Quick Info:
- How long did Mozart live there? The Mozart family lived in the “Tanzmeisterhaus” at today’s Makartplatz from 1773 to 1787. Not to be confused with the birthplace.
- Where is Mozart Residence located? Makartplatz 8, 5020 Salzburg
- What is there to see? Today, the house is a museum.
- What are the opening hours? July + August*, daily from 8:30 am to 7 pm, from September, daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm; December 24th: 9 am to 3 pm; last admission 30 minutes before closing.
- How much is the admission fee? Adults €12. Salzburg Card: one-time free entry. Find all prices here.
- How much time should I plan? About 1/2 hour
The House in General
The historical history of the house at Makartplatz No. 8 dates back to 1617. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take a photo of the facade for you as it was undergoing renovation during our visit. Originally, it consisted of two separate buildings until 1685. It was first mentioned as the “Tanzmeisterhaus” in 1713. Starting in 1711, Lorenz Spöckner offered dance lessons there to nobles, preparing them for courtly life. The “Tanzmeisterhaus” on Makartplatz was the residence of the Mozart family from 1773 to 1787. This spacious apartment on the first floor with eight rooms was later transformed 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 on Getreidegasse had become too small for social gatherings. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived in this house on Makartplatz until he moved to Vienna in 1781. His mother passed away in 1778, and his sister Nannerl married in 1784 and moved to St. Gilgen. His father remained alone and occupied the apartment from 1785, along with his grandson Leopold Alois Pantaleon.
Destruction in World War II and Reconstruction
After the death of Leopold Mozart on May 28, 1787, the house had various owners. On October 16, 1944, the building was two-thirds destroyed by an air raid bomb. The preserved part was acquired by the International Mozart Foundation in 1955. An office building was constructed on the destroyed part, which the foundation also purchased in 1989. After its demolition, Mozart Residence was reconstructed faithfully according to old plans.
The Museum in “Mozart Residence”
On January 26, 1996, Mozart Residence reopened as a museum. Here, you can admire Mozart’s fortepiano along with 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 Pavilion
The history of the Magic Flute Pavilion dates back to 1791 when Mozart allegedly composed his famous work “The Magic Flute” in this small hut. Originally, it stood in the garden of the Freihaustheater in Vienna, where the opera premiered in September 1791. In 1873, the pavilion was brought to Salzburg on the initiative of the Mozarteum Foundation.
The small wooden house is located in the courtyard of Mozart Residence and is an integral part of the museum visit—unless, in our case, it was closed due to construction work. Nevertheless, we were allowed to take a quick photo from the outside. During the renovation work in the summer of 2022, the house was painted in the green color it had during Mozart’s time.
Overall, we found Mozart Residence to be okay because it is included for free with the Salzburg Card. For true Mozart fans, it’s definitely a must-visit, but others won’t miss too much if they skip it.