Visiting the State Hall of the Austrian National Library

The State Hall in Vienna is one of those places that made me stop as soon as I walked through the door and just look around.

Rows of old books climb the walls, huge frescoes cover the ceilings and an ornate dome rises above the centre of the room. It feels much more like walking into a palace than a library.

And really, that’s not too far from the truth.

The State Hall was originally built in the 18th century as the Imperial Court Library and today holds around 200,000 historic books.

Before visiting, I wasn’t sure how much time I wanted to give to a library when there were so many other things to see in Vienna. Once I was inside, though, I was very glad we’d included it.

If you like history, architecture, books or simply beautiful interiors, the State Hall is well worth adding to your Vienna itinerary.

Here’s what you’ll find inside, along with everything you need to know to plan your visit.

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What is the State Hall of the Austrian National Library?

The State Hall, known as the Prunksaal in German, is the historic heart of the Austrian National Library and was originally built as the Imperial Court Library.

Emperor Charles VI commissioned the library in the early 18th century. It was built between 1723 and 1726 to plans by court architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, with the work carried out by his son, Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach.

Today, the State Hall forms part of the Hofburg complex in central Vienna. It’s almost 80 metres long, with its impressive central dome rising to around 30 metres.

The shelves hold around 200,000 books dating from 1501 to 1850, but even if old books aren’t your thing, it’s hard not to be impressed by the scale and decoration of the room.

Inside the State Hall

Walking into the State Hall for the first time is quite a moment.

Floor-to-ceiling walnut bookshelves are filled with old leather-bound books, marble statues are dotted throughout and frescoes cover the ceilings above.

The centrepiece is the huge domed section in the middle of the hall. Look up and you’ll see an elaborate fresco by Austrian Baroque painter Daniel Gran depicting the glorification of Emperor Charles VI and the construction of the Court Library.

The central dome separates the War Wing and the Peace Wing, each decorated with allegorical frescoes.

There is a lot to take in. I found myself constantly looking up, then back at the books, then across the room at another detail I’d somehow missed.

You could walk through relatively quickly, but this is one of those places where it’s worth slowing down and really looking around.

And if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably take far too many photos.

The Books of the State Hall

Among those 200,000 books is the private collection of Prince Eugene of Savoy, containing around 15,000 volumes.

For a booklover, seeing shelf after shelf of these old books is almost irresistible.

I would have loved to pull a few down and have a look inside, but unfortunately there’s no touching.

Fair enough, I suppose, when some of the books have been sitting here for hundreds of years!

I would have been careful though. I don’t even bend page corners or crack the spine of the most ordinary paperback, so I’m pretty sure those 500-year-old books would have been safe with me.

The Antique Globes

Don’t be so distracted by the books and frescoes that you miss the four huge Venetian globes displayed beneath the central dome.

Created by Vincenzo Coronelli in the late 17th century, each is more than one metre in diameter. There are two terrestrial and two celestial globes.

I found it fascinating to look at how the world and the sky were represented more than 300 years ago.

Temporary Exhibitions at the State Hall

The State Hall also hosts temporary exhibitions, so there may be something extra to see during your visit.

When we were there, the exhibition explored the history of the Freemasons. I knew very little about them beforehand, so I found it surprisingly interesting to learn more about a group I’d mostly associated with secrecy and mystery.

The exhibitions change, so it’s worth checking what’s showing when you visit.

Is the State Hall in Vienna Worth Visiting?

For me, absolutely.

I swear I spent half the visit walking around with my mouth hanging open, looking from the bookshelves to the frescoes and back again.

It’s a booklover’s dream, but the architecture and decoration are reason enough to visit even if you’re not particularly interested in books.

It’s also easy to fit into a Vienna itinerary. You don’t need to set aside half a day, and its central location makes it easy to combine with other sights around the Hofburg and Vienna’s historic centre.

Planning Your Visit to the State Hall

The State Hall is at Josefsplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, within the Hofburg complex.

State Hall Tickets

At the time of writing, standard adult admission is €12. Children and young people under 19 can visit free of charge.

If you have a Vienna City Card, admission is currently discounted to €10.50. We used the Vienna City Card during our visit and received a discount on our tickets.

Tickets can be bought at the State Hall or online in advance.

State Hall Opening Hours

The State Hall is currently open from 9 am to 6 pm, with extended opening until 9 pm on Thursdays.

From October to May it is closed on Mondays, while from June to September it is open seven days a week.

There can be changes for public holidays and special events, so check the Austrian National Library website for the latest hours before you visit.

How Long Do You Need at the State Hall?

I’d allow around 45 minutes to an hour.

You could see it more quickly, but I’d give yourself enough time to look at the frescoes, globes and books rather than simply walking from one end to the other.

There is also an audio guide if you’d like more information about the history, architecture and collection. The current audio guide takes around 27 minutes and can be accessed on your own smartphone, so bring headphones if you plan to use it.

Accessibility

The State Hall offers barrier-free access.

There is a small step at the Josefsplatz entrance. Wheelchair users who need assistance can ring the blue bell beside the left-hand gate and a staff member can provide a ramp.

For current ticket prices, opening hours, accessibility information and temporary exhibitions, check the official Austrian National Library website before your visit.

Final Thoughts on Visiting the State Hall

The State Hall ended up being one of my favourite places we visited in Vienna.

I went in expecting a beautiful old library, but I wasn’t prepared for just how impressive the whole room would be.

And yes, I still wish they’d let me get my hands on one of those old books!

If you’re exploring the Hofburg and Vienna’s historic centre, it’s an easy attraction to add to your day and one I’m very glad we didn’t skip.

Looking for more things to do in Vienna? Take a look at everything else we did during our time in Salzburg and Vienna.

For more posts on Austria, try these
Summer in Saalbach-Hinterglemm
Travel Diaries – Salzburg
Travel Diaries – Bregenz

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