The Jewish Museum of the City of Vienna

In 1895 the first Jewish Museum was founded in Vienna, it was the first in the world. Immediately after “the Anschluss” in 1938, the museum was closed by the National Socialists. Two weeks after Kurt Waldheim’s election victory, Mayor Helmut Zilk announced the foundation of a Jewish museum in Vienna on the occasion of the opening of the exhibition “Vienna 1900” at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Founding of the Museum

In 1988, the Jewish Museum of the City of Vienna GmbH was founded, and on March 7, 1990, the first exhibition took place in a temporary location – the former festival hall of the Jewish Community. Finally, in 1993, the new museum location in Palais Eskeles was opened in the presence of Vienna-born Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek.

Then to now

The Jewish Museum Vienna is a place of encounter, debate, and understanding, where awareness of Jewish history, religion, and culture is created. In addition to the permanent exhibition “Our City! Jewish Vienna to the Present,” which highlights Jewish Vienna from the Middle Ages to the present, it offers temporary exhibitions on various topics such as Jewish literature, architecture, photography, or art.

The museum shop offers everyday design from Israel and an extensive book program and special museum souvenirs. The museum café invites you to take a break with Israeli and Mediterranean dishes or homemade pastries.

Your Benefit with EasyCityPass Vienna: 2€ on the regular admission fee

Location