One of the world's largest collections of musical instruments: five centuries of music history in Leipzig's GRASSI, plus a sound lab and study collection.
March 14, 2026 – January 31, 2027
The exhibition for the Paul de Wit theme year introduces the collector, publisher and instrument maker whose collection the museum is based on, and shows many pieces never displayed before.
The foundation was laid by Paul de Wit, a music publisher and collector from Maastricht, who from 1886 publicly displayed historic musical instruments in Leipzig and occasionally had them played. Because the city of Leipzig did not acquire the collection, he sold it in 1905 to the Cologne paper manufacturer Wilhelm Heyer, who added further important collections – including those of the Florentine Baron Alessandro Kraus and the piano maker Ibach – and opened it in Cologne in 1913 as the Musikhistorisches Museum.
After Heyer's death, the Saxon state bought the collection in 1926 for the University of Leipzig, with a generous donation from music publisher Henri Hinrichsen (C. F. Peters). The city provided the north wing of the newly built Grassimuseum, where the museum opened on May 30, 1929.
In December 1943 the building burned out after a bombing raid; the pianos of the Ibach collection, the archive and the library were lost, and holdings that had been moved elsewhere were only partly returned. From the early 1950s, the museum was gradually rebuilt and expanded through purchases and donations.
Today the collection comprises around 10,000 objects. The chronological tour "Die Suche nach dem vollkommenen Klang" (The Search for the Perfect Sound) leads through 13 chapters from the Renaissance to the 1950s, highlighting Leipzig's role as a city of music. It is complemented by a study collection with instruments from around the world and a sound lab for trying things out. The museum also serves the university's research and teaching.
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3School students, university students, trainees, people with a severe disability ID, holders of the Leipzig-Pass, Leipzig-Card and Ehrenamtspass (volunteer pass) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Children and teens up to age 18 free. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3companion free · Reduced with a severe disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis). |
| Students & apprentices | €3Students and staff of the University of Leipzig free; school and student groups free as part of a course. |
| Groups (8+ people) | €5 per personGuided tour for 8–25 people: €50 per group plus €5 admission per person; free cancellation up to 48 hours in advance. |
| Families | –No family ticket; free admission with the Familienpass Sachsen (Saxony family pass). |
Free admission: every first Wednesday of the month (exceptions possible)
Cash only. Free admission also for press, ICOM and DMB members. Museum education programs €3 (60 min) or €5 (90 min or more) per person including admission, weekdays only. A joint combined ticket for the three GRASSI museums is currently not offered on the official websites. Concert prices vary by event.
Two accessible parking spaces on the east side (Täubchenweg), from there level access across the courtyard to the entrance; elevator to the right of the entrance stairs up to the ticket foyer, further elevators to all exhibition rooms. Accessible restroom with baby changing table in the ticket foyer, charging point for electric wheelchairs. Free folding stools; guide and signal dogs welcome.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
On selected Sundays at 14:30, "Familienzeit" (Family Time) with a guided tour followed by hands-on time in the sound lab, where visitors may play instruments themselves; holiday programs for elementary school children with registration. Baby changing tables in the GRASSI's accessible restrooms.
Johannisplatz/Grassimuseum
Tram 4, 7, 12, 15 to Johannisplatz/Grassimuseum (two stops from the main train station).
Parking available
No dedicated parking; the underground parking garage at Augustusplatz is recommended (museum approx. 300 m to the east). Two accessible parking spaces on the east side (Täubchenweg) with level access.
"Café im Grassi" in the building; museum shop (also online). Lockers at the coat check, larger luggage at the ticket desk by arrangement. Free municipal Wi-Fi in the foyers.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography for private purposes permitted, without flash, tripod or selfie stick. |
| Good to know | Public Sunday guided tours, silent film screenings with cinema organ and concerts according to the events calendar. The instruments on display cannot be played, but numerous audio samples and the sound lab invite you to try things out. Book group tours and school programs through visitor services. |
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