Moenchsberg Museum of Modern Art

Visit the Museum of Modern Art Mönchsberg, or MdM Mönchsberg, perched on the Mönchsberg mountain, not only to view the fine art collections on the walls but also to check out the modern building itself. In 1998, a competition was launched to find a designer for the new museum. Out of 145 applicants, an 11-member committee chose Friedrich Hoff Zwink, a team of German architects. The museum opened in 2004 and focuses on 20th and 21st century art. There is a second Museum of Modern Art campus, MdM Rupertinum, in the centre of Salzburg’s Old Town.

At the MdM Mönchsberg you’ll find work by national and international artists while exploring the museum’s four levels. Abstract art fans will appreciate works by Christian Hutzinger, Imi Knoebel, Thomas Reinhold, Gerwald Rockenschraub and Leo Zogmayer.

The building itself is a work of art. The exterior walls are coated with marble from Untersberg, a mountain near Salzburg. Large windows offer expansive views of the city below. The unique structure even incorporates an historic 19th-century water tower.

For a special treat, make a reservation to dine at the museum’s elegant m32 restaurant. You can also just enjoy cocktails and appetisers while admiring panoramic city views.

The museum also has a shop stocked with art books, catalogues and items that make great gifts or souvenirs.  

The Museum der Moderne Mönchsberg is a 15-minute walk from the Old Town, and accessible by public transportation. The museum is open daily, except Monday, with variable operating hours. Free guided tours are available, but note on some days a fee is charged. Check the museum website for details.