Temple of Theseus

The basics

This Greek-style temple was commissioned in the early 19th century by Napoleon and completed in 1823; it houses single pieces of art chosen from Vienna’s Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien) collection as part of its Modern and Contemporary Art Program. The most important landmark in the lush, rose-filled Volksgarten, the Temple of Theseus is a must-see during a stroll or bike ride through the park or as part of a tour of Vienna’s attraction-filled Innere Stadt old town.

Things to know before you go

• The Temple of Theseus sits in the center of Volksgarten, a conveniently located park for a break from sightseeing in Vienna’s historic center.

• When contemporary art exhibitions are being held, the temple is open to the public; otherwise, the temple can only be viewed from the outside.

• The temple can be reached via the park’s paths with wheelchairs and strollers; during art exhibitions, temporary access ramps are installed to enter the building.

How to get there

The Temple of Theseus is set in the centrally located Volksgarten public park, facing the Rathaus and adjoining Heldenplatz in front of the Neue Burg wing of the Hofburg Palace. The Theseus Temple and Volksgarten can be accessed from the Volkstheater station on the metro lines U2 or U3 or the Herrengasse station on line U3.

When to get there

The best time to visit the temple is when a temporary art exhibition is being held, and the interiors are open to the public. Otherwise, stop by after sunset when the temple is dramatically lit. Volksgarten, where the temple is located, is open daily from early morning into the evening (7pm in winter and 10pm in summer).

The highlights of Vienna’s Volksgarten

Volksgarten is an elegant historic park in Vienna designed in a formal French style with geometric flowerbeds and rose gardens. Along with the Theseus Temple, there are several fountains and other interesting monuments, such as the Kaiserin Elisabeth-Denkmal Memorial (better known as the Sisi Memorial, in honor of the most beloved Habsburg empress) and the Franz Grillparzer Monument, dedicated to the 19th-century Austrian poet and writer.