The
Austrian Army
History Museum ("Heeresgeschichtliches Museum") in Vienna,
just next to the South Train Station ("Südbahnhof")
has a very extensive collection
of uniforms, weapons and militaria. It was
the first purpose built museum in Vienna and claims to be the oldest
purpose built military history museum in the world having been
started in 1850. The Museum covers the Austrian Army and Navy from
the 17th Century up until 1945 and also shows exhibits from
Austria's allies and enemies during that time. These days the museum
quite rightly tries not to glorify war and its motto is "Wars belong
in Museums".
Amongst the many exhibits
are standards of the Austro-Hungarian army going back to the time of
Empress Maria Theresa, uniforms belonging to the Hapsburg royal family and
the car in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in
Sarajevo.
The museum is housed in
the old Arsenal of the Imperial army. For updated details of
opening times, entry prices and further information see the official
website-
Heeresgeschichtliches Museum
Arsenal Objekt 1
A-1030 Wien
|