Haus Wahnfried

About the museum

Richard Wagner had Villa Wahnfried built to his own specifications with financial support from King Ludwig II of Bavaria and lived here from 1874 until his death in 1883; his grave lies in the garden. The house remained in the family's possession until 1966. In 1945 it was badly damaged by bombs, and between 1974 and 1976 it was rebuilt in its original form.

The Richard Wagner Museum opened here in 1976 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Bayreuth Festival. It took over the holdings of the municipal Wagner memorial, which had existed since 1925, and is run by the Richard-Wagner-Stiftung, founded in 1973. The museum includes the National Archive with the handwritten papers of Richard and Cosima Wagner, scores, letters, a research library and image and sound archives.

After five years of renovation and expansion, the museum reopened in 2015. Since then it has consisted of three parts: Haus Wahnfried presents the composer's life and work; a new building designed by the architect Volker Staab covers the performance history of the Festival with stage set models, costumes and stage technology; and the Siegfried Wagner-Haus, where Winifred Wagner lived until 1980, documents the history of ideology up to the family's close ties with National Socialism and Hitler.

In 2026 the museum celebrates its 50th anniversary together with the 150th anniversary of the Festival.

Highlights

• Original rooms of Villa Wahnfried, including the salon and hall
• Grave of Richard and Cosima Wagner in the garden
• Historical stage set models and costumes from the Bayreuth Festival
• Siegfried Wagner-Haus with an exhibition on the Nazi past
• Interactive score for following Wagner's compositional process
• National Archive with Wagner's handwritten papers

Permanent exhibitions

• Haus Wahnfried – Leben, Werk und Schaffen Richard Wagners – The living rooms show family life around 1880; on the lower level, visitors can trace Wagner's working process through to the finished score.
• Neubau – Aufführungsgeschichte der Bayreuther Festspiele – Historical stage set models, original costumes and stage technology from the Festspielhaus (Festival Theater).
• Siegfried Wagner-Haus – Ideologiegeschichte – In the preserved rooms from the 1930s, the focus is on the appropriation of Wagner and the family's relationship with National Socialism.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Richard-Wagner-Stiftung Bayreuth

Director

Dr. Sven Friedrich

Admission & discounts

Special exhibitions and media guide are included in admission. Free admission also for Bayreuth Festival performers and staff, holders of the Bayerische Ehrenamtskarte (Bavarian volunteer card), members of the Deutscher Museumsbund and the press. Private guided tours (approx. 90 min., max. 25 people): €70 in German, €90 in English/French, plus €8 admission per person in each case.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

Accessible except for the western mezzanine in Haus Wahnfried (spiral staircase only). Accessible entrance to the new building to the right of the main entrance; elevators in the new building and in Haus Wahnfried, wheelchair-accessible toilets in both buildings; the Siegfried Wagner-Haus can be reached via a ramp. Accessible parking spaces on Wahnfriedstraße and Rathstraße.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Puzzle booklet “Entdeckungstour durchs Haus Wahnfried” (Discovery tour through Haus Wahnfried) for ages 7 to 11 at the ticket desk (nominal fee €2), with a small gift for the solution word. Interactive score in the museum.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Wahnfried in the former gardener's house next to Haus Wahnfried (also bookable for events). Museum shop in the foyer of the new building.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 200 guests.

Available outside opening hours for cultural occasions such as receptions, lectures and concerts: the hall and salon in Haus Wahnfried (up to 96 seats, historic grand piano), the special exhibition space in the new building (up to 200 seats), the cinema (60 seats), and the garden with terrace (approx. 40 standing).

Plan your visit