Vienna - Dorotheum

The Dorotheum is one of the largest pawnbroking institutions in the world. The Viennese call it either "Tante Dorothee" or just "Pfandl" (The Pawn). The origins of the Dorotheum go back to 1707 when the Emperor Joseph I founded an office for pawnbroking. It was moved in 1787 into the Dorothea Monastery which was empty at the time and these premises later underwent large- scale construction in neo-Baroque style.

There are 2,400 auctions a year, dealing with over 700,000 objects. In Vienna alone the Dorotheum has 16 branches. In the main building there are sections for furniture, carpets, pictures, small objects, furs, objets d'art, stamps, books and jewelry. The four major art auctions, in March, June, September and November, attract experts from all over the world. The Dorotheum is worth a visit if only for its exciting atmosphere. Auctions take place Mon.-Fri. at 2 p.m. and Sat. at 10am, open sales Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., viewing Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 8.30am-noon. There are many antique shops to browse through in the neighboring streets.