Austrian National Library

The Austrian National Library was founded in 1722 in a wing of the Hofburg Palace, which also served as a winter residence for members of the imperial family. Over the last three centuries, it has grown to become one of the largest collections of literature in Europe.

Visit the Globe Museum to marvel at the huge numbers of heavenly spheres on display – many different planets and moons, including our own, and numerous models of Earth also. The massive pair of Venetian globes are a particular treat, each measuring one metre in diameter. The growth of the art of map-making is lovingly traced here, harking back to the age of the early explorers and merchants seeking fame and fortune on the high seas. The museum also houses large numbers of mapping instruments from centuries gone by.

The Papyrus Museum is the largest of its kind in the whole world, and contains an awe-inspiring collection of scrolls ranging from the 15th century BC to the 1700s of the Common Era – over three millennia of knowledge. Gold and silver pieces are also housed here, along with ancient inscribed stone tablets.

Stroll around the Esperanto Museum to learn about the utopian efforts of scholars to create a universal language that would unite the world’s peoples. State Hall offers a massive assemblage of literature, which will be of huge interest to the German speaker, and a specific section of rare books. It also contains a massive collection of sheet music from some of the greats of classical music.

The Austrian National Library is located in the centre of Vienna, and is open every day, with opening hours stretching into the early evening. There is a fee for entry into each museum, while a combination ticket allows entry to all of them, and will save you some money too. Tours are also available for a small charge.