Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna [antikvár]

History of the BuildingThe Kunsthistorisches Museum, built by Karl Hasenauer and Gottfried Semper between 1871 and 1891, is one of the world's most famous museums, lts magnifi-cent architecture creates a fitting setting for the artistic treasures assembled by the Habsburgs over the centuries, lts rich collections house objects dating from seven millennia, from Ancient Egypt up to the end of the 18th century. The Picture Gallery, one of the most important in the world, is particularly renowned. From the impressive Entrance Hall we move up the magnificent staircase with décorations by Gustav Klimt and Canova's monumental marble group of Thesus Slaying the Centaur", to the octagonal Cupola Hall with its rich relief décorations celebrating the Habsburgs as connoisseurs and patrons of the arts. From here doors lead into the Picture Gallery housing masterpieces by Bruegel, Dürer, Rembrandt, Titian, Velázquez and many other famous painters.