The house of birth of the big composer in the middle of the city is a place of pilgrimage for the friends of music from all over the world. It is the only residence of the Beethoven family in Bonn, which is still maintained and in almost its original condition.

Beethoven-Haus Bonn (Beethoven House Bonn)
Bonngasse 20
53111 Bonn
Telephone: +49 (0)2 28 / 981 75-25
www.beethoven-haus-bonn.de

Opening hours:
Nov. 1 – March 31: Mo. – Sa. 10:00 AM – 17:00 PM
Su. and holidays 11:00 AM – 1700 PM
April 1 – Oct. 31: Mo. – Sa. 10:00 AM – 18:00 PM
Su. and holidays 11:00 AM – 18:00 PM

The house, in which Beethoven was born in 1770, is a place of pilgrimage for visitors from all over the world. Beethoven’s grandfather came from Mechelen in Brabant. In 1773, he took up a position as a bass player for the elector, and in 1761 he was appointed musical director of a court orchestra. His father Johann was a tenor at the court. At the age of 13, the young Beethoven already became second court organist. In 1792, he left Bonn and went to Vienna. He did not know at that time that he would never return to Bonn. Almost 100 years after Beethoven’s final farewell
from Bonn, twelve citizens from Bonn joined up in 1889, in order to acquire Beethoven’s house of birth, which was mostly maintained in its essential parts, but quite dilapidated. They founded a so-called society for the maintenance of Beethoven’s remembrance.

Up until today, this society (Johannes Brahms and Guiseppe Verdi were honorary members of it !) has been holder of the Beethoven-Haus and master of the biggest Beethoven collection of the world. With its selection of more than 150 exhibits the museum presents life and work of the big composer. Next to his instruments and musical works, there are a lot of exhibits displaying the everyday life of the composer: from a shopping invoice up to his ear-trumpets, with the help of which he desperately tried to at least maintain a part of his acoustic faculty of perception.

Part of the very special treasuries are the organ console of the old “Minoritenkirche”, at which Beethoven played as a boy, as well as Beethoven’s last grand piano, which was put at his disposal by Conrad Graf, a piano constructor from Vienna. Moreover, you can find most of the authentic Beethoven portraits here. Connected to the Beethoven-Haus is the Beethoven archive with the “Kammermusiksaal” (chamber music hall), which is perfectly equipped and has excellent acoustics. It is said to be one of the most beautiful concert halls at all. The “Digital Beethoven Salon”, which is just under construction, forms an enlargement of the Beethoven-Haus and will offer a totally new access to Beethoven when it will be completed in spring of 2004: a virtual three-dimensional workroom of Beethoven enables you to get an interactive access to the work of the big composer.

At the computer terminal you can browse in original manuscripts, letters and first editions of Beethoven or listen to his music. This way, the historical atmosphere of his house of birth is connected in a fascinating way with trend-setting information possibilities, what makes your visit to this museum become very special.

Digital Beethoven House
With the studio for digital collections and the stage for musical visualisation in the Digital Bethoven House two further visitor sectors were opened in 2004. Here you can undertake an inactive trip through Beethoven's life and work and experience a fascinationg 3-D production of his only opera "Fidelio".

Tip: Free admission with the Bonn Regio WelcomeCard!

Children are welcome!
Regularly each 3rd Sunday in the month children starting from 8 years explore the museum on Beethovens traces. For groups of kindergarten, preparatory school and basic school children are offered agefair tour by the museum. In the vacations Workshops of several days, with which children approximately get an active and creative entrance to topics around Beethoven, is offered. In the offer for children museum afternoons are new. For a merry and exciting child birthday the Beethoven house offers a special framework. Teachers can visit the Beethoven house with their grade!
The planning of the museum attendance supports:

Visitor service of the museum in the Beethoven house
Telephone:+49 (0)2 28 / 98 175-25
Telefax: +49 (0)2 28 / 98 175-26

Source: Tourismus&Congress GmbH Region Bonn/Rhein-Sieg/Ahrweiler