Vienna closes museums and cuts opening hours as part of austerity drive

"The apartment where the Austrian composer Franz Schubert died, the residence of Blue Danube writer Johann Strauss, as well as the house where Joseph Haydn lived are to be closed temporarily owing to cost-saving measures, the director of Vienna's museums announced on Wednesday. The closures are part of broader austerity measures that will also see the price of public transport in the Austrian capital rise by almost 30% for some tickets. We all have to economise, said Matti Bunzl, the head of public body the Wien Museum that oversees several historical sites in the Austrian capital."

"Largely thanks to the patronage of the Habsburg dynasty, Vienna rose to prominence as a European cultural capital in the Baroque era and the late 19th century, hosting composers such as Mozart and Beethoven and artists such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. The Vienna New Year's concert, an annual performance of classical music by the Vienna Philharmonic on New Year's Day, is broadcast to millions across the globe. Though the museums affected by the cuts are mostly low-key establishments with minimal staffing costs, their closure is expected to last two years, according to the finance director, Christina Schwarz."

"The budget allocated by the city falls from 29.7m (25.9m) in 2025 to 28.4m this year, with a further decrease in 2027. The apartment where Schubert died has been closed since the start of the year, while Haydn's house and Strauss's flat will be closed from 2 March. Schubert's birthplace will also be closed from the same date, but to allow a redesign before it reopens in 2028 to mark the 200th anniversary of his death."

Vienna will temporarily close multiple museums dedicated to famous composers to save costs as the city reduces its culture budget and implements broader austerity measures. Several low-key historical sites, including the apartment where Franz Schubert died and residences linked to Johann Strauss and Joseph Haydn, face closures expected to last around two years. Public transport fares will rise by nearly 30% for some tickets. City culture funding falls from 29.7m in 2025 to 28.4m this year, with a further decrease planned for 2027. Schubert's birthplace will close for redesign and reopen in 2028 for the 200th anniversary of his death.

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