Third Man Museum

The Third Man Museum in Vienna's 5th district (Margareten) is a real treasure trove for fans of film and of Vienna. It is devoted to the legendary 1949 film "The Third Man" by Carol Reed, starring Orson Welles. The film is one of the most important film noir works of the postwar era and is set almost entirely in Vienna. The privately run museum was opened in 2005 by Gerhard Strassgschwandtner and Karin Höfler and now holds more than 3,000 exhibits. Across a total of 13 rooms, it displays original costumes, film props, posters, historic cameras, sound recordings and many other collector's items. A particular focus is the context of postwar Vienna and the real role of the sewers and the black market, which are also central themes in the film. You don't just experience the film come to life; you also get an authentic glimpse of historic Vienna in the 1940s. One highlight is the zither collection, dedicated to the film's iconic soundtrack. Regular special exhibitions and events add variety. An insider tip is to visit the museum after a guided tour of Vienna's sewer system, because that's exactly where the famous chase scenes were filmed. The owners are often on hand in person to answer questions, which gives the place a particularly friendly, personal atmosphere.