What sounds like a German buddy cop movie is actually the title of an annual medieval and military reenactment weekend that takes place at Vienna’s Heeresgeschichtliches Museum.
- Show fights and weapon demonstrations
- Historical musical entertainment included
- Also has market stalls and medieval crafts
- 2024 dates: TBA (was July 8-9 in 2023)
- See also:
Uniforms and gunsmoke
(Cannons line the front of the museum)
“Montur und Pulverdampf” translates roughly as “Uniform and gunsmoke”, which hints at what you can expect from this event.
Travel back in time to experience various eras of military history through demonstrations, reenactments, and shows…all mixed in with food, music, and even a medieval market.
Montur & Pulverdampf predates modern warfare. So you might watch as reenactment specialists demonstrate the art of sword fighting and archery, and others wander round in early 20th-century regimental attire (though the event has a strong medieval focus).
One year, for example, highlights included:
- A “living chess” show, which had live pieces acting out a game of chess and disposing of the opponents using a variety of techniques…from poisoned chalices to shield bashing
- Rhiannon, who continue the tradition of the medieval minstrels with their own music and interpretations performed on historical instruments
- Dresch-Flegel, who put on medieval shows, fights, and similar. They ended each day at Montur & Pulverdampf with a fire show, for example
- Trollferd, another group playing historical music as it was intended, from the late medieval through to early baroque
Dates and tickets
I don’t have 2024 dates at the time of writing, but swords are usually drawn over a July weekend: the 8th and 9th in 2023 when opening times were:
- Saturday: 10am to 10pm
- Sunday: 10am to 8pm
Montur & Pulverdampf happens in the rear grounds of the Museum of Military History; you need a ticket to get in.
However, entry is usually free if you’re wearing some kind of medieval costume. Though you probably won’t be packing your halberd and breastplate given airline excess baggage fees.
Incidentally, the same location commonly hosts a medieval Christmas market for a few days during advent.
How to get to the event
Check out the main article for the Museum of Military History for travel tips and subway/tram suggestions.
Address: Arsenal, Objekt 1, Ghegastraße, 1030 Vienna