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Vienna Crime Museum: Delving into the Dark Side

Uncover Vienna's dark past: a chilling journey through crime, punishment, and law enforcement history in the heart of Leopoldstadt.

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Explore Vienna's grim history of crime and punishment at the Vienna Crime Museum, housed in the historic Seifensiederhaus. Discover artifacts, crime scene photos, and stories of notorious criminals from the Middle Ages to the present day.

A brief summary to Vienna Crime Museum

  • Monday 10 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-5 pm
  • Friday 10 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Consider purchasing the audio guide for a more in-depth understanding of the exhibits, especially if you don't speak German.
  • Be prepared for graphic and potentially disturbing content; this museum is not for the faint of heart.
  • Allocate at least one hour to fully explore the museum's 20 rooms and extensive collection.
  • Visit during the morning hours to avoid crowds due to the small and narrow corridors.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From the city center, take the U2 U-Bahn line to Taborstraße station. From there, walk along Kleine Pfarrgasse, which branches off Obere Augartenstraße, until you reach Große Sperlgasse. Turn left, and the museum will be on your left. A single U-Bahn ticket costs €2.40.

  • Walking

    From the Inner City center, cross the Danube Canal and walk up Hollandgasse, which branches off north from Obere Donaustraße. Proceed past the Karmelitermarkt food market and turn right onto Haidgasse. Große Sperlgasse is the next street, and you'll see the museum on your left.

  • Driving

    Drive towards the city center and then to Große Sperlgasse 24, 1020 Wien. Parking in the immediate vicinity is limited. Consider parking in a nearby garage, such as those near Praterstern, which typically charge around €3-€5 per hour. Be aware of short-term parking zones (Kurzparkzonen) where fees apply.

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Discover more about Vienna Crime Museum

Venture into the shadowy depths of Vienna's past at the Crime Museum (Wiener Kriminalmuseum), a unique institution dedicated to exploring the city's dark history of crime and law enforcement. Located in the heart of Leopoldstadt, the museum resides within the Seifensiederhaus, a building dating back to 1685, adding a layer of historical intrigue to the captivating exhibits. Originally established as the Imperial and Royal Police Museum in 1899, the museum showcases a comprehensive collection of artifacts, documents, and crime scene photographs that chronicle the evolution of crime and law enforcement in Vienna. From medieval torture devices to notorious criminals of the 20th century, the museum offers a chilling glimpse into the darker side of Viennese society. Exhibits are arranged chronologically, guiding visitors through different eras of Viennese crime history, from the Middle Ages to the modern day. One of the most striking aspects of the museum is its collection of medieval torture devices. These gruesome instruments serve as a stark reminder of the brutal methods used to extract confessions and punish criminals in centuries past. Moving forward, the museum explores the evolution of law enforcement in Vienna, including early police uniforms, weapons, and forensic tools. Visitors can also delve into some of Vienna's most infamous criminal cases and political crimes, such as the assassination of War Minister Latour and the OPEC siege in 1975. The museum also presents reports of murders from the Middle Ages to the present day. The spectrum ranges from criminal cases like murder by poisoning and jealousy murders to Austria's best-known serial killer Jack Unterweger. After exploring the museum's unsettling exhibits, visitors can find respite in the Old Viennese-style café located in the building's courtyard.

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