Neue Burg Museums

Lonely Planet review

Instruments of all shapes and sizes are on display at the Sammlung Alter Musikinstrumente (Collection of Ancient Musical Instruments. The instruments were designed more for show than for playing; horns shaped like serpents and violins with carved faces are some of the elaborate pieces on display. Note the baroque cabinet incorporating a keyboard from the early 17th century (in Saal XI) - it's beautiful, but a strange combination.

The forward-thinking Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol started the whole thing off by collecting rare instruments; it now ranks among the finest Renaissance collections in the world.

The admission price includes entry to two adjoining collections. The Ephesus Museum contains artefacts from Ephesus and Samothrace supposedly donated (some say 'lifted') by the Sultan in 1900 after a team of Austrian archaeologists excavated the famous site in Turkey.

Noted as one of the finest museums of its kind in the world, the Hofjagd und Rüstkammer (Arms and Armour) collection dates mostly from the 15th and 16th centuries and has some superb examples of ancient armour. Most look far too elaborate to actually wear into battle, or just plain impractical - the bizarre pumpkin-shaped helmet from the 15th century is just one example.

Audio guides are available for around €2 and the three museums are included in the price of a Gold, Silver or Bronze ticket.