Furniture Museum Vienna: A Royal Collection

The Furniture Museum Vienna (Möbelmuseum Wien) offers a fascinating glimpse into the domestic life of Austria's imperial family, the Habsburgs. Founded by Empress Maria Theresa in the mid-18th century as the Court Furniture Depository, the museum evolved from a storage facility into one of the world's most extensive furniture collections. Located in the 7th district of Neubau, the museum's collection boasts over 160,000 items spanning five centuries. Visitors can explore a wide range of furniture styles, including Baroque, Biedermeier, Historicism, and Viennese Modernism. The museum showcases not only furniture but also carpets, chandeliers, paintings, and tableware, offering a comprehensive view of imperial living. Highlights include furniture from Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) and Emperor Franz Joseph, as well as pieces designed by renowned architects like Adolf Loos, Josef Hoffmann and Otto Wagner. Don't miss the special exhibitions that focus on 20th-century architecture and design. The museum also provides a look at the making of the Sissi films from the 1950s, displaying original furniture used in the movies. The museum's origins lie in the Habsburgs' practice of furnishing their residences according to their personal tastes and the styles of the time. When a new member of the family moved into a palace, they brought their own furniture, and the older pieces were relegated to storage. This resulted in a vast collection that now provides a unique window into the history of Viennese cabinet making and interior decoration.