Händel-Haus

Current exhibitions

About the museum

George Frideric Handel was born in 1685 in the corner house on today's Große Nikolaistraße, which his father, a ducal surgeon, had acquired in 1666. The Renaissance building with medieval cellars remained in the family's possession into the 18th century and was then used by merchants as a residential and commercial building.

In 1937 the City of Halle bought the property to establish a municipal music museum there and began building a collection of instruments, pictures, and music manuscripts and prints. Following repair work, the museum opened in June 1948. For the Bach-Handel-Schütz commemoration in 1985, it was expanded to include a neighboring building with a chamber music hall and library; the modern glass hall was added in 2001.

Since 2008 the museum has been run as the Stiftung Händel-Haus foundation, whose director also heads the Handel Festival (Händel-Festspiele). For the 250th anniversary of Handel's death in 2009, the building was renovated and the award-winning permanent exhibition "Händel – der Europäer" (Handel – the European) opened, which uses around 160 exhibits to trace Handel's youth in Halle and his career in Italy and London. The instrument collection comprises some 750 objects, a selection of which is on view in the exhibition "Historische Musikinstrumente" (Historical Musical Instruments). The foundation also operates the Wilhelm-Friedemann-Bach-Haus with the exhibition "Musikstadt Halle" (Music City Halle) and is one of the cultural institutions of national importance listed in the federal government's Blaubuch (Blue Book).

Highlights

• Handel's birthplace with a Renaissance plank-paneled room
• Permanent exhibition "Händel – der Europäer" (iF Design Award)
• Miniature Baroque theater with animated Handel operas
• Collection of historical musical instruments, including playable objects
• Late Baroque organ in the glass hall

Permanent exhibitions

• Händel – der Europäer – Around 160 exhibits on two floors tell of Handel's youth in Halle and his career in Italy and London, complemented by a miniature opera house with animated films.
• Historische Musikinstrumente – A selection from some 750 instruments from the Baroque to the Romantic era, including harpsichords, a glass harmonica, and mechanical music instruments; some objects may be played.

Founded

1948

Operated by

Stiftung Händel-Haus

Director

Florian Amort

Admission & discounts

Prices valid since September 1, 2026 (previously single ticket €7.50, reduced €5, family ticket €15). Admission is valid for permanent and special exhibitions. Members of the friends' association free. Participates in the "Schlüsselbund Hallesche Museen" (Halle museums key ring) program.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Historic building with only limited accessibility: entrance accessible, upper exhibition rooms only partially wheelchair-accessible. As a "Sprechende Sehenswürdigkeit" (talking landmark) of the Freiwilligen-Agentur Halle, information is available in sign language (video) and plain language (audio file).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

"Händel junior" media tour for children in the permanent exhibition (ten info points via the museum Wi-Fi, five animated films). During school holidays, a musical museum tour for families, and on selected dates hands-on activities in the sound lab. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Museum shop with more than 100 items (sheet music, books, CDs). Coats, backpacks, and bags must be stored in lockers. Free Wi-Fi "Haendel-Gast".

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 128 guests.

Chamber music hall (up to 128 people), glass hall (approx. 100, March–October only), Romanesque vault (approx. 30), Renaissance conference room (20), and foyer (only together with the chamber music hall). Weddings via the Halle registry office.

Plan your visit