Literature Museum Vienna

Literature Museum of the Austrian National Library

The Literature Museum of the Austrian National Library invites you on a journey of discovery through Austrian literature. Here, visitors encounter not only the works of Thomas Bernhard, Franz Kafka or Friederike Mayröcker, but also the colorful and international facet of Austrian literary history.

Names such as Johann Nestroy, Arthur Schnitzler, Franz Kafka, Ilse Aichinger, Ingeborg Bachmann or Thomas Bernhard - just a few of the names of important Austrian authors - can also be found in the Vienna Literature Museum. Original sources and media stations allow visitors to experience the diversity of Austrian literature - from the 18th century to the present day. With EasyCityPass Vienna, you receive a €1 discount on the regular ticket price.*

Former Austro-Hungarian Exchequer Archive

The magnificent building, which once housed the Imperial and Royal Court Chamber Archives, now forms the setting for the Literature Museum. The historical archive shelves form an exciting contrast to the modern exhibition architecture. Franz Grillparzer served as archive director here, and his study, which has been faithfully preserved, provides deep insights into the life and work of the Austrian author. This historic place, which was converted into an archive in the revolutionary year of 1848, not only tells the story of the building but also that of many important writers and their works.

Exhibitions at the Vienna Literature Museum

A thematic and historical tour through Austrian literature awaits you at the Vienna Literature Museum. The permanent exhibition presents a variety of media and objects that bring literary works and their creation to life. From the writing process to the presentation in the context of film, music, painting, and graphics, everything is covered that makes up literature and brings it into connection with other arts. The permanent exhibition includes texts and amazing objects that build a bridge between the past and the present. Discover manuscripts and first editions as well as curiosities such as Elfriede Gerstl's hats or Peter Handke's walking stick.

The special exhibitions on the 3rd-floor offer changing perspectives on literature and its intertwining with culture and society. The museum itself, recognized as a great museum, enriches Vienna's literary heritage and provides a central space for the exploration of texts and ideas. The Vienna Literature Museum, a jewel in the Viennese cultural landscape, presents a rich collection of literary treasures alongside permanent and special exhibitions. It honors literary creation through interactive media stations that invite visitors to immerse themselves in the world of words and stories. The museum serves as a lively meeting place for literature lovers, offering space for dialog and creative workshops and keeping the flame of literary enthusiasm alive. With its central location, it is an indispensable part of the cultural heart of Vienna, honoring the literary past while helping to shape the literary future.

Your Benefit with EasyCityPass Vienna: 1 € discount on the regular ticket price*

*The discount is to be redeemed on the spot at the cash desk.