Beethoven-Haus

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in December 1770 in the rear building of Bonngasse 20, one of the few surviving 18th-century townhouses in Bonn; the family moved on in 1774. When the building was in danger of falling into ruin a good hundred years later, twelve Bonn citizens founded the Verein Beethoven-Haus (Beethoven House Association) on February 24, 1889, to acquire it, restore it and use it as a memorial. Its first honorary members included Johannes Brahms, Clara Schumann and Giuseppe Verdi.

Following a major Beethoven exhibition in 1890, the museum was inaugurated on May 10, 1893. Outstanding acquisitions came early, such as Beethoven's last fortepiano by Conrad Graf and the autograph manuscripts of the “Moonlight Sonata” and the “Pastoral Symphony”. In 1927 the Beethoven-Archiv was added as a research institute. During the Nazi era the association brought itself into line with the regime of its own accord; the collection was moved to safety during the war, and the house was saved during the bombing raid of October 1944.

In 1956 the Zurich collector Hans Conrad Bodmer bequeathed around 750 documents and objects to the house, and in 1989, for the association's centenary, the Kammermusiksaal Hermann J. Abs (chamber music hall) opened. Today the Beethoven-Haus holds the largest and most diverse Beethoven collection in the world, much of which is also accessible digitally.

For the composer's 250th birthday, the museum was expanded and reopened in December 2019 with a thematically redesigned permanent exhibition, a treasury, a music room and spaces for temporary exhibitions. It is still run by the nonprofit association, with funding from the federal government, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Landschaftsverband Rheinland and the City of Bonn.

Highlights

• Birthplace with the room traditionally identified as the birth room, now presented with media installations
• Beethoven's last fortepiano by Conrad Graf
• Original manuscripts such as the “Moonlight Sonata”, “Pastoral Symphony” and “Diabelli Variations”, shown on rotation in the treasury
• Portrait of Beethoven by Joseph Karl Stieler
• Music room with concerts on historical keyboard instruments
• Kammermusiksaal Hermann J. Abs chamber music hall with 199 seats

Permanent exhibitions

• Beethovens Geburts- und Wohnhaus – Thematically structured tour of the birthplace with more than 100 original items on Beethoven's life, circle of friends, working methods and hearing loss, plus the treasury and music room.

Founded

1893

Operated by

Verein Beethoven-Haus Bonn

Director

Malte Boecker

Admission & discounts

Higher prices apply during the special exhibition “Beethoven by Warhol” (September 9, 2026 – April 5, 2027): €17, reduced and children €12. “Happy Hour” from 17:00: €10. Free admission for groups including refugees, accredited journalists, members of ICOM and the Museumsbund, and, on the day of the concert, ticket holders for the house's Young Stars, children's and chamber concerts. Online tickets with time slots. Media guide free of charge.

Accessibility

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

In the museum, the ground floor, music room, courtyard and garden are accessible; otherwise the listed building has low ceiling beams, uneven stairs and different floor levels. Accessible toilet in the museum; the chamber music hall and shop are accessible but have no accessible toilet. Free media guides in Easy Language (Leichte Sprache), for blind and visually impaired people and in German Sign Language (reservation recommended). Bookable guided tours in Easy Language, for German learners, with tactile objects for visually impaired visitors and for people with dementia; for tours with hearing-impaired visitors, groups must bring their own sign language interpreter. Folding museum stools available; assistance dogs allowed. The museum rooms are not air-conditioned.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

Free children's media guide and museum case for exploring independently; Moonlight and Midsummer Night tours for children aged 7 and up (1.5 hrs.), children's birthday parties from age 4 (2.5 hrs.), holiday workshops, family concerts and music afternoons. Please leave strollers in the cloakroom area. Children under 10 only when accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum shop with ticket desk at Bonngasse 18/21 (Wed–Mon). Backpacks, large bags and suitcases must be stored in the cloakroom lockers.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 199 guests.

The Kammermusiksaal Hermann J. Abs (199 seats, air-conditioned, Steinway D grand piano) is available for concerts, conferences, private celebrations and corporate events; receptions in the museum garden or shop are possible. Hall rental for an evening event €1,000 plus €400 in additional costs, grand piano €400, garden and shop €300. Museum tours can also be booked outside opening hours.

Plan your visit