The State Hall and five museums in the heart of Vienna

The Austrian National Library is not only the largest library in the country, but also offers you permanent presentations and diverse special exhibitions in the State Hall and the museums – the Literature, Papyrus, Globe and Esperanto Museum and the House of Austrian History.

» State Hall

Immerse yourself in Baroque splendour: the State Hall (located directly at Josefsplatz) forms the heart of the Austrian National Library. It is one of the most beautiful library halls in the world. Emperor Charles VI (1685/1711–1740) ordered the construction of this jewel of profane Baroque architecture for his Court Library.

Now, the 300-year-old Baroque splendour is getting a makeover: the State Hall will therefore be closed for restoration work from 1 July to 31 December 2022. As a digital substitute and to bridge the waiting time, the State Hall can be visited while the work is being carried out as part of a new » 360-degree online tour.

Details of the extensive restoration process can be followed » here at regular intervals.  

» Literature Museum

The Literature Museum is the first museum that conveys the diversity and polyphony of Austrian literature from the end of the 18th century until the present day. 
Current exhibition: » Stefan Zweig. World Author

» Globe Museum

Over 250 globes and globe-related instruments such as armillary sphere, planetaria and telluria await you in the Globe Museum. The adjacent study collection possesses the oldest globe within the exhibition.

» Papyrus Museum

There are around 400 items for you to discover in the Papyrus Museum: from the oldest papyri in the collection from the 15th cantury B.C. to the most recent papers from the Islamic time in the 16th century A.D.
Current exhibition: » Crescent moon over the Nile: how Byzantine Egypt became Arab

» Esperanto Museum

The Esperanto Museum of the Austrian National Library provides you, through a modern museum concept covering 80 m2, the eventful history of Esperanto and also focuses generally on the relationship between humans and language.

» House of Austrian History

The republic’s first museum of contemporary history: Presented in a modern and insightful way, the new museum invites visitors to the Hofburg to examine and discuss Austria’s history