Museum of Modern Art Monchsberg

Salzburg’s superb museum of modern Austrian art comes as a contemporary change after the city’s relentless Baroque charm. It has two branches: the MDM Rupertinum and the MDM Mönchsberg. The latter perches above the city on the rocky crag of Mönchsberg, one of five steep hills that form part of the city’s skyline; it was designed by Munich architects Friedrich Hoff Zwink following a competition launched in 1998 and has a series of light-filled, airy galleries tucked behind its ultra-modern white-marble façade. The four-floor museum opened in 2004 and holds exhibitions of contemporary painting, installations and temporary exhibitions from contemporary Austrian artists as well as open-air displays on the surrounding terraces. The neo-Gothic 19th-century Amalie Redlich Water Tower that stands next to MDM Mönchsberg has been incorporated into the gallery and hosts workshops and other events. The museum’s award-winning M32 restaurant has a panoramic terrace for views across Salzburg and the River Salzach; it is one of the city’s most popular summer dining spots. 

Practical Info

Located at Mönchsberg 32, the museum is open on Tuesdays and from Thursday to Sunday. Hours are 10am to 6pm regularly, and until 8pm on Wednesdays. Admission combined with the MDM Rupertinum costs adults €12, and seniors and students €8. Single tickets cost adults €8, and seniors and students €6. The Mönchsberg funicular goes up the hill to the museum from Anton-Neumayr-Platz and runs daily between 8am and 7pm (later in summer); return fares are €3.50 for adults and €1.80 for those under 14.