Wien Museum Haydnhaus — Attraction in Vienna

In 1793, aged around 61, Haydn bought a house in Gumpendorf, which was then a leafy and quiet village outside Vienna and now forms part of the city’s 6th district.

It would be four years until Haydn moved in (among other things, he filled the intervening time with a long trip to London), but the house became his residence until his death there in 1809. Haydn’s occupancy coincides with perhaps his period of greatest celebrity.

Fortunately for us, the building has survived intact. The fine folk at the Wien Museum turned it into a small, permanent Haydn exhibition and restored the house with delicate historical accuracy.

INSIDE THE HAYDN HOUSE

Rather incongruously, a virtual parrot greets you when you enter the courtyard through the big wooden doors. Apparently, Haydn bought a...

This was where Haydn resided for the last 12 years of his life. Gave us a great insight into Haydn’s late life and time in Vienna. Original compositions and documents were interesting, and many of his possessions were preserved, including his last piano. This exhibition was not busy in the late afternoon when we went, and gave us time to slowly digest each piece. No need to purchase tickets in advance. To add a cherry on top, there is a room designated to Brahms, as his apartment was destroyed. I can’t recommend this enough for a lover of classical music or anyone...

I loved visiting Haydnhaus. It's not very big but it is simply wonderful. It felt like a real privilege to walk through his home getting a small glimpse into his real life. What a lovely way to honour him as an all round great guy and as the fantastic and important composer. It's the best composers house I've ever visited. Staff were fantastic. The only thing missing is perhaps some of his music playing somewhere.... might hide the noise from the incredibly creeky floors upstairs. I wondered to myself if Haydn had heard the same...