Mozart’s Birthplace

Mozart’s Birthplace, a townhouse in Salzburg, has been transformed into a museum of the composer’s life. Set over 3 floors, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is also where he lived on the third floor with his sister and parents from his birth on 27 January 1756 until 1773. The rooms can be viewed in their original state and include artefacts such as some of his instruments, documents, keepsakes and portraits.

Mozart’s Birthplace history

The house where Mozart was born was built in the 12th century in Salzburg, Austria. The site had previously been part of a garden belonging to the Benedictine Monks of St Peter’s in Salzburg. In 1408, a merchant Otto Keutzal is mentioned as the owner, later passing to the court’s apothecary, Chunrad Fröschmoser in 1585. As testimony to his ownership, above the doorway was carved a coiled serpent in a lion’s mouth – symbol of Asclepius the Greek hero and god of medicine.

In 1703 the house came under the ownership of the Hagenauers who arrived in Salzberg around 1670, and who were to become the landlords of the Mozart family. Leopold Mozart married Anna Maria Pertle in November 1747, he rented an apartment on the third floor which included a kitchen, living room, cabinet, bedroom and office. It was here their 7 children were born including Wolfgang Amadeus in 1756. The family moved out in 1773.

Since 1880, the house has been a museum dedicated to Mozart, introducing visitors to the early life of the composer.

Mozart’s Birthplace today

Today, explore the Salzburg house dedicated to the composer. The exhibits of the third floor include Mozart’s childhood violin and harpsichord alongside family letters, portraits and early versions of his music. The house’s second floor is devoted to Mozart’s passion for opera, housing the clavichord on which he composed The Magic Flute. The first floor reconstructs life in Mozart’s lifetime with period furniture.

The museum is open from 10-3 Wednesday to Sunday and offers mobile phone text guides to accompany exhibits lining the museum walls. Be aware Mozart’s Birthplace is not wheelchair accessible. However, a virtual tour online is accessible for those who do not get the chance to go inside the historic house.

Getting to Mozart’s Birthplace

If using public transport, the closest stop is Salzburg Rathaus, on the routes 25, 27, 28, 840 and O-Bus 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14. From here it is a 2 minute walk to Mozart’s Birthplace. For those driving, the historic house is just off Salzburg’s 150 road – head for the 24 hour Parkplatz Basteigasse, a 10 minute walk away.