It all began with a
unique passion.
Over the decades, Heino Seitler’s circus and clown collection grew into a museum that preserves and passes on the heritage of the circus ring.
Mission
Our Purpose
We preserve and share the cultural heritage of the circus, clowning and variety arts so that the wonder and laughter of these art forms remain alive for future generations.
As the world’s oldest museum dedicated to circus and clowning, we see ourselves as a living place of remembrance: we collect, organise and research historical evidence – from programmes and posters to costumes, photographs and props – and make it accessible through exhibitions, guided tours, shows and publications.
Our mission is to reveal this heritage in a European perspective – through archival work, scholarly cooperation, international networks and cultural outreach that make Vienna visible as a circus city and the circus ring as part of Europe’s cultural history.
History
Our Milestones
The Beginning of an Extraordinary Collection
Journalist Heino Seitler exhibits his circus and clown collection publicly for the first time, founding today's museum.
Early Public Attention
'Vienna's Funniest Museum' appears in the newspaper – the collection is recognized as a special attraction.
Vienna in the International Circus Network
Heino Seitler serves as president of the 'Fédération Internationale Du Cirque' and anchors Vienna in the European circus world.
From Private Collection to Public Cultural Asset
The collection is housed in the Leopoldstadt District Museum as the 'Austrian Circus & Clown Museum'.
A Change of Generations
Following Heino Seitler's death, Prof. Berthold Lang takes over and continues the collection.
A New Museum Generation Begins
Robert Kaldy, along with Michael and Andreas Swatosch, join and shape the museum for decades.
Professionalization of the Museum
Under Robert Kaldy, the museum is further professionalized both professionally and structurally.
Research and Networking
Circus historian Christoph Enzinger brings additional expertise and Europe-wide contacts to the museum's work.
A Home at Ilgplatz 7
The museum moves to its current location, uniting the exhibition, archive, library, and public engagement under one roof.
Michael Swatosch Restructures the Museum
As museum director, he drives forward internationalization, digitization, and the systematic processing of the archives.
Values
What drives us
Our Value
Passion
We preserve history not out of duty, but out of love for the art form.
Our Value
Fascination
Every exhibit should awaken the wonder that can only be experienced in the circus.
Our Value
Authenticity
We show the real stories behind the glittering costumes.
the director says
Our Vision
We want to establish the Circus & Clown Museum Vienna as an internationally visible center for research and public engagement dedicated to Europe's circus and clowning heritage – a living hub where history lives on not only in the archive, but also on stage and in direct contact with our audience.
Our vision is a museum where collection work, academic research, digital cataloguing, and creative formats for engaging the public come together: interactive exhibitions, age-appropriate guided tours, shows, and events that open up the world of the ring to even more people.
In doing so, we want to make Vienna visible as a circus city and to showcase circus and clowning heritage as part of European cultural history – telling the story, with every visit, of just how much of Europe lives in the ring.
