Salzburg is a city full of historical attractions, but one of the most popular is the birthplace of the city’s most famous citizen. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart was born in Salzburg in the year 1786 and today, the house he was born in operates as a museum. The museum attracts visitors from around the world, eager to learn more about his life and see the place where he grew up.
History of Mozart’s Birthplace
Mozart was born on 27 January, 1756 at No.9 Getreidegasse in Salzburg. For over 27 years (from the years 1747 to 1773) Mozart’s family lived in the building in an apartment on the third floor. The apartment is where Mozart spent most of his childhood and where he lived until the age of 16, when his family then moved to the “Mozart Residence” on the other side of the Salzach river.
The building also has a history as a museum, as the first Mozart museum opened here in the year 1880. Over the years the museum has continually evolved and today provides a thorough insight into Mozart’s early life in Salzburg.
Visiting Mozart’s Birthplace Today
Mozart’s Birthplace is one of the most popular attractions in Salzburg and a definite must-see for music fans. The people of Salzburg take great pride in Mozart’s accomplishments and his influence can be seen across the city. At Mozart’s Birthplace, visitors can explore three floors of exhibitions covering his life and music.
At Mozart’s Birthplace, visitors have the opportunity to explore the rooms that Mozart grew up in as well as visit exhibitions that highlight his work. The apartment appears very much like it would have in the 18th century and is filled with various artifacts and paintings relating to the Mozart family. The portraits of Mozart on display at the museum were mostly painted while he was alive, so they give a pretty accurate representation of what he looked like. Visitors are also able to see some of his musical instruments, including his violin.
Mozart’s Birthplace Virtual Tour
Not able to visit Salzburg at the moment? No problem! The museum website has a great virtual tour that allows you to explore Mozart’s Birthplace from the comfort of your home.
Visit here to check out the virtual tour of Mozart’s Birthplace.
Key Information for Visiting Mozart’s Birthplace
1. Where is Mozart’s Birthplace located?
Mozart’s Birthplace is located in the heart of Salzburg’s old town. It’s easy to walk to from most areas of the city centre and is about a 20-minute walk from Salzburg’s main train station.
2. How much does a ticket to Mozart’s birthplace cost?
It costs about €12.00 for a standard ticket to the museum or around €3.50 for a child. You can also enter Mozart’s Birthplace for free on the Salzburg Card.
Visit here to learn more about admissions.
4. Did Mozart really live here?
Yes! Mozart was born in the building in 1756 and lived here until approximately the age of 16. His family lived in an apartment on the third floor for a total of 27 years.
5. How long do you need to visit Mozart’s birthplace?
I would set aside at least an hour for exploring Mozart’s Birthplace. It’s a very popular tourist attraction, which means it can get busy during key times or seasons. Make sure to leave yourself plenty of time in case there is a lineup.
6. What other historical sites are there to see nearby?
The central location of Mozart’s Birthplace means that there are a plenty of historical attractions to visit nearby. From the museum, you are only a 5-minute walk to Mozartplatz, a central square in Salzburg where you can see a statue dedicated to Mozart himself. You’re also less than a 10-minute walk to Mirabell Palace, where the Mozart family used to perform concerts for Salzburg royalty. If you feel like an uphill walk, you’re also about 12 minutes from Hohensalzburg Fortress… or you can just take the funicular up to the top!
For a further list, check out 10 Historical Things to do in Salzburg, Austria.
This article’s information was last updated in August 2022.