Weltmuseum Wien
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- Weltmuseum Wien
The Weltmuseum Wien (formerly the Museum of Ethnology) is an ethnological museum in Vienna’s Hofburg district.It houses collections from every continent.It also has a library, an archive, and a significant photographic collection.
The Museum of Ethnology is a treasure trove of anthropological wonders in Vienna, which is famed for its cultural and intellectual legacy. When you enter, you go on a trip across countries and across time, immersing yourself in the diverse civilizations that have made our planet.
The ethnographic collection of the museum has approximately 200,000 artefacts that have been expertly curated to highlight the width and depth of human expression. Each relic tells a narrative, whispering echoes of long-forgotten civilizations and demonstrating our forefathers’ brilliance.
The museum’s dedication to study and knowledge is reflected in its meticulous recording and preservation techniques. Scholars, historians, and anthropologists are drawn to the institution’s archives, where they discover a wealth of information waiting to be discovered.
Visitors are attracted by the architectural marvel of the Vienna Museum of Ethnology’s combination of contemporary architecture and timeless charm. The façade of the building represents the institution’s purpose to reconcile the past and present, serving as a tangible manifestation of the cultural discussions that take place within.
When you go inside, you are surrounded by a symphony of colors, sensations, and noises. The meticulously constructed displays at the museum transport you to different locations, encouraging you to participate in the rituals, rites, and customs of many cultures. Every exhibition, from the South American jungles to the African deserts, reveals a fresh chapter in the human saga.
The visitor is engulfed in a peaceful environment in the Hall of Religions, where sacred relics and spiritual artifacts provide views into the world’s religious traditions. This reflective place promotes reflection and a better understanding of the various ways in which humans seek meaning and connection.
The exhibition Global Village highlights the complex fabric of human existence by presenting the customs, artistry, and innovation of communities across the world. Visitors may interact with artists, see ancient customs, and appreciate the beauty of cultural heritage firsthand during this immersive experience.
The museum’s commitment to inclusion and discourse cannot be overlooked. The Museum of Ethnology promotes dialogues about cultural variety, challenges stereotypes, and builds empathy and respect for everyone through temporary exhibitions, talks, and workshops. It provides a venue for visitors to engage in critical dialogue, challenging their own ideas and widening their viewpoint.
To dive further into the museum’s huge collection, visitors can visit the Research Library, a knowledge haven that has a wide collection of books, periodicals, and manuscripts. Researchers can enhance their studies and contribute to the ongoing scientific conversation on cultural anthropology and ethnology here.
No trip to the Museum of Ethnology is complete without sampling the gastronomic pleasures of its on-site café. Its cuisine features a blend of world flavors, allowing visitors to appreciate the culinary richness that complements the museum’s cultural tapestry. Such encounters provide a visceral immersion into humanity’s interconnectivity.
Collections
The museum’s holdings include nearly 200,000 ethnographic artefacts from throughout the world, 100,000 pictures, and 146,000 printed works. Mexican artifacts, such as a unique Aztec feathered headdress; a portion of James Cook’s collection of Polynesian and Northwest Coast art (purchased in 1806); numerous Benin bronzes; Charles von Hügel’s collection from India, Southeast Asia, and China; collections from the Austrian Brazil Expedition; artifacts collected during the SMS Novara’s circumnavigation of the globe; and two of the remaining rongorongo tablets.
The most renowned artifact at the museum is a feathered headdress that is said to have belonged to Moctezuma II, the Aztec monarch during the Spanish Conquest. This has caused disagreements between the Mexican and Austrian administrations. The Spanish took it as war loot in the 16th century, and Austria bought it from France in 1880.
The Weltmuseum Wien houses nine collections:
- Africa southern of the Sahara
- North Africa, Near East, Central Asia and Siberia
- East Asia: Korea, China, Japan
- South, SE Asia, Himalayas
- Insular Southeast Asia
- South America
- Oceania and Australia
- North and Central America
- photo collection
Working Hours
- Monday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Tuesday 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Wednesday Day Off
- Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location / Contacts
- Address : Heldenplatz, 1010 Wien, Austria
- Phone : +431534305052
- Mail : info@weltmuseumwien.at
- Website : http://www.weltmuseumwien.at/
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