Destination guide to the Third Man Museum, a museum dedicated to the classic film The Third Man and the history of post-World War II Vienna.
The Third Man Museum is a special museum in Vienna, established in 2005 by Gerhard Strassgschwandtner and Karin Höfle. They created the museum to share with the world the significance of The Third Man film and a unique perspective into post-World War II life in Vienna. Today, the museum houses over 3,000 exhibits displayed across 15 rooms.
The Third Man is a 1949 film noir starring Orson Welles and set in post-war Vienna. The exterior shots of the film clearly show the damage the city sustained during the bombings of World War II. Inside the museum is an extensive collection of movie memorabilia, including screenplays, costumes, posters, props such as the famous Elchinger gravestone, and much more.
In addition to the film memorabilia, The Third Man Museum’s historical collection features news clippings, photographs, letters, war-related artifacts, and other poignant items that present the hardships the citizens of Vienna endured during and after the war.
Visiting the Third Man Museum in Vienna
The Third Man Museum was included in my Rick Steves’ Europe tour itinerary, and it highlighted one of the advantages of participating in a tour. Not being familiar with the film The Third Man, I would never have considered stopping here on a solo trip, so I am thankful I had the opportunity to visit with the tour, as the experience turned out to be quite memorable. In a city that draws tourists with its palaces, opera house, and world-class museums, this quiet, unassuming museum may go unnoticed, yet it is one I highly recommend travelers add to their itinerary.
As the group had a packed schedule that day, we only had time to tour the history exhibits and the room housing the vintage, still-functioning Krupp-Ernemann film projector from 1936, along with other movie memorabilia such as posters and instruments used to compose the film’s score. Another great aspect of the visit is that Gerhard himself led our tour of the museum (and he did show us a short clip of the film on the projector).
The time spent at this museum became one of my more memorable travel moments. Having visited countless museums across the world, this is the first one I have encountered that is a self-funded, personal project rather than an institution funded by donors, royal dynasties, or a non-profit.
The museum visit was also made special by Gerhard, a masterful storyteller whose passion for the film, Vienna’s history, and the museum could really be felt in his words. I enjoyed hearing the inspiring stories of what led him to found the museum and of the painstaking work it took him and his wife to curate each display. It was amazing to see how a dream and a simple hobby can transform into an impactful museum. His stories, along with the displays, also did an excellent job of bringing to life the harrowing struggles of Vienna’s citizens during and after World War II. By the end of the group’s visit, everyone was deeply touched, and many were moved to tears.
A stop at the Third Man Museum is a worthwhile addition to your Vienna itinerary, but scheduling a visit may be tricky given its limited hours. It is open only on Saturday afternoons, though travelers can request a private tour outside regular hours. The museum is easily accessible via public transportation or a 20-minute walk from Vienna’s city center.
Since I only visited a portion of the museum, I cannot recommend how much time to allow for the entire museum. However, I suggest dedicating at least 40 to 50 minutes to exploring the historical exhibits. That is truly an interesting collection, offering a unique, in-depth look at Vienna and its people during and after World War II. And from the glimpses I got, the exhibits related to the film are just as captivating.
The Third Man Museum is not wheelchair accessible.
The museum offers a free audio guide accessible via a free downloadable app. To listen to the tour, either hold the phone to your ear or disable the app’s “ear sensor” function to use headphones.
A few highlights of the museum.
Resources
For additional information, visit the official website of The Third Man Museum.
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