Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection

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Kunsthistorisches Museum: Traces of the World´s Fair

Travel back in time to ancient Egypt and follow in the footsteps of the 1873 World's Fair - both at the same time. This is possible at the Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection of the Kunsthistorischen Museum Wien (KHM). How, you may wonder? In the 1840s, the magnificent tomb of nomarch Chnum-hotep II (around 1870 BC) was discovered in Middle Egypt.

In the form of an enlarged replica, the tomb was then displayed as part of the 1873 Vienna World´s Fair. Particularly the imposing reproductions of the wall and ceiling paintings were considered fascinating. Visitors of the World´s Fair became acquainted with something completely new, especially from a visual point of view.

Years later, in 1891, when the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna was opened, it was obvious to use these wall and ceiling paintings to decorate the Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection.

For 130 years now, the collection has been captivating visitors with its unique features. In addition to three original Egyptian monolithic columns, which are over six meters high, it also includes the reproductions of the wall paintings from the nomarch´s tomb.

But time has left its mark, the wall tapestries and ceiling paintings were in poor condition, which is why they were comprehensively restored and subjected to scientific examination for the first time, in 2021. Today, they are considered a fantastic sight again and, of course, a perfect example of the far-reaching traces left in Vienna of the 1873 World's Fair.

Insights into fascinating research

Restoration of wall and ceiling paintings in the Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection

Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum)

Maria-Theresien-Platz
1010 Vienna
  • Vienna City Card

    • Your benefit with the Vienna City Card: -5%

      Additional information on the offer:

      Standard ticket price: 21€ /
      Savings: 1 € /
      Audioguide 5€ instead of 6€

  • Opening times

    • Tu, 10:00 - 18:00
    • We, 10:00 - 18:00
    • Th, 10:00 - 21:00
    • Fr, 10:00 - 18:00
    • Sa, 10:00 - 18:00
    • Su, 10:00 - 18:00
    • Open daily from June to August as well as from October, 8 2024 until January, 6 2025.

  • Accessibility

    • Main entrance
      • 5 Steps (Double swinging doors 300 cm wide)
        on Maria-Theresien-Platz, no ramp
    • Side entrance

      • on Maria-Theresien-Platz, no ramp
    • Car parks Main entrance
      • 5 Parking spaces for people with disabilities
        on Heldenplatz
    • Elevator available
      • Door 99 cm wide
    • Further information
      • Wheelchair accessible restroom available.
    • Special offers for people with disabilities

      Wheelchair rental possible (please reserve one day in advance). Guided tours for visitors with special needs as well as tactile tours for the blind and visually impaired on request (Tel. +43 1 525 24-5202). Three masterpieces of the Renaissance collection of the painting gallery, selected objects of the Kunstkammer, the Egyptian-Oriental collection and the collection of antiquities are available to the blind and visually impaired as castings for touching. A brochure with image descriptions of this in Braille is available. The Kunsthistorisches Museum offers workshops for people with dementia (Tel. +41 1 525 24-5202 or email: kunstvermittlung@khm.at) Wheelchair users who visit the museum via Burgring 5 can purchase their tickets at the shop in the lobby.

    • Comments

      The museum is a place of encounter and sensory perception and offers plenty of opportunity to stimulate vistors and motivate them to interact with one another by looking at art together and then getting creative themselves.
      Induction loop available at the audio guide stand.

      http://www.khm.at/en/learn/kunstvermittlung/inclusive-art-education

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