The MuseumsQuartier (MQ) is a cultural complex located in Vienna, Austria. It is one of the largest cultural spaces in the world, with 60,000 square meters of area. It is situated in the seventh district of the city, near the old town.
The MuseumsQuartier houses a variety of buildings, from baroque architecture to modern design. It was built on the site of the former imperial court stables, which were designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and his son Joseph Emanuel. The construction started in April 1998 and lasted three years. The total cost was 150 million euros, and the MuseumsQuartier was inaugurated in June 2001.
The MuseumsQuartier hosts a wide range of facilities, from large art museums such as the Leopold Museum and the Mumok (Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation Vienna), to temporary exhibition spaces for contemporary art such as the Kunsthalle Wien, a dance center -the Tanzquartier-, or studios for resident artists and production studios. There are also many events that take place at the MQ, such as the Wiener Festwochen (Vienna cultural festival), the Vienna International Film Festival, or the ImPulsTanz Vienna International Dance Festival.
To visit the MuseumsQuartier, you can buy a ticket online or at the ticket office. The ticket prices vary depending on the museum or exhibition you want to see. You can also buy a combined ticket that gives you access to several museums or exhibitions. The MQ is open every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, except on some holidays. You can check the opening hours and days on the official website.
To get to the MuseumsQuartier, you can use public transportation or walk from the city center. The nearest subway stations are Museumsquartier (U2 line) and Volkstheater (U2 and U3 lines). There are also several bus and tram stops nearby. You can also rent a bike or use a car-sharing service to reach the MQ.
Some tips and tours for visiting the MuseumsQuartier are:
- Take advantage of the free guided tours that are offered every Saturday at 3:00 pm. You can learn more about the history and architecture of the MQ and its museums.
- Enjoy the outdoor areas of the MQ, where you can relax on colorful furniture, play games, or have a drink or a snack at one of the cafes or bars.
- Explore the artistic passages that connect different parts of the MQ, such as the Literaturpassage, the TONSPUR_passage, the KABINETT comic passage, or the Street Art Passage.
- Visit some of the other attractions that are close to the MQ, such as the Hofburg Palace, the Parliament, or the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Some prohibitions for visiting the MuseumsQuartier are:
- Do not touch or damage any artworks or exhibits.
- Do not smoke inside any buildings or near any artworks or exhibits.
- Do not bring any pets, except for guide dogs.
- Do not take photos or videos without permission from the museum staff.
- Do not disturb other visitors or cause any noise or nuisance.
Some of the most interesting things to see at the MuseumsQuartier are:
- The Leopold Museum, which has a large collection of Austrian art from the 19th and 20th centuries, including works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and Richard Gerstl.
- The Mumok, which has a comprehensive collection of modern and contemporary art from various movements and styles, such as Expressionism, Surrealism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Conceptual Art, and Postmodernism.
- The Kunsthalle Wien, which showcases temporary exhibitions of contemporary art from local and international artists, with a focus on current social and political issues.
- The ZOOM Kindermuseum (Children’s Museum), which offers interactive and educational activities for children aged 0 to 14 years old, such as workshops, games, experiments, and exhibitions.
