Neue Burg (New Palace), Vienna

The New Palace (Neue Burg) in Vienna is the latest and most magnificent addition to the Hofburg complex. Its construction took 32 years, from 1881 to 1913. The Neo-Renaissance building is a testament to the twilight years of the Habsburg Empire. Upon its completion, just five years before the empire's collapse, the palace served as the residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

By 1933, the property aligned well with the Austro-fascist self-image, showcasing exhibitions that glorified Austria's chivalric past and supported authoritarian ideologies. It was used extensively by the Nazis for exhibitions and as a hub for organizing art theft, highlighted by major events and the conversion of its first floor into a depot for looted art.

After the unification of Austria and Nazi Germany (known as "Anschluss"), it became a significant Nazi propaganda site, prominently featuring Adolf Hitler's speech from its terrace—a pivotal moment in Austria's National Socialist history. Today, the "Hitler balcony" – from which Adolf Hitler delivered his proclamation of the Anschluss in 1938 – remains a key site in understanding the scope of National Socialism in Europe. Post-1945, the building transformed from a symbol of triumph to a site of shame, reflecting Austria's complex memory culture.

The New Palace houses several museums, including the Austrian National Library with over 12 million objects, including four million books, a unique globe museum with 695 globes, and one of the world's most significant papyrus collections with 180,000 items spanning 3,000 years. Additionally, there is the Ephesos Museum showcasing ancient artifacts from Ephesus and Samothrace, as part of the Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum), and the House of Austrian History, opened in 2018, spread across multiple floors.

The building's facade showcases 20 statues of historical Austrian figures, representing various roles – from Marcomanni (the ancient Germanic people who established a powerful kingdom north of the Danube) and Roman soldiers to merchants and knights, – each crafted by different artists to honor Austria's diverse historical influences.

Tip:
Young people under 19 enter for free.
Wheelchair rental is available (reserve one day in advance). Notification by telephone approximately 15 minutes before arrival at the front desk is recommended.
The collections of Ancient Instruments and Arms and Armor are only accessible via elevator at the ticket counter level; the Ephesos Museum can only be reached from this level via steps (60 in total).