250 years of the Burgtheater: A journey through the history of the theater!

250 years of the Burgtheater: A journey through the history of the theater!

The Burgtheater in Vienna, a jewel of the theater landscape, will soon be celebrating a big anniversary. On the occasion of the 250th anniversary in 2026, there will be a remarkable guest performance by Theater Museum opened in the Burgtheater. This exhibition will be on view from November 4, 2025 to June 30, 2026 and will take place in the second break foyer of the Burgtheater. Theatergoers can view the show free of charge while theater operations continue as usual.

The Theater Museum is currently closed due to renovation work in the Palais Lobkowitz. On this occasion, the Wolfrum bookstore, which is part of the facility, will also be redesigned. The Burgtheater not only remains a cultural hotspot, but will also continue to be designed to be inviting.

A journey through history

The exhibition presents the exciting history of the Burgtheater, starting with the imperial era. In 1776, Emperor Joseph II elevated the Ballhaus on Michaelerplatz to the status of “Teutschen Nationaltheater,” which marked a significant turning point in the theater landscape. After further renaming and a renovation of the subsequent theater, which was known as the "K.u.K. Hofburgtheater", it now operates under the name "Burgtheater". These descriptions are not only of interest to theater lovers, but also show how theater has developed over the centuries.

Particularly noteworthy are the fascinating stories about important actors and important events in the history of the Burgtheater. The Third Reich period is also discussed, although the exhibition does not go into too much detail. After its destruction in the Second World War, the Burgtheater was reopened in 1955 and has since developed into the center of Viennese theater.

Visit and participation

Those interested can view the exhibition with a valid performance ticket from 45 minutes before the start of the performance and during breaks. Additional guided tours are available for anyone who would like to delve deeper into the history of the Burgtheater. This gives you a real impression of the impressive heritage of this theater, which, despite all the changes, remains very popular to this day.

Overall, it shows that the Burgtheater in Vienna is much more than just a stage for performances; it is a living part of this city's cultural history. What the further developments surrounding the anniversary and the exhibition will look like remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the Burgtheater is and remains a central meeting point for all theater enthusiasts and a piece of Viennese identity.