The Belvedere 21 Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art

Belvedere 21 is Vienna’s leading museum for post-war and contemporary art, offering a strikingly modern contrast to its Baroque siblings, the Upper and Lower Belvedere.

Housed in a stunning glass-and-steel structure, it celebrates 20th and 21st-century Austrian and international art through rotating exhibitions, experimental works, and immersive cultural events.

Belvedere Palace welcomes thousands daily, so booking your tickets in advance is a smart move. The Upper Belvedere ticket includes Klimt’s The Kiss, while the Lower Belvedere ticket grants access to temporary exhibitions. Modern art lovers? Book Belvedere 21. Want to learn more? Join a guided tour for expert insights and stories.

A Brief History of Belvedere 21

The museum’s origins are as innovative as its exhibits. It was originally built as Austria’s Pavilion for the 1958 World Expo in Brussels, designed by modernist architect Karl Schwanzer.

After the Expo, the building was dismantled and moved to Vienna, where it was reassembled in the Arsenal district. 

Between 1962 and 2001, it operated as the Museum of the 20th Century, affectionately known as 20er Haus.

In 2011, following a major renovation, the space reopened as Belvedere 21, shifting its focus to contemporary and experimental art.

Today, it stands as one of the most dynamic venues in Austria’s cultural landscape.

Architecture and Design of the Belvedere 21 Museum

Located just a short walk from the Upper Belvedere, the museum offers a fresh take on Vienna’s art scene.

Belvedere 21 is a beacon of post-war modernist architecture.

Its transparent, minimalist façade of glass and steel invites natural light, turning the building itself into a sculpture of clarity and openness.

Inside, the design is spacious and adaptable—perfect for large-scale installations and multimedia exhibits.

The 2011 renovation preserved its original character while introducing energy-efficient features and upgraded infrastructure.

Walking through Belvedere 21, visitors don’t just view art—they experience it within a space that embodies modernity itself.

Art Collection and Exhibitions

Unlike the Upper Belvedere, Belvedere 21 does not house a permanent classical collection.

Instead, it thrives on temporary exhibitions that rotate throughout the year—spotlighting everything from emerging digital artists to established avant-garde figures.

The exhibition highlights include works by:

• Maria Hahnenkamp: Mar 21, 2025 – Aug 31, 2025
• Jonathan Monk: May 23, 2025 – Sept 21, 2025
• Wotruba International: July 17, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026
• Ashley Hans Scheirl: Sept 19, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026
• Civa − Contemporary Immersive Virtual Art: Oct 2, 2025 – Feb 25, 2026
  

Visitors can expect a mix of painting, sculpture, video art, installations, digital media, and even performance art.

The curatorial approach is bold, reflective of the museum’s mission to challenge conventional norms and spark cultural conversations.

Cultural and Educational Programs

Belvedere 21 is more than a museum—it’s a vibrant cultural space that encourages interaction, thought, and dialogue.

It regularly hosts:

• Artist talks and panel discussions
  
• Film screenings aligned with exhibit themes
  
• Workshops and guided tours for kids, adults, and schools
  
• Live performances and multidisciplinary events
  

Educational materials like catalogues and publications are also available to deepen the visitor experience and support academic research.

Whether you’re a curious first-timer or an art student, there’s always something engaging happening here.

Belvedere 21 Sculpture Garden

Just outside the main building lies the Sculpture Garden, a peaceful, open-air gallery filled with post-war Austrian sculptures.

Artists like Fritz Wotruba are represented here, and the setting—lush, quiet, and free from barriers—makes it ideal for reflection.

It’s a natural extension of the museum’s mission: to make contemporary art accessible in both form and setting.

Benches scattered around the garden offer restful viewpoints, making this space a lovely spot to pause and soak in creativity between exhibits.

Belvedere 21 Cinema

Inside the museum, a dedicated cinema presents a curated selection of art films, experimental shorts, and contemporary documentaries.

Screenings often align with current exhibitions, offering a deeper layer of context to the themes explored in the galleries.

During festival seasons or special exhibitions, the cinema becomes a venue for cultural dialogue, blending visual art and film into a single, immersive experience.

Visitor Tips for Belvedere 21

• Belvedere 21 is open from Tuesday to Sunday, between 11 am and 6 pm, and remains closed on Mondays.
  
• Admission costs around €9 for adults, with reduced rates of approximately €7 for students, seniors, and Vienna Card holders.
  
• Children and teenagers under 18 years of age can enter the museum for free, making it a family-friendly attraction.
  
• Entry to Belvedere 21 is also included in the Belvedere Annual Ticket and the Vienna Pass, offering great value if you’re visiting multiple museums.
  
• The museum is conveniently located near Wien Hauptbahnhof and can be reached easily via Tram D (Arsenal stop) or S-Bahn (Quartier Belvedere station).
  
• Visitors using wheelchairs or strollers will find the museum fully accessible, with elevators, ramps, and adapted restrooms available throughout the building.
  
• The museum features a cloakroom and lockers in the lobby, allowing you to store bags or coats during your visit.
  
• Lucy Bar is an on-site cafe inside the museum that serves light meals, coffee, and pastries, ideal for a short break between exhibitions.
  
• The museum shop offers a curated selection of art books, exhibition catalogues, design objects, and thoughtful souvenirs.
  
• Photography is permitted inside the museum, but strictly no flash. Usage of tripods and professional equipment require prior approval.
  
• You should plan to spend at least 1 to 1.5 hours at the museum, especially if you also want to explore the sculpture garden.
  
• The museum regularly hosts special events like film screenings, artist talks, and live performances, which are especially popular during Vienna’s cultural festivals.