Sigmund Freud Museum

Sigmund Freud

Far beyond Austria's borders, Sigmund Freud is known as one of the most famous thinkers of the 20th century and the founder of psychoanalysis. Four years after his birth in what is now Prior in the Czech Republic, the Jewish family moved to Vienna.

Although he was first interested in law, Sigmund decided to study medicine at the University of Vienna. He became interested in the nervous system at an early age, and after working as a secondary physician at the Vienna General Hospital and spending time abroad in Paris, he settled as a general practitioner. That his interest continued to be neurology is evidenced by the fact that he wrote articles on the subject on the side.

Great attention was paid to the work on hysterical phenomena, which he wrote together with the internist Josef Breuer. More and more Freud specialized in mental illnesses that occurred without an organic disorder. Also at the end of the 19th century, Freud moved to Berggasse 19, the very place that was later converted into a museum.

In 1896 the term psychoanalysis appeared for the first time in his works. After the Nazi seizure of power, some of his works fell victim to the burning of books. Due to the ever-increasing danger, Freud left Austria with his family and emigrated to London.

Freud Museum

The apartment where Sigmund Freud lived with his family from 1891 to 1938 was opened as a museum in 1971 with the help of his daughter Anna. Visitors are amazed by original furnishings from the psychoanalyst's waiting room and personal possessions.

A separate video room shows film footage of the thinker, documented by Anna Freud, and provides a glimpse into his private life. There is also Europe's largest library of works of psychoanalysis at Berggasse 19. The former practice of Anna Freud is dedicated to the work of the young psychotherapist.