Otto Wagner Pavillon Karlsplatz
Karlsplatz, Vienna, Vienna, 1040
This striking pavilion in green, gold, and white marble on Vienna’s Karlsplatz was designed by Otto Wagner in 1897 as part of the city’s new train station. Now it houses an exhibition dedicated to the life and work of this groundbreaking Art Nouveau architect. Visit for an in-depth look at Wagner’s architectural legacy in Vienna.
The basics
For an overview of the Viennese churches, private houses, and landmarks like the Russian Embassy and monumental Postal Savings Bank on the Ringstrasse designed by one of Vienna’s premier architects, visit the Otto Wagner Pavillon Karlsplatz (originally known as the Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Station) as part of an art nouveau tour of Vienna. Such tours also include other highlights like the Secession Building, home of Klimt’s “Beethoven Frieze”. Otherwise, stop here independently or on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Vienna’s top attractions.
Things to know before you go
- The Otto Wagner Pavillon is a must for architecture enthusiasts as it is widely considered one of the best examples of Vienna’s unique Jugendstil Art Nouveau style and a highlight of the Vienna Secession art movement.
- There are three steps to enter the pavilion, though the exhibition area is level and accessible to wheelchair users.
- The nearby Resselpark, a lush public park dotted with statues of famous Austrians, offers a cool and quiet respite from the bustle of the city.
How to get there
The Otto Wagner Pavillon is located on Karlsplatz, one of Vienna's main squares and a busy transportation hub. Take metro lines U1, U2, or U4 to the Karlsplatz stop; a number of bus and tram lines also stop in the square.
When to get there
The pavilion is open April to October from Tuesday to Sunday; the site closes for an hour each day for lunch. Try to visit during daylight hours to best admire the exterior and interior architecture of this former station.
Art Nouveau Architecture in Vienna
Vienna is known for its unique offshoot of the Art Nouveau movement known as the Vienna Secession, of which Jugendstil is the most famous style. Otto Wagner was one of the main proponents of this movement, along with architect Joseph Maria Olbrich and artist Gustav Klimt. The best examples of this style in Vienna include the Secession Building and Wagner’s landmark apartment building at Linke Wienzeile, overlooking the Naschmarkt.
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