State Hall of the Austrian National Library

What is the State Hall in Vienna?

The State Hall of the Austrian National Library on Josefsplatz is the main Baroque hall and ranks among the most beautiful historic library rooms in the world. The Habsburg Emperor Charles VI (1685–1740) had this jewel of secular Baroque architecture built for his court library. The hall, which is over 77 meters long, was constructed between 1723 and 1726 based on designs by the famous court architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach.

Heart of the National Library

At the heart of the impressive baroque library hall is the 30-metre-high oval dome. Time stands still when you lean your head back to take in the magnificent dome fresco by Daniel Gran. It depicts both the allegorical story of the construction of the court library and the "becoming God" (the apotheosis) of Emperor Charles VI.

How many books are housed in the State Hall?

The State Hall contains approximately 200,000 valuable books published between 1501 and 1850. This makes the State Hall home to one of the world’s most significant historical book collections.

Current Exhibition Schedule

You can find the current exhibition program for the State Hall of the Austrian National Library on the website.

Venetian globes

The four magnificent globes from Venice, each over one meter in diameter, are another landmark of the hall. They complement the collection of valuable volumes and underscore the encyclopedic scope of the former court library. The combination of dark walnut wood, stone floors, and gold-decorated elements creates an opulent setting for the valuable books and works of art stored here.

Are guided tours offered?

Yes, the State Hall offers public and private guided tours as well as special themed tours—including, currently, the interactive “Power of Love” tours accompanying the special exhibition.

How much time should I set aside for the visit?

You should set aside 30 to 60 minutes to visit the State Hall. If you want to explore the special exhibition and the globes in detail, you should plan on spending a full hour.

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.