The Aldstadt, a Baroque palace, is home to the Vienna Jewish Museum. The palace dates back to the 11th century. A banking firm of Arnstein and Eskeles obtained it in 1823. By 1927, the owner was Count Nako de Szent Mikols. It underwent several other ownership changes, altering its use accordingly. Eventually, it became a Jewish Museum. After the rise of the Nazis, the museum was forced to close. It has since reopened.
The Jewish Museum offers exhibits on the culture and religious life of the Jews in Vienna. It has both temporary and permanent exhibits addressing various aspects of the Jewish life and culture in the city as well as those beyond. The influence and work of Jews in such areas as architecture, literature, music, photography and art are all topics the Jewish Museum has taken time to address and explore. There are also exhibits addressing the serious issues in a mixed society of anti-Semitism.