Mozart Residence: Following in the footsteps of the musical genius in Salzburg
The Mozart Residence in Salzburg was the residence of the Mozart family from 1773 to 1787. Today, the building houses a museum that offers a deep insight into the life and music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Original exhibits, historical documents and musical works make this place a significant cultural highlight in Salzburg that fascinates music lovers and history buffs alike.
Short info:
- How long did Mozart live there? From 1773 to 1787, the Mozart family lived in the “Tanzmeisterhaus” on today’s Makartplatz. Not to be confused with the birthplace.
- Where is Mozart's residence? Makartplatz 8, 5020 Salzburg
- What is there to see there? Today the house is a museum
- When are the opening hours? July + August*, daily 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m., from September, daily 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.; December 24th: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; last admission 30 minutes before closing time
- How much does the entrance fee cost? Adults 12€. Salzburg Card: one-time free entry. Here you can find all prices.
- How much time should I plan for? about 1/2 hour
The house in general
The history of the house at Makartplatz No. 8 dates back to 1617. Unfortunately, we were unable to take a photo of the facade for you as it was being renovated during our visit. Originally, it consisted of two separate buildings until 1685. It was first mentioned in 1713 as the "Tanzmeisterhaus" From 1711, Lorenz Spöckner gave dance lessons to nobles and prepared them for court life. The “Dance Master’s House” on Makartplatz was the residence of the Mozart familyThis spacious eight-room first-floor apartment was later converted into a museum.
The Mozarts move in
In 1773, the Mozart family, friends of the Spöckners, moved here after their third trip to Vienna. Their birthplace in the Getreidegasse had become too small for social receptions. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived in this house on Makartplatz until he moved to Vienna in 1781. His mother died in 1778, and his sister Nannerl married in 1784 and moved to St. GilgenHis father remained alone and lived in the apartment from 1785 together with his grandson Leopold Alois Pantaleon.
Destruction in World War II and Reconstruction
After Leopold Mozart's death on May 28, 1787, the house had various owners. On October 16, 1944, two-thirds of the building was destroyed by an aerial bomb. The remaining part was purchased by the International Mozarteum Foundation in 1955. An office building was built on the destroyed part, which the foundation also purchased in 1989. After the building was demolished, the Mozart residence was reconstructed true to the original according to old plans.
The Museum in the “Mozart Residence”
On 26 January 1996, the Mozart Residence was reopened as a museum. Here you can see Mozart's fortepiano admire many original documents and portraits. The exhibition informs you about the history of the house, Mozart's years in Salzburg and the life of the Mozart family.
The Magic Flute House
The history of the Magic Flute House goes back to 1791, when Mozart is said to have composed his famous work “The Magic Flute” in this small hut. It originally stood in the garden of the Freihaustheater in Vienna, where the opera was premiered in September 1791. In 1873, the house was brought to Salzburg on the initiative of the Mozarteum Foundation.
The small wooden house is located in the courtyard of Mozart's residence and is an integral part of the museum visit - unless, in our case, it is closed due to a construction site. Nevertheless, we were allowed to take a quick photo from the outside. During the renovation work in summer 2022, the house was painted in the green color in which it shone in Mozart's time.
Overall, we found the Mozart Residence to be OK, because it was Salzburg Card is included for free. For real Mozart fans it is definitely a must, but everyone else won't miss much if they don't visit it.
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