History of Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier

From exhibition palace to cultural space

When the monarchy comes to an end in 1918, the court stables become defunct. The extensive site, with numerous in- and outdoor spaces, is thereupon used as for exhibitions by the Vienna Trade Fair, giving rise to the name Messepalast or exhibition palace. When the Vienna Trade Fair outgrows the site in the early 1980s, the Austrian Republic commissions a design concept to convert the area into a cultural forum.

A 2-stage architectural competition is announced in 1986 and won by the Ortner brothers, Laurids and Manfred. The historic architecture is to be retained and enhanced through contemporary accents and structures. Since the people and the media campaign against the original plans, the new buildings are redesigned several times before the groundbreaking ceremony in 1998.

The appearance and flair of the MuseumsQuartier is still characterised by these newer buildings, erected in the course of the site’s transformation between 1998 and 2001, which combine historic structure with contemporary architecture. If you enter the MuseumsQuartier via the main entrance in the Fischer-von-Erlach tract, you will find yourself in the main courtyard - one of the largest enclosed squares in the city. Straight ahead you can see the former Winter Riding School (which is now the event space Halle E+G) with the newer Kunsthalle Wien behind. And on either side, the two slightly offset newer buildings, the Leopold Museum to the left and the Museum MOderner Kunst Foundation Ludwig Vienna or mumok to the right. The buildings are set in special relation to one another and are a reference to the urban planning of the 7th District as well as to the difference between the institutions and their contents.

On June 30th, 2001 Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier is finally opened and has since developed into one of the world’s largest spaces for art and culture.