Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the world’s most famous composers and it’s hard not to feel his presence while visiting Vienna. Beethoven was born in the year 1770 in a town called Bonn in Germany. Beethoven actually moved to Vienna twice, once in 1787 at the age of 17, but had to quickly move back to Bonn to take care of his ailing mother. He then permanently moved back to Vienna in 1792, where he lived for the next 35 years. Beethoven moved quite a few times while living in Vienna and one of his residences was the beautiful Pasqualati House. Today, members of the public can visit the building where the composer wrote some of his most famous works.
Pasqualati House dates back to the year 1791 (in its current form) and actually belonged to Beethoven’s patron, Johann Baptist Freiherr von Pasqualati. Beethoven himself lived in the building for a total of 8 years (but on multiple occasions) between the years of 1804 and 1815. It was at this house that Beethoven composed some of his most famous musical works, including Fidelio and Für Elis. It is also believed that he worked on the 5th and 6th symphonies in Pasqualati House as well.
I was excited to come across the building as it’s a great little hidden gem! While visiting Pasqualati House, you can tour a small Beethoven Museum located in one of the apartments similar to the one Beethoven lived in himself. There are a few possessions of Beethoven’s on display as well as stations where you can listen to music. There are also copies of sheet music with his notes that are interesting to see!
It is however important to note that Beethoven did not actually live in the apartment you explore, but rather another apartment in the building that is still occupied. But with an entrance price of only Є5.00, I still think it’s an interesting stop for Beethoven fans if in the area. The real highlight was experiencing the atmosphere and surroundings that inspired some of Beethoven’s greatest work.
Tips for Visiting Beethoven Pasqualati House
What is the best way to get to Beethoven Pasqualati House?
Beethoven’s apartment building is located in central Vienna which makes it easily accessible from many areas of the city. It is less than a 15-minute walk from Stephansplatz or you can take the tram to Rathausplatz/Burgtheater from which it is only a 4-minute walk.
How much does a ticket cost?
A ticket only costs Є5.00, which even though it is a small museum, I think still makes it worth a visit!
Is it worth visiting Beethoven Pasqualati House?
Similar to my answer above, I think if you are a Beethoven fan and in the area, then I don’t think you can go wrong with a Є5.00 priced ticket. I found it interesting but I would be prepared that the price reflects what you’re able to see inside. If you are looking for a more in-depth Beethoven experience, you’ll want to check out other Beethoven attractions in the city as well, including the the Beethoven Museum.
How long is needed to visit?
There are a few rooms to explore in the apartment, so it doesn’t take very long. You can quickly look around in about 20 minutes.
What other historical things are there to do nearby?
There are many other interesting historical sites to explore in Vienna. Just down the street, outside another building was a filming location for the 1949 British noir film, The Third Man. The Beethoven Pasqualati House is also located across from the University of Vienna, which is a historical university that dates back to the year 1365. For more information on historical things to do in Vienna you can read 10 Historical Things to do in Vienna, Austria.
This article’s information was last updated in August 2022.