This historic collection of books and manuscripts is displayed in a sumptuous main hall. The ceiling fresco and shelves exude history and centuries of connoisseurship in books and their restoration. There is currently an exhibition on Austrian History as seen in print media, with many remarkable clippings from news media as far back as medieval times. A must see if... More

On our tour of Europe this year, we have seen some magnificent libraries. We have been taken back by several of these historical libraries. For most of us, we will never get the opportunity to see libraries, unless in the United States you visit the Library of Congress, Pierpont Morgan Library, Capitol Library in Des Moines you’ve never seen a... More

Stepping into The National Library probably gives as good a feel of the wealth and power of the Hapsburgs as any interior in Vienna. For most people, you’ve never seen a library like this. The Hapsburg’s collected 200,000 volumes over hundreds of years and built his library to store and display them. The interior is domed, fully painted, with columns,... More

We were blown away by this library! What a grand and magnificent place! There are always things to see (churches, castles, palaces, etc.), but there are not many things like this to see! It was one of the highlights of all the places we went to in Eastern Europe. I highly recommend it. It also has Austrian history displayed throughout... More

This was the only part of this fabulous and extensive building that we visited. I am passionate about pianos - my wife tolerates this as compensation for dragging me around places related to Royalty! How wonderful to see those beautiful old forte pianos and to be able to listen to recordings of composers' great works as they themselves would hear... More

stuff to spend years reading, pretious gems, rare, beautiful titles, free usage, at main entrance, guided tours in english at entrance josefsplatz, a culture must !

Note: Jewish Parts closed early (1pm) for Shavu'ot and probably for other key holidays. We had two and a half hours to explore before closing and saw both the old overgrown (Tor 1) and the new more tidily kept (Tor 4) Jewish sections, locating family. If looking for family markers, Israelitische Kultusgemeinde can help you with row and section. Tel... More

This is the place to come if you like books - big book, leather bound books, historical books... The National Library collects and conserves the knowledge of centuries, from early manuscript to huge atlases. All of this in a beautiful setting. You really can feel what importance books held... A different selection of interesting books is always on display.

With sumptious palaces and heavenly churches and cathedrals the Nationalbibliothek would not normally get a second chance, but having spotted an entry in the guide book, we were glad that we did go in. The building has a wonderful feeling about it and also updates the visitor on Vienna's more recent (and sometimes unfortunate) history. Probably not for tinies, but... More