1. Vienna: Dom Museum Wien Admission
The museum is located in the heart of Vienna’s historic city center right on “Stephansplatz” and just next door to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. It houses some of the most valuable, sacred and historic artefacts in the world, as well as highlights of modern and contemporary art. Explore the unique objects that date back to the Middle Ages, to the period of Rudolf IV, Duke of Austria (1339–1365), the founder of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, who established Vienna as the center of the Hapsburg Empire. The painting of his likeness, largely considered the oldest portrait of the western world, as well as his gold-threaded burial shroud rank among the highlights of the collection. Ranging from the Gothic period to Art Deco, sculptures, precious altars, sacred objects adorned with gold and jewels, portraits, liturgical manuscripts and books, as well as magnificent vestments are there to be discovered. The surprising twist for every visitor is the museum’s legendary Otto Mauer Collection, a large collection of modern and contemporary artworks, by Expressionists and Secessionists as well as by key figures of the Austrian and international avant-garde. The contemporary redesign of the historic palace with spectacular views of St. Stephen’s Cathedral allows for an exciting juxtaposition of old and new. Upon entering the museum, with its large glass façade portal, a round glass elevator, encircled by an elegant winding staircase takes you upstairs to the exhibition galleries. Visit the special exhibition currently on view, “Show Me Your Wound.” The show focuses on artistic representations of physical, psychological, and sociopolitical wounds against the backdrop of a Christian pictorial tradition. The works shown span the Middle Ages to modern and contemporary art.