Museums and Special Locations
  Avantgarde scene in the Cafe on the Mur island, Graz © Steiermark Tourismus/Schiffer
House of Arts (Kunsthaus) Graz, province of Styria © Steiermark Tourismus/Schiffer
Architecturally interesting art objects, century-old or postmodern buildings, curiosities like the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, or bizarre places like the never used atomic power station in Zwentendorf are among the many extraordinary film locations in Austria.
The Giant Ferris Wheel in the Vienna Prater, built in 1896, is one of the city’s landmarks and an attraction for threequarters of a million visitors annually. The Giant Ferris Wheel, or Riesenrad, was made famous by Orson Welles’ THE THIRD MAN. Another highlight in the filmography of the Giant Ferris Wheel was the 15th James Bond, THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS, produced by Albert R. Broccoli.
Filming is possible at any time day or night. The Ferris Wheel Cars can be refitted upon request. Quick and non-bureaucratic permits will be issued after the script has been reviewed.
For filming in other buildings in the Prater, the individual owners need to grant permission. The Vienna Prater Association serves as central contact for all Prater vendors. Permits for all open areas and streets in the Prater can be requested at the Vienna City Administration, Department 46 (MA 46).
Vienna City Administration, Department 46 (MA 46)
Niederhofstraße 21
A-1120 Vienna
T: +43 (0)1 81114 -0
E: post@m46.magwien.gv.at
MuseumsQuarter Vienna © Österreich Werbung/Diejun
The MuseumsQuarter Vienna (MQ), completed in 2001, was built in and around the old Imperial Stables from the early 18th century. With a total footprint of 650,000 sq.ft. it is one of the largest cultural compounds in the world and offers a truly unique variety of content. The MQ unites Baroque buildings and modern architecture, cultural facilities of all sizes (i.e. the Leopold Museum and the Museum of Modern Art), a great variety of art as well as urban recreational facilities to form one spectacular entity. The extraordinary atmosphere lends itself as a location for film and television productions, photo shoots and commercials. Filming is possible at any time upon prior arrangement.
The Fine Arts Museum in Vienna,the Kunsthistorische Museum (KHM), opened in 1891 and features a grand staircase with a monumental group of Greek classic statues and an octagonal cupola chamber which leads to the galery of paintings. The KHM manages the following buildings which are available as film locations: the KHM main building, including the Treasure Chambers, the New Imperial Palace with the Royal Hunting and Armory Chambers, the collection of old music instruments, the Ephesos Museum and the carriage collection, and the Ambras Castle in Innsbruck. Filming preferably takes place on days when the museums are closed to the public. For exterior shots, additional permits need to be aquired from the adminstrative office in charge (Hofburg, Schönbrunn, City Administration MA 46). Requirements and regulations depend on the respective location and objects to be filmed.
The Natural History Museum has been a popular location in the past. The museum, including the archives and the cupola roof is available, is available for filming preferably on Tuesdays (when the museum is closed) and at night. During the day, certain areas can be closed upon prior arrangement.
Museum of Military History in Vienna © Wien Tourismus/Koller
The collection of the Military Museum is the most historically important of its kind in Europe and covers the period from the 16th to the 20th century. The largest collection of historic heavy artillery in the world, covering seven centuries, resides inside the Artillery Hall. Famous Austrian generals – all chisled in Carrara Marble – tower over the grand entrance of the building. Filming is generally possible in all chambers of the museum as long as historic preservation regulations are observed (e.g. no fog effects).
The Vienna Folk Opera, welcomes productions provided that the daily theater activities are not disturbed. For longer shoots (several days), written applications should be received with nine months in advance. For all other shoots, shorter notice is acceptable.
The Vienna State Opera, one of the city’s most impressive buildings, allows filming in the grand staircase, the intermission areas and foyers, the rehearsal rooms as well as the outside balconies. Consideration for rehearsals and performances is required. Filming on the stage, the auditorium and in the orchestra pit is limited. For the filming of live performances copyrights have to be cleared. Contracts are needed for larger productions. Fire regulations have to be observed.
The United Stages Graz manages the Graz Opera, the Schauspielhaus (spoken theater), the Orpheum (meeting and concert hall) as well as the Kasematten. In the 16th century, the Kasematten, located on the Schlossberg (Castle Hill), served as a storage house and prison for the castle. Today it can be rented for open air events.
Production teams are welcome at any time and can use the available costumes, props, extras, lights, sound system, special effects and staff. Filming in the Graz Opera is most likely possible on Mondays.
Graz was Europe’s vibrant Cultural Capital in 2003. On this occasion, London’s star architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier created the Kunsthaus Graz (Art House Graz): The building, a huge “bubble” with a skinlike blue acrylic glass exterior was built in symbiotic relationship with Europe’s oldest cast-iron construction, the “Iron House”. Film permits are granted on a project per project basis.
New York’s art, design and media star, Vito Acconci, designed the Murinsel, a brand new island space on the Mur river in Graz. An amphitheater is situated in the shell-like construction, a coffee house is located under a dome. Film permits have to be requested at the Graz Traffic and Transportation Office.
In Innsbruck, the city’s landmark, the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), the Annasäule (a monumental column in the city center memorizing the defeat of the black plague), the Imperial Palace and the Weiherburg Castle are often used as historic backdrops. These and all other official and public buildings, are under the authority of the Building Administration Innsbruck. For filming in the Golden Roof building, the Department of Historic Preservation has to be contacted as well.
The Minimundus in Klagenfurt, Carinthia, displays a miniature world with 171 models of world famous buildings from 53 countries. They include St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Statue of Liberty in New York, the CNN Tower in Toronto, and even the Taj Mahal in Agra. Around 90 percent of the models have been built with the same materials as their original. Filming is possible at any time between the beginning of April and the end of October.
Atomic Power Station at Zwentendorf, Lower Austria
The Atomic Power Station at Zwentendorf, in Lower Austria, is a worldwide unique location. It was built in the 1970s but, because of public protest, was never activated. For requirements to obtain permits and information on fees, contact the Unified Power Station Tullnerfeld (GKT).
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