Richard Wagner Museum

About the museum

The museum is housed in the country house in which Richard Wagner lived as a tenant from 1866 to 1872. The roots of the listed building on the shore of Lake Lucerne go back to the 15th century; its present appearance with the regular rows of windows dates from around 1800. In the 18th century the Lucerne patrician family Am Rhyn acquired the estate as a summer house; Wagner's landlord was Colonel Walter Am Rhyn.

After Wagner moved to Bayreuth, the house stood empty for a long time or served as holiday accommodation. In 1931 the City of Lucerne bought the property together with about 30,000 square metres of parkland in order to make it accessible to the public; two years later, in 1933, the museum was founded. From 1943 to 2009 the upper floor displayed Heinrich Schumacher's collection of historical musical instruments, which can now be seen in the Haus der Instrumente in Kriens.

The permanent exhibition on the ground floor was redesigned between November 2022 and April 2023. Instead of display cases, an audio guide now leads through the former living rooms, which are furnished with restored and original furniture. The showpiece is Wagner's Érard grand piano from Paris, dating from 1858, which is still playable today and is used for concerts during public tours. The upper floor is used for changing exhibitions about Wagner.

Highlights

• Former living rooms of Richard Wagner in the Tribschen country house
• Playable Érard grand piano from Paris, 1858
• Audio guide with 22 stations in six languages
• Park and location directly on Lake Lucerne
• Themed tours on Wagner's daily life and on the reception of Wagner

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung zu Leben und Werk Richard Wagners – In the former living rooms on the ground floor, an audio guide leads through Wagner's Lucerne years; on display are original and restored furniture as well as the Érard grand piano of 1858.

Founded

1933

Operated by

Stadt Luzern

Director

Monika Sigrist

Admission & discounts

According to the museum, holders of the Swiss Museum Pass, the Lucerne Museum Pass, the Raiffeisen card, the Swiss Travel Pass and the KulturLegi have free admission. The audio guide is included in the admission price.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• 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 historic building is only partly accessible: nine steps with a handrail lead to the entrance, and the forecourt has a gravel surface. The permanent exhibition on the ground floor is wheelchair accessible; the rooms on the first floor can only be reached by stairs. A wheelchair-accessible outdoor toilet is available; there is seating in the exhibition rooms.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

Children up to 10 years have free admission; a school programme for lower and upper secondary levels is in development.

Getting there & parking

On foot from the station in about 25 minutes along the lake, with a short steep stretch at the end. By car from Bundesplatz take Tribschenstrasse out of town, and after Sankt Anton church turn left into Warteggstrasse.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available

Summer café in dry weather (April at weekends, May and September Monday–Saturday 11 am–7 pm and Sunday 10 am–7 pm, June to August daily 10 am–9 pm).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Rooms for private events, small talks and concerts (from CHF 250 for the first hour); chamber concerts on Wagner's original grand piano on request.

Plan your visit