Weltmuseum Wien

The Weltmuseum Wien (World Museum Vienna), known until 2013 as the Museum für Völkerkunde (Museum of Ethnology), is a major ethnological museum housed in the historic Hofburg. Its holdings date back to the 16th century, when the first objects were collected in the Habsburg cabinets of art and curiosities. Over time, the collection grew through numerous expeditions and journeys, including those of the world circumnavigator James Cook, the naturalist Johann Natterer, and the Austrian frigate Novara. The personal collection of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne, which he assembled on a trip around the world, was also added to the holdings. After several phases of renovation and closures, the museum reopened in 2017 under its new name and today presents its treasures across roughly 3,900 square meters (about 42,000 square feet) of exhibition space.

The collection comprises more than 250,000 ethnographic objects from every continent, complemented by an extensive photo collection and a library. You can marvel at works from Africa, Asia, South America, and Oceania. Highlights include pre-Columbian featherwork, among it the last surviving feather crown from the time of Montezuma, as well as bronzes from the West African Kingdom of Benin. The museum organizes its exhibits into nine thematic collections, ranging from North and Central America to Oceania and Australia. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that shed light on current issues and cultural connections.

An important aspect of the museum's work today is its engagement with the colonial history of the collection. Because many artifacts come from former European colonies, the Weltmuseum is active in provenance research and discusses questions of restitution. An expert panel has been established to review possible returns of objects. The museum sees itself not only as a repository of historical pieces but also as a place for reflecting on cultural identities and global interconnections. Since February 2025, Claudia Banz has led the museum and continues the work of redesigning the displays and scholarly cataloging of the holdings.