The Weltmuseum Wien presents itself as a venue for connecting cultures and people in unique fashion. As such, the museum is dedicated to the cultural diversity of humankind and strives to document the diverse historical ties between Austria and the world in its collections from all around the globe.

As the very heart of the museum which has been reopend in October 2017, the permanent exhibition has been redesigned from the ground up. Strung together like a chain of pearls, the series of stories told in the fourteen galleries feature the core of the permanent exhibition combined with contemporary interpretations. On show are a total of 3.127 objects as well as numerous photographs. The installation reveals many, frequently surprising connections between Austria and the world. Visitors are invited to discover the world-famous collections that include the “penacho”, the celebrated ancient Mexican feathered headdress, the collection assembled by Captain James Cook (1728–1779), and the objects brought back by Johann Natterer (1787-1843) from his expedition to Brazil.