Vienna, the capital city of Austria, is popular for a number of reasons. Another than the title City of Music, it is also referred as The City of Dreams because it was the home of the world’s first psycho-analyst – Sigmund Freud.
 

Sigmund Freud is a recognized Austrian neurologist, who is the father of psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is a clinical method for treating psychopathology through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst. He has always been interested in this area of knowledge and developed his theories as he continued researching and experimenting. For 47 years, Sigmund Freud lived and worked at his house at Berggasse 19, before having to flee to London. Although not all of Freud’s works were done in these premises, majority of his writings and research are kept at Berggasse 19, which has been transformed into a museum, offering permanent exhibition. Currently, the influence of psychoanalysis on art and society is displayed through a program of special exhibitions and a modern art collection.

 

The display of the museum includes the practice’s waiting room, Freud’s personal items and extensive antique collection. It also exhibits an archive of images containing around two thousand documents, mostly photographs, but also paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Photos of Sigmund Freud and his family, and photos from psychoanalytic congresses are some examples of many. The photos and the documents of his work are thoroughly described by the audio guide. Attached to the museum are Europe’s largest psychoanalytic research library, with 35,000 volumes, and the research institute of Sigmund Freud Foundation.

 

Vienna isn’t the only city that has the Sigmund Freud Museum and holds the history of psychoanalysis. In fact the Freud Museum in London preserves Freud’s famous couch, as well as many of his other furnishings. A third museum opened in 2006 in the house of Freud’s birth, located in Czech town of Pribor. If there is a chance to visit any of these cities, the Sigmund Freud Museum is definitely a place to check out.

 

 

JungWoo Cho (Jenny)
Year 12 (Grade 11)
Dulwich College Seoul