Kunsthistorisches Museum Collection of old musical instruments © WienTourismus / Paul Bauer

THE PLACE TO EXPLORE

VIENNA AND THE MUSEUM: EVERYTHING IS MUSIC

Vienna is undoubtedly the world capital of music. If you love classical music, Vienna is at the top of your list of favorite travel destinations. A fascinating historical heritage is combined here with a history that includes the greatest musicians and composers of the past centuries.

The Vienna State Opera, the Vienna Boys’ Choir and the New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra are famous and a place of pilgrimage for music fans from all over the world. It is therefore not surprising that Vienna also has a number of museums dedicated to music.

House of Music

An entire building in the center of Vienna is dedicated to music. The former palace, whose building structures date back to the 15th century, is located at Seilerstätte 30 and has been home to the

House of Music

.

On 4 floors you can experience, feel and produce music in a unique way. From the masters of the classical period to the sounds of the future, music is rediscovered through fascinating and ultra-modern hands-on installations.

Conduct an orchestra yourself, compose your own waltz or slip into the role of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. You are guaranteed to be fascinated by the countless interactive possibilities offered by this sound museum. The House of Music is open daily from 10.00 to 22.00!

HDM – Virtual conductor © Hanna Pribitzer 5430

Kunsthistorisches Museum Collection of old musical instruments © WienTourismus / Paul Bauer

Old musical instruments

Very special treasures can be found in the

collection of old musical instruments

at Vienna’s Heldenplatz. The historic building, which also houses the National Library, is the perfect setting for countless valuable instruments from past centuries.

The former Habsburg collection contains unique Renaissance woodwind instruments from the 16th century, as well as valuable Viennese fortepianos and string instruments by Jacob Stainer.

In addition, there are numerous instruments from the Viennese Classical period, which can be used to illustrate the musical history of this period. The collection of old musical instruments is open every day except Wednesday from 10.00 to 18.00.

World-famous musical geniuses

From Beethoven to Mozart and Strauss – many famous musicians and composers have lived and worked in Vienna. A great way to trace these musical geniuses and their work is to visit a number of preserved apartments and houses where the artists once lived and worked.

You can visit two of Franz Schubert’s (1797-1828) apartments,

Schubert’s birthplace

and

Schubert’s residence

. The life and work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) is commemorated in

Mozart’s residence

in the center of Vienna. Numerous objects relating to his life and art can be viewed on 6 floors.

Two residences of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) have also been preserved. A former apartment in Vienna’s 19th district was transformed into a

Beethoven Museum

was redesigned. In Vienna’s city center, there is also an apartment in the so-called

Pasqualati House

can be visited.

One of Joseph Haydn’s (1732-1809) houses has also been preserved, namely the

Haydn House

in the 6th district of Vienna. The two-storey house has been converted into a museum dedicated to the life and work of the composer. Johann Strauss Sohn (1825-1899) is also known to have built an

apartment

is preserved. In addition to original pieces of furniture, it also displays the waltz king’s instruments and everyday objects.

Beethoven Museum © Vienna Tourist Board / Paul Bauer

Discover more museums in Vienna:

Vienna and the museum: the classics of sightseeing

Vienna and the museum: the moderns

More Highlights