Beethoven Museum

About the museum

In the summer and autumn of 1802, Ludwig van Beethoven lived in a house on Probusgasse in what was then the spa town of Heiligenstadt, today part of Vienna's 19th district. The composer hoped the nearby mineral springs would relieve his growing hearing loss. His hope was not fulfilled: it was here that the so-called Heiligenstadt Testament was written, a letter to his brothers that was never sent, in which he lays bare his despair at his impending deafness. At the same time, Beethoven worked in Heiligenstadt on significant works, including the piano sonatas Op. 31 with the "Tempest" Sonata and early sketches for the "Eroica".

In 1970 the City of Vienna set up a Beethoven memorial in the surviving rooms, which today belongs to the Wien Museum. An extension turned it into the Beethoven Museum, which occupies roughly 265 square metres in several rooms on different levels around a courtyard.

The exhibition combines documents, objects and numerous audio samples. It tells of Beethoven's youth in Bonn, his move to Vienna, the spa town of Heiligenstadt and how he dealt with his illness, but also of composing, earning a living, the concert life of his time and his posthumous fame. On display are, among other things, ear trumpets and a sound amplifier for his piano; at listening stations visitors can follow how the composer perceived his surroundings with failing hearing.

Highlights

• Beethoven's original living quarters from 1802
• Site of the Heiligenstadt Testament
• Ear trumpets and piano sound amplifier
• Listening stations on Beethoven's declining hearing
• Courtyard and garden in the village-like Heiligenstadt

Permanent exhibition

• Beethoven Museum – Dauerausstellung – A tour through Beethoven's living quarters in Heiligenstadt on the composer's life, work, hearing loss and posthumous fame, with many music samples and listening stations.

Founded

1970

Operated by

Museen der Stadt Wien – Wien Museum

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month.

Free admission with the Wien Museum annual pass, ICOM card and Kulturpass ("Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur"). Payment in cash or by debit card (Bankomatkarte).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Not accessible: the courtyard gate has a threshold, the ticket desk/shop and toilets are two steps higher each, and the six exhibition areas on different levels can only be reached by stairs. Benches in the courtyard and seating at some stations.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available

Children and young people under 19 have free admission. Strollers can be left in the courtyard and garden, as most rooms can only be reached by stairs.

Getting there & parking

Travel with Wiener Linien (route planner at wienerlinien.at). There are no bicycle parking spaces nearby.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi: not available

Small museum shop with music and Beethoven items; cloakroom (no liability) and lockers. Food brought from outside may be eaten in the garden, not in the exhibition rooms.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit