This historic theater was founded by Emanuel Schikaneder (best known as Mozart's librettist for The Magic Flute). The building was designed by Franz Jäger, and completed in 1801. Since opening it has been the venue for many historic premieres of opera, theatre, and symphonies, including Beethoven's Fidelio in 1805 and Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus in 1874; since 2006 it has functioned mostly as an opera house. The side entrance, known as Papagenotor, has a sculpture of Papageno, the character whose role was Schikaneder played in the premiere of The Magic Flute.

The Theater an der Wien is a historic theatre in Vienna located on the Left Wienzeile in the Mariahilf district. Completed in 1801, the theatre has hosted the premieres of many celebrated works of theatre, opera, and symphonic music. Since 2006, it has served primarily as an opera house, hosting its own company.

Although "Wien" is German for "Vienna", the "Wien" in the name of the theatre is actually the name of the Wien River, which once flowed by the theatre site; "an der Wien" means "on the banks of the Wien". In modern times, the river has been covered over in this location and the covered riverbed now houses the Naschmarkt, an open-air market.

The theatre is operated in cooperation with Vereinigte Bühnen Wien (VBW) which also operates the Raimund Theater and the Ronacher.