Albertina in Vienna is one of the most visited museums in the Austrian capital. It is believed that the gallery contains the largest collection of world masterpieces of painting, printed graphics. Judge for yourself – the exposition totals almost a million works performed in the art of painting, as well as 50 thousand drawings made in other techniques. The works presented cover the period from the Middle Ages to the present day. The exposition contains paintings by Michelangilo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Rubens and hundreds of other masters.
Story
Prince of Savoy, known as a great admirer of painted artwork, marked the beginning of the history of the gallery in Vienna. Duke Albert continued the undertaking. At the end of the 10th century, he bought a castle, where the museum is located today. He placed his art collection there. Soon the emperor gave the museum another 370 paintings by Dürer. At the beginning of the 19th century, the area of the castle was increased, residential quarters and exhibition rooms were allocated.
Interesting fact! The official opening date of the gallery is considered to be 1822. It is noteworthy that from the first days the visit was available to everyone, while other museums were available only to upper echelons of society.
Before his death, the duke made a will, where he forbade to share the collection, sell it or donate it. After the death of the founder of the Albertina Museum in Vienna, the palace and works of art were transferred to his son. He continued the work of his father – the collection was replenished with new copies, and the interior was decorated with antique furniture in the olden Empire style. At the same time, a new parquet was made for all chambers.
In the middle of the 19th century the castle was restored. The rococo chambers appeared, and the facade is decorated in classical style. A fountain was built in front of the museum, and a sculptural composition was installed above it.
Another interesting fact! The last owner of the gallery of the Habsburg family was Archduke Friedrich. Under him there was made a Spanish room in the museum.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, the castle and the collection belonged to the Habsburgs, but in 1919 the attraction became state property and was called “Albertina”. Archduke Frederick was expelled to Hungary and, despite the last will of the Duke of Albert, he was allowed to take part of the collection with him. Classrooms for training, storage facilities and offices were placed in empty halls.
During the war, the museum building was thoroughly damaged, but at the end of the 20th century, the authorities decided to return the building to its original form. For this, it was closed in 1996 and opened only in 2003. Foreign specialists were involved in the repair and reconstruction of the museum, and specialists from the Monument Protection Agency and representatives of the Austrian cabinet coordinated the work. The updated gallery opened in 2007. Of course, the attraction has acquired some modern elements – an elevator, an escalator, with which you can climb the bastion. After the reconstruction, a fountain began to work.
Good to know! Today, the doors of two dozen ceremonial halls are open for guests. Each of them recreates the historical interior of the Louis XIV era.
Albertina Museum in Vienna – Masterpieces and Collections
Perhaps the Albertina Gallery in Vienna is the best demonstration of the evolution of painted art. The museum’s collection can rightly be called unique and diverse. Exhibition halls demonstrate a consistent collection across historical period from the Gothic era to the present.
In 2007, the gallery received a large collection of masterpieces of classical Art Nouveau. In addition, the works of Renoir, Matisse, Cezanne were transferred to the gallery for permanent storage. A special place in the exposition is occupied by a collection of works by Russian authors – Popov, Filonov, Malevich. A German banker presented to the museum a collection of works by famous modernists: Chagall, Kandinsky.
The gallery features a permanent exhibition of works by outstanding masters of painting. There are also thematic occasional exhibitions dedicated to the work of a particular master.
Note! In addition, the building houses the National Library’s music collection and houses the Austrian cinema museum. In the palace you can visit the library, reading room, souvenir shop, restaurant. The store at the gallery sells souvenirs, books on paintings, catalogs of paintings and graphics, jewelry.
By the way, the palace, where the exposition is presented, is the largest residence of the Habsburgs. The building is located on the bastion wall of Vienna, in the very center of the city.
It is noteworthy that all the halls are decorated in chronological order and are dedicated to a particular school. Here are presented only the most popular and outstanding world masterpieces. You can admire the unique works of Italian artists of the Renaissance and Renaissance. The most valuable masterpieces of the Dutch school of painting are drawings by Peter Brueghel. The exhibition halls of the gallery are decorated with famous engravings by the hands of Francisco Goya.
Interesting fact! Monarch Albert especially appreciated French art, so most of the collection is devoted to the works of French masters – Boucher, Lorrain.
In the first half of the 20th century, the Vienna authorities focused on increasing the museum fund with the works of French and German masters of the 19th century. As a result, a permanent exhibition entitled “From Monet to Picasso” was opened.
The period of the second half of the 20th century is represented mainly by the works of masters from Germany and America.
The architectural collection also deserves close attention. The exposition is represented by a variety of drawings, mock-ups, which were taken from the fund of the Imperial Residence.
The tourist halls are of great interest too. Earlier, Archduchess Marie Cristine lived here, then they were occupied by her adopted son, who became famous for his victory over Napoleon’s troops. The rooms are decorated in yellow, green, turquoise tones, richly furnished with antique furniture. The interior of the halls takes connoisseurs of art and tourism to the era of palaces, kings and balls.
Practical information
- The Vienna Museum is located at Albertinaplatz 1.
- Schedule: daily from 10-00 to 18-00, on Wednesday – from 10-00 to 21-00.
- The cost of visiting: for adults 12.9 EUR, for pensioners – 9.9 EUR, for students – 8.5 EUR, tourists under the age of 19 visit the attraction for free.
- Three times a week public tours are conducted for guests. On such days you can visit only one exhibition, the price of such excursions is 4 EUR.
- The price of a group excursion (for a group of more than 15 people) is 9.9 EUR.
- Detailed information on the gallery exposition, ticket prices and schedule of visits is presented on the portal: info@albertina.at.
How to get to the Albertina Museum
The museum is located in the central part of Vienna. Nearby locations: Opera House, Hofburg Palace. An elevator and an escalator lead to the entrance. You will have to overcome 11 meters.
If you are traveling by car, follow the signs for Kärntner Str. Near the museum there are paid parking lots. There are also many taxi services in Vienna.
It is easy to get to the museum in Vienna by public transport. Near the attraction is the Karlsplatz metro station, where trains of U1, U2, U4 lines arrive. Stephansplatz station is not too far either and trains of U3 line come here. Albertina bus stop 2A. There are two tram stops near the museum: Badner Bahn or Kärntner Ring, Oper. You can get there by trams 1, 2, 62, 71 and D.
Interesting Facts
- The Albertina Gallery is the most visited in the Austrian capital.
- The museum always has several exhibitions open – in addition to the regular thematic exhibitions are regularly presented.
- The time period of the masterpieces presented in the gallery covers 130 years.
- A unique element of the museum’s interior is the parquet which was made to order and decorated with pink and ebony.
- The gallery has a barrier-free environment.
Practical recommendations
- Tickets for visiting a museum in Vienna are best bought online in advance. The fact is that there are two ticket offices near the entrance – one for buying online tickets, the second for buying regular tickets. The line at the online cash register is much smaller and moves faster.
- Inside there is a wardrobe and cells for storing personal belongings. The latter is a paid service.
- The presented works can be photographed, it is also allowed to come close to the works in order to observe all the details.
- For the convenience of visitors in each room there are benches.
- There is Wi-Fi in the museum, but it is paid.
- Audio guides in various languages are available in the gallery. A mobile guide will tell you in detail about all the works and authors. The cost of the service is 4 EUR.
- The restaurant and cafe and the museum are open every day from 9-00 to midnight.
Enthusiastic reviews about the museum in Vienna are left by art lovers and tourists who are not versed in painting, but appreciate art. Many describe the exposition as excellent, highly valuing the level of service. Visitors note a special sense of comfort that arises in the bright, sun-filled rooms of the Albertina Museum (Vienna).
Video: walk through the Albertina Museum, a tour through the eyes of a tourist.
