Albertina Museum

Albertina is an important art museum in Vienna, whose extensive collection of drawings and prints was started by Duke Albert of Saxen-Teschen, who moved his personal collection to the palace. Later on, Genoese count Giacomo Durazzo gifted collection of 1,000 various pieces of art to the Duke and collection was then well established.

Today, this art museum hosts about 65,000 drawings and one million master prints in its collections, together with few collections of impressionists and early 20^th century art pieces.

The museum was transferred from Habsburgs to Austrian state in 1919 and name Albertina was first used in 1921. Before that, the palace was referred officially as Palais Erzherzog Albrecht.

The building was heavily damaged at the end of WWII, in 1945, and it was finally fully refurbished and redesigned in the period of 1998-2003.

Facts, figures and visitor info

The Albertina Museum in Vienna is a renowned institution housing one of the largest and most important print rooms in the world, alongside a significant collection of modern art. Here are detailed facts, figures, and visitor information:

Facts and Figures

History and Architecture

• Founded: The Albertina was founded in 1776 by Duke Albert of Saxen-Teschen, who was married to Maria Christina, the daughter of Empress Maria Theresa.
• Building: The museum is located in the Albertina Palace, a grand neoclassical structure that was initially built as part of the Hofburg Palace complex in the 17th century.
• Restoration: The building underwent major renovations and expansions in the early 2000s, reopening in 2003 with modern facilities.

Collections

• Graphic Art Collection: The museum’s collection includes approximately 65,000 drawings and 1 million prints, featuring works from artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Albrecht Dürer, and Rembrandt.
• Modern Art: The Albertina also houses an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by Picasso, Monet, Degas, and Chagall.
• Photographic Collection: The museum boasts a significant collection of photographs spanning the history of the medium.
• Architecture Collection: Includes plans, models, and drawings from architects such as Adolf Loos and Otto Wagner.

Permanent Exhibitions

• Monet to Picasso: This exhibition showcases masterpieces from the Batliner Collection, highlighting the evolution of modern art.
• The Albertina Graphic Art Collection: Features rotating displays of its vast collection of drawings and prints.
• The State Rooms: The opulent Habsburg State Rooms, which have been meticulously restored, offer a glimpse into the imperial past of the building.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

• Daily: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Wednesdays and Fridays: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Admission Fees

• Adults: €16.90
• Seniors (65+): €11.90
• Students (under 26): €11.90
• Children and Youth (under 19): Free
• Groups: Discounted rates for groups of 15 or more
• Annual Pass: €59 for unlimited entry

Guided Tours

• Availability: Guided tours are offered in various languages and cover different themes and collections.
• Duration: Typically 60 to 90 minutes
• Booking: Tours can be booked in advance online or at the museum’s ticket counter.
• Price: Generally around €5 to €6 per person, in addition to the admission fee.

Facilities and Services

• Accessibility: The museum is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities, including elevators and ramps.
• Cloakroom and Lockers: Free cloakroom service and lockers are available for storing bags and coats.
• Cafés and Restaurants: The museum has a café offering a range of beverages and snacks.
• Museum Shop: Offers a variety of books, prints, souvenirs, and gifts related to the museum’s collections and exhibitions.
• Audio Guides: Available for rent in several languages, providing detailed commentary on the exhibitions.

How to Get There

• Address: Albertinaplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria
• Public Transport:
  • Subway (U-Bahn): Lines U1, U2, and U4 to “Karlsplatz” station
  • Tram: Lines 1, 2, D, and 62 to “Oper/Karlsplatz” stop
  • Bus: Lines 2A and 3A to “Albertina” stop
• Walking: Located in the heart of Vienna, it is within walking distance from many central attractions like St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Vienna State Opera.

Visitor Tips

• Peak Hours: To avoid crowds, visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon, especially on weekends.
• Plan Your Visit: Check the museum’s website for current exhibitions and any special events or closures.
• Photography: Non-flash photography is allowed in most areas, but be sure to check specific rules for each exhibition.
• Combine Visits: Consider combining your visit with nearby attractions such as the Hofburg Palace and the Vienna State Opera for a full day of cultural exploration.

Since March 2020, there is another location of the museum – Albertina Modern Museum, where modern artworks (approximately 60,000 pieces) from around 5,000 artists is on a display.

Albertina Modern Museum is a 10-minute walk from Albertina.

Apart from drawings and prints, collections also include paintings and sculptures, photography, architecture plans, studies, and models, and state rooms on display. In architectural plans, there a re works from Adolf Loos, Fischer von Erlach and Otto Wagner.

Permanent collections cover the most important art movements of the past 130 years ranging from French impressionism to German expressionism through the Russian avantgarde and the present-day art.

Permanent collections include the Batliner collection of art named “from Monet to Picasso” (Herbert and Rita Batliner, famous art lover couple donated their art collections to Albertina in 2007). Museum’s temporary collections are also very diverse and valuable, where pieces from Van Gogh, Matisse and Cézanne can be seen regularly.

Monet’s “Water Lily Pond”, Degas’ “Dancers” and Renoir’s “Girl” are few of spectacular works of art on display, together with paintings by Beckmann, Macke, Chagall, Malevich, Rothko, Rainer and Katz.

Famous drawings of Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer are also on display in several galleries. There are several artworks of Picasso, including Woman in a Green Hat (Frau mit grünem Hut).

There are 22 state rooms fully renovated and styled in their original design from early 19th century. These rooms were actually used and being occupied by members of the Habsburg family. What is exciting is that you can rent a space in the museum for a cocktail party, fancy meeting or a wedding reception and celebrate your day in style!

To complete your genuine Vienna experience when visiting the art museum, you should have a lunch or coffee and a cake in adjacent Do&Co restaurant.

Conclusion

The Albertina Museum is a must-visit destination in Vienna, offering an unparalleled collection of graphic art, modern masterpieces, and stunning state rooms. With its rich history, diverse collections, and excellent visitor facilities, the Albertina provides a comprehensive and enriching cultural experience.