Interactive museum on the life and work of Johann Sebastian Bach in the Baroque Bosehaus opposite Leipzig's Thomaskirche.
May 21, 2026 – December 13, 2026
Part of the theme year "Tacheles 2026," this exhibition examines books from Bach's library and the role of Jewish collectors such as Max Abraham and Henri Hinrichsen in preserving Bach's music; accompanied by listening stations and concerts.
The Bosehaus on Thomaskirchhof is one of the oldest buildings on the square. From 1710, gold and silver merchant Georg Heinrich Bose had the Renaissance house converted into a Baroque merchant's house with a festival hall. The Bose family were close friends of Johann Sebastian Bach, who lived across the square in the Thomasschule, which was later demolished.
In the 18th century the house was home to a publicly accessible art collection, and from 1893 to the music history museum of instrument collector Paul de Wit; later, parts of it served as a restaurant, a variety theater and, until 2007, as the venue of the cabaret "Leipziger Pfeffermühle."
The Bach-Archiv Leipzig, founded in 1950, set up a small memorial in the entrance hall in 1973 and, after extensive reconstruction, moved entirely into the Bosehaus in 1985, where it opened the Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Museum. For the 250th anniversary of Bach's death in 2000, the exhibition was redesigned and expanded.
After a thorough renovation from 2008 to 2010, the museum reopened as the Bach-Museum Leipzig: across some 450 square meters, twelve rooms with sound and hands-on stations tell the story of Bach's life, his family and Bach research; an annex houses the special exhibition space and the treasury. The Baroque Sommersaal (summer hall) serves as a concert hall. Since 2018 the Bach-Archiv, together with other Leipzig music sites, has held the European Heritage Label.
| Adults | €14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €9 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission under 18. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €12 per personGroup tours (up to 25 people, plus admission): €85 (60 min.), €100 in a foreign language; with the Thomaskirche (90 min.) €120, €145 in a foreign language. Booking at museum@bach-leipzig.de. |
| Admission including the Virtual Bach Experience | €25 |
| Touch tour (groups, for blind and visually impaired visitors) | €2Surcharge per person on top of reduced admission; companions free. |
Free admission: Every first Tuesday of the month
Prices valid from March 1, 2026. Free audio guides. Public guided tours (Fri 15:00, Sun 11:00) included in admission.
Push-button entrance door, approx. 4 cm drop at the entrance. Exhibition (second floor) and concert hall (third floor) reachable by elevator; the passage to the composing room is only 60 cm wide. Induction loops at listening stations, neck loops available to borrow; multimedia guide with videos in German Sign Language; audio tour for blind visitors with directions, tactile overview map and Braille at touch stations; audio guide and booklet in Easy Read German (Leichte Sprache); sensory-friendly materials for autistic visitors.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
Family tours with a museum educator (recommended for ages 5 and up), hands-on programs and workshops for children and teens; downloadable activity box with ideas for school and leisure.
Thomaskirche
Tram 9 and bus 89 to the Thomaskirche stop.
Parking available
Parking garage on the north side of Thomaskirchhof; bus parking on the west side of the Thomaskirche.
Coat check and lockers on the ground level in the foyer; online shop of the Bach-Archiv. Small Baroque garden.
Up to 70 guests.
Baroque Sommersaal with courtyard and garden: standing reception up to 70, concert up to 60, dinner up to 40, seminar up to 22 people. Rental €75/hour (nonprofit), €100/hour (private), €150/hour (corporate); free choice of caterer.
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE, EN, FR, IT, ES, NL, PL, RU, ZH, JA, KO) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free audio guide in 11 languages plus accessible versions (not for tour groups), also available as a free app. Public guided tours on Fridays at 15:00 and Sundays at 11:00 included in admission (duration not stated); group tours (60 min., with the Thomaskirche 90 min.) must be booked in advance. Concerts in the Sommersaal. Educational programs for daycare centers and schools. |
Cookies help you use this website. We only load the map and statistics with your consent.
