Kunsthistorisches Museum

The Kunsthistorisches Museum on Maria-Theresien-Platz ranks among the largest and most significant art museums in the world, holding the Habsburg private collection assembled over centuries. The monumental Neo-Renaissance building was erected from 1871 to 1891 by Gottfried Semper and Carl von Hasenauer as part of the never-completed Imperial Forum; Emperor Franz Joseph opened it in person. Highlights of the picture gallery include the world's largest Pieter Bruegel the Elder collection with twelve works including The Peasant Wedding and Children's Games, Vermeer's The Art of Painting, Velazquez's portraits of the Infantas and Caravaggio's David with the Head of Goliath. Add to that the Egyptian collection with its pharaonic mummy chamber, the antiquities collection with the Gemma Augustea, and the Kunstkammer with Cellini's golden Saliera - the most valuable goldsmith work in the world.