Literature Museum Vienna: Austrian Writers & Manuscripts

The Literature Museum of the Austrian National Library is housed in a historically important building, the Baroque Grillparzerhaus near Vienna's city center. Within its walls, history, literature and multimedia staging come together to create a unique experience for literature lovers and culture enthusiasts. The permanent exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of the development of Austrian literature from the 18th century to the present, focusing on major writers such as Franz Grillparzer, Ingeborg Bachmann, Thomas Bernhard and Elias Canetti.

Original manuscripts, typescripts with handwritten notes, historical photographs and the authors' personal belongings give deep insight into their work. Interactive stations make the museum exciting for younger visitors too, for example with listening stations or digital text analyses. There are also regular temporary exhibitions and events such as readings and discussions with contemporary authors, keeping the Literature Museum a lively platform for literary exchange.

A special tip: the historic studies of some authors have been faithfully reconstructed and can be visited. The stylish building itself, with its elegant library atmosphere and its architectural blend of Baroque and modern, rounds off the visit. The museum's central location also makes it easy to reach and ideal to combine with a walk to the Hofburg or through the city center. The Literature Museum is a quiet, inspiring space that delights not only bookworms but also anyone interested in cultural history.

Highlights

- Original manuscripts by famous authors
- Interactive multimedia stations on literature
- Reconstructed historic studies

wheelchair accessible
Wi-Fi available
central location
kid-friendly
air-conditioned

Address: Vienna, Austria
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Highlights include original manuscripts by major authors, multimedia stations on literary history and reconstructed historic studies such as Franz Grillparzer's.

Yes, admission costs about €7 for adults. Reduced tickets are available for students, seniors and with the Vienna City Card (Wien-Karte). Admission is free for visitors under 19.

The Literature Museum is centrally located at Johannesgasse 6 and is easy to reach on the U1, U2 and U4 (Karlsplatz station) and on tram line 2.

The best time to visit is a weekday morning, when it is usually quiet. Keep an eye out for current special exhibitions; they often offer surprising perspectives!

For a thorough visit, allow one to one and a half hours. Photography without flash is permitted in many areas; please follow the signs.

No additional photos available.