Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Saquon Barkley Plaque
Kirkkasik Bedesten inside
Kirkkasik Bedesten
Someshwar Temple
Someshwar Temple
Grilled cheese and tomato soup are soulmates.
The Palisades Restaurant
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The local catch is delicious fried as well.
Terry's of Charlevoix
Carlson’s Fishery is a Great Lakes institution.
Carlson’s Fishery
The Cathedral Café maintains the building’s original church exterior.
Cathedral Café
Exterior of the historic Dyffryn Arms pub.
Dyffryn Arms
Most of what’s on the menu here comes from Michigan.
The Glenwood
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Siegfried Tieber specializes in sleight-of-hand magic using small objects, as well as mentalism, which gives the illusion of reading minds.
Does a Magician Really Never Reveal Their Tricks? AO Wants to Know.
10 days ago
Decoy’s wines reflect the terroir of California.
How a Wooden Duck Migrated From the California Wetlands to a Wine Label
13 days ago
There’s more to the French capital than the Eiffel Tower.
Dear Atlas: What Are Some Non-Touristy Things to Do in Paris?
16 days ago
The plants around Liz Dauncey in this photo are not poisonous, but many common garden and houseplants are.
Are Some of Your Favorite Houseplants Poisonous? AO Wants to Know.
23 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Austria Vienna Neidhart Frescoes
AO Edited

Neidhart Frescoes

A glimpse into the festive and private lives of medieval Europe.

Vienna, Austria

Added By
ahvenas
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Neidhart frescoes   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Neidhart frescoes   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
  gingercinnamon / Atlas Obscura User
  gingercinnamon / Atlas Obscura User
Neidhart frescoes   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
  gingercinnamon / Atlas Obscura User
Neidhart frescoes   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Neidhart frescoes   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Neidhart frescoes   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Neidhart frescoes   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In 1979 during restoration works in an apartment near the center of Vienna, a sensational find was uncovered. After removing plaster from the walls, a set of ancient frescoes were revealed.

These works of art were ordered by Michel Menschein, a wealthy merchant who wanted them as decorations for a private dance and banquet hall in 1407. The paintings depict songs by legendary bard Neidhart von Reuenthal and tell stories of feasts, joy, and emotions experienced centuries ago.

Neidhart von Reuenthal was one of the most famous 13th-century minnesingers in German history. His critical and witty songs remained popular for centuries and were well known throughout Central Europe.

Initially, the frescoes covered all four walls, but only some parts of them have survived the times. Each fresco depicts scenes from one of four seasons. Since the frescoes were ordered for a private room, the artist was more liberal in his approach. The characters are presented in different emotional and intimate moments. They are shown dancing, holding hands, and kissing. There are also images that depict more violent scenes. 

The Neidhart Frescoes are among the oldest secular mural paintings still existing in Vienna. 

Related Tags

History & Culture Art Fresco

Community Contributors

Added By

ahvenas

Edited By

Martin, gingercinnamon

  • Martin
  • gingercinnamon

Published

January 13, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.wienmuseum.at/en/locations/neidhart-festsaal
Neidhart Frescoes
19 Tuchlauben
Vienna, 1010
Austria
48.210811, 16.371203
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Römermuseum

Vienna, Austria

miles away

Clock Museum

Vienna, Austria

miles away

Ankeruhr

Vienna, Austria

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Vienna

Vienna

Austria

Places 66
Stories 7

Nearby Places

Römermuseum

Vienna, Austria

miles away

Clock Museum

Vienna, Austria

miles away

Ankeruhr

Vienna, Austria

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Vienna

Vienna

Austria

Places 66
Stories 7

Related Places

  • Scenes from the “Modern” age of science.

    New Orleans, Louisiana

    Union Passenger Terminal Murals

    Striking images of New Orleans history, including colonizers, soldiers, Klansmen, scientists, sharecroppers, and more, are depicted in frescoes that line the walls of this transportation hub.

  • Gli Sposi Borghesi (The Bourgeois Spouses).

    Bergamo, Italy

    'Living Skeletons Scenes'

    Six paintings reminding you that death is integral part of everyday life.

  • ‘Villa of the Mysteries’ Replica

    Ann Arbor, Michigan

    'Villa of the Mysteries' Replica

    A watercolor recreation of a famous fresco unearthed at Pompeii.

  • Looking to the inner courtyard.

    Pisa, Italy

    The Camposanto

    Next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a cemetery home to ancient sarcophagi and disturbing murals.

  • Cappella di San Giovanni

    Bozen, Italy

    Cappella di San Giovanni

    Inspired by the more famous Scrovegni Chapel, Cappella di San Giovanni contains several amazing frescoes.

  • Tampa, Florida

    Goya Paintings at Hotel Haya

    Rescued, handpainted reproductions of iconic Francisco Goya paintings, now in a hotel.

    Sponsored by VISIT TAMPA BAY
  • Ruins of the church in Dvorine from above.

    Banja, Serbia

    Dvorine

    The remains of a luxurious 14th-century church built by the last despot of Serbia.

  • Verfmolen de Kat

    Zaandam, Netherlands

    Verfmolen De Kat

    This windmill has been grinding pigments for traditional paints for more than 200 years.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.