Brahms-Haus

About the museum

The simple, shingle-roofed house perched on a rock in Lichtental was originally a farmhouse and was converted into a residence in the mid-19th century. In 1865 Johannes Brahms first rented two rooms here from the widow Becker. Drawn by the landscape and the proximity of Clara Schumann, who lived on the Lichtentaler Allee, he returned again and again for the summer months until 1876.

During these years important works were written or matured in Baden-Baden, including parts of "A German Requiem", the String Sextet in G major, Op. 36, and work on the First and Second Symphonies. The house is considered the composer's only largely unaltered residence surviving in Germany.

In 1966 the Brahmsgesellschaft Baden-Baden was founded; in 1967 it bought the by then dilapidated building, saving it from demolition. Alongside the memorial rooms, the society set up a guest studio where hundreds of composers, musicologists and performers have stayed for working residencies since 1968. The society also organizes the Brahmstage festival every two years.

In recent years the first floor was restored in line with heritage standards with support from the city, the state, the EU and private donors; the building work was signed off in August 2023. Since then the house has presented the new permanent exhibition "Brahms in Baden-Baden", conceived by Wolfgang Sandberger of the Brahms-Institut Lübeck. In 2022 the Denkmalstiftung Baden-Württemberg named the Brahmshaus its Monument of the Month.

Highlights

• The only unaltered surviving residence of Johannes Brahms in Germany
• Listening cinema with music, stories and images about Brahms in Baden-Baden
• Interactive media table with six themes such as "Nature" and "Encounters"
• Listening stations on the upper floor with music and commentary
• Historic wallpaper layers and an angel motif uncovered during restoration

Permanent exhibitions

• Brahms in Baden-Baden – Permanent exhibition with a listening cinema, media table and listening stations about the composer's summer stays and the works created in Baden-Baden.

Operated by

Brahmsgesellschaft Baden-Baden e.V.

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission every first Monday of the month

Accessibility

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

The entrance is not accessible; the house sits on a rock and is reached via 49 steps.

Kids & families

Children up to age 15 have free admission.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

Events & venue rental

As far as we know, the museum does not rent out spaces for external events.

The Brahmsgesellschaft awards the guest studio in the house only by application, to composers, musicologists and performers for three-week working residencies.

Plan your visit