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State Hall of the Austrian National Library (Prunksaal)

ArchitectureHistoryLiteratureOpen until 6pmFrom €12Herrengasse (U3)

Built for Emperor Charles VI between 1723 and 1726 to designs by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, completed by his son Joseph Emanuel, the State Hall is one of the most spectacular historic library rooms in the world. Beneath Daniel Gran's cupola fresco of the emperor's apotheosis, walnut shelves hold around 200,000 volumes printed between 1501 and 1850, including Prince Eugene of Savoy's library of some 15,000 books. Marble statues by the Strudel brothers and four Coronelli globes fill the hall, which also stages the library's major temporary exhibitions.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

Josefsplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Nearest station: Herrengasse (U3), Stephansplatz (U1, U3), Karlsplatz (U1, U2, U4)

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Hours

Summer season (June–September) until 30 September, 09:00–18:00

MonClosed
Tue09:00–18:00
Wed09:00–18:00
Thu09:00–21:00
FriToday09:00–18:00
Sat09:00–18:00
Sun09:00–18:00

Admission

From €12

€10 reduced (students under 27, military/civilian service, disability ID; on site only). Free under 19.

Nearby

Theatermuseum (Palais Lobkowitz)

Music2 min walk

Albertina

Art2 min walk

Jewish Museum Vienna (Jüdisches Museum Wien)

Local History3 min walk
Heidi Horten Collection

Heidi Horten Collection

Art3 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does State Hall of the Austrian National Library (Prunksaal) cost?
Standard adult admission to State Hall of the Austrian National Library (Prunksaal) is €12. €10 reduced (students under 27, military/civilian service, disability ID; on site only). Free under 19.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of State Hall of the Austrian National Library (Prunksaal)?
State Hall of the Austrian National Library (Prunksaal) is open Oct–May: Tue–Sun 9:00–18:00, Thu until 21:00, closed Mon. Jun–Sep: daily 9:00–18:00, Thu until 21:00.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is State Hall of the Austrian National Library (Prunksaal)?
State Hall of the Austrian National Library (Prunksaal) is located at Josefsplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria, in the Innere Stadt (1st district) area of Vienna. The nearest stations are Herrengasse (U3), Stephansplatz (U1, U3), Karlsplatz (U1, U2, U4).
What can I see at State Hall of the Austrian National Library (Prunksaal)?
Vienna's baroque imperial library: a 30m frescoed dome, 200,000 antique volumes, marble emperors and giant Venetian globes. Current highlights include The Cupola Fresco, The Global Power of Love. A Journey Through the Centuries, The Special Exhibit: Mozart's "first" violin concerto? A forgery!.
Do I need to book State Hall of the Austrian National Library (Prunksaal) in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit State Hall of the Austrian National Library (Prunksaal)?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Mirej / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 AT)

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