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All 315 Vienna Attractions »

Austrian National Library (Nationalbibliothek)

Josefplatz 1 | P.O. Box 308, Vienna A-1015, Austria
(43 1) 534 10
Ranked #4 of 234 attractions in Vienna
4.5 of 5 stars 53 Reviews
Type: Libraries, Museums, Speciality Museums
Description: Center of information and research regarding the rich history of the Republic of Austria dating from the 14th century to present day.
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53 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
São Paulo
Top Contributor
83 reviews 83 reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
24 helpful votes 24 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 May 2012 NEW

The paintings in the ceiling are a masterpiece aside.

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See 3 more reviews by marciofleury for Vienna
Paris
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2012

Once I stepped inside, i felt i was in another time, a time where libraries meant much than know, it was amazing to see all those books intact, the design was breathe taking and the painting on the ceiling was so heavenly. it was worth the visit.

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See 4 more reviews by Tara_Hamdi for Vienna
Mumbai (Bombay), India
Top Contributor
64 reviews 64 reviews
Reviews in 37 cities Reviews in 37 cities
82 helpful votes 82 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

The National Bibliothek is straight out of the Indiana Jones adventure movies or the Mummy movies with tall floor to ceiling bookshelves but this is not a set but the real deal. Its a majestic library with books lined from floor to ceilings. You can see the indexing system with roman numerals to identify and find books. I was here... More

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See 2 more reviews by abhy for Vienna
Reeuwijk
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

The museum we went to was called the Prunksaal, and is in a part of the Hofburg. In my Top 10 Vienna guide they name this the National library. It was the most beautiful library we ever saw, it seems like a church with painted ceilings. The admission price is high at € 7 but it's worth it. Though you... More

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See 20 more reviews by avmn for Vienna
Los Angeles, California
Top Contributor
51 reviews 51 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 April 2012
1
person found this review helpful

The library is AMAZING! But if you are not really into books or history (they have a few other items on display) there really isn't much else to see here. The room is gorgeous and the collection is amazing, but the price is a little steep. I really enjoyed it and would totally recommend it for those interested in libraries... More

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See 16 more reviews by DZKathrynE for Vienna
Calgary, Canada
Top Contributor
50 reviews 50 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
34 helpful votes 34 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2012

For a book lover, the magnificence of this Library will bring tears to your eyes. The library is currently behind netting as they are figuring the facade, but go in anyway as you will be transfixed by the beauty of the architecture into which the books have been placed.

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See 15 more reviews by crjmca for Vienna
Stavanger
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 April 2012
1
person found this review helpful

The library has like five museums, witnessing the scince development and documentation from the times when world has been slowly discovered, and of course the Austrian emperors got a hand on it. The bought a lot of stuff form others, and they gathered a vast amount of books, artefacts from all over the world. A lot of it is at... More

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See 2 more reviews by PeterNordman for Vienna
Venice, Italy
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 April 2012
1
person found this review helpful

It's not exactly big (it's just one room), but it's really beautiful and worth a visit.

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See 3 more reviews by Mapletea for Vienna
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 April 2012
1
person found this review helpful

It's the most beautiful library in the world. Did I just say that? - "it's the most beautiful library in the world?" The architecture is stunning. And they always have a special exhibition on which is worth having a look at. Hey and it really is the most beautiful library in the world!

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See 10 more reviews by JhDude for Vienna
New York City, New York
Top Contributor
74 reviews 74 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 March 2012

Some visitors fall for the fable that Kaiser Karl VI, father of Kaiserin Maria Theresia founded this library. True it is that his likesized statue stands in the huge, magnificent Prunksaal. However, another statue is also there, that of the brilliant Prince Eugene of Savoy, whose superb library formed the core for the beginning of this library. The library features... More

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See 19 more reviews by DrMPA S for Vienna

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