The main focus of Museum Judenplatz is on the excavated remains of a medieval synagogue that once stood on Judenplatz, with a film and numerous exhibits to elucidate Jewish history. It was built in the Middle Ages, but Duke Albrecht V’s ‘hatred and misconception’ led him to order its destruction in 1421. The basic outline of the synagogue can still be seen here.
After entering the museum you watch an informative 12-minute video on Judaism, the synagogue and the Jewish quarter. Next up are the excavations, after which you can search the databases for lost relatives or friends if you wish. Glass cases containing fragments, such as documents from Jewish history in Vienna, are dotted throughout the museum. An audio guide costs €2 (in German and English, with a special children's version too). Vienna's other Jewish museum is on Dorotheergasse. Free tours, generally on the first Sunday in the month (in German), are conducted at 3pm from the Jüdisches Museum and 4.30pm from Museum Judenplatz, covering all exhibitions.
