Bach House
ThĂĽringen
The Bach House in Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany, is a museum devoted to the life and work of the composer Johann Sebastian Bach, who was born in the city in 1685. The museum occupies a complex centered around a 550-year-old half-timbered building mistakenly identified in the mid-19th century as Bach's birth house. Opened in 1907 by the Neue Bachgesellschaft, it was the first museum dedicated to Bach. The museum spans 600 square meters and displays around 250 original exhibits, including a Bach music autograph. The Bach family was a prominent musical dynasty active in Thuringia from the 16th to the 18th century, with members serving in various musical roles, notably Johann Christoph Bach as organist at St. George's Church in Eisenach. Johann Sebastian Bach spent his first ten years in Eisenach, where his father and family immersed him in music. The museum preserves historical architectural features such as a Renaissance glass window frame and timber paneling from the original building, now housing rooms like the Composing Studio. The ground floor, once used for agricultural purposes, reflects the building's origins as a burgher’s house. The museum also includes a garden where a cowbell from 1688 was found, linking to the building's past. Though the exact location of Bach's birth house is uncertain due to historical property ownership practices, the museum stands near the area where the Bach family lived. The Bach House offers visitors a unique glimpse into the life, environment, and musical heritage of one of history’s greatest composers.
Plan your trip to Germany with AI
Create a detailed itinerary in minutes. AI suggests the best places, restaurants, and an optimized route.
Tip: Visitors are advised to check the museum's official website for current opening hours and special exhibitions. The best time to visit is during spring and summer when the garden is in bloom and outdoor spaces can be enjoyed. Advance ticket purchase is recommended during peak tourist seasons to avoid queues. Discounts are often available for students, seniors, and groups. Guided tours provide deeper insight into Bach's life and the museum's exhibits, enhancing the visitor experience.
Interesting facts
- •The Bach House museum holds around 250 original exhibits, including a rare Bach music autograph.
- •The core building is a 550-year-old half-timbered house, one of the oldest residential buildings in Eisenach.
- •A cowbell from 1688 discovered in the museum garden reflects the building's agricultural past.
- •The building was mistakenly identified in the 19th century as Bach's birth house, though the exact location of his birth is uncertain.
- •Johann Sebastian Bach's father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was the city music director in Eisenach and lived near the museum's location.
History
The Bach House dates back to the mid-15th century, with its eastern part built in 1456 and the western in 1458, later joined around 1611.
Originally serving as a burgher's house with agricultural uses on the ground floor, it was owned in Bach's time by the headmaster of the Latin School, Heinrich Börstelmann, who rented it out.
The Bach family, a prolific musical dynasty, lived nearby, with Johann Ambrosius Bach acquiring property in the vicinity in 1674.
Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach in 1685 and spent his early years immersed in the city's musical culture.
The house was acquired by the Neue Bachgesellschaft in 1905 and opened as a museum in 1907, becoming the first institution dedicated to celebrating Bach's legacy.
Place Guide
Instrument Hall15th century
Once used as a barn, this hall now displays historical musical instruments, linking the building’s agricultural past with its musical heritage.
Composing Studio15th-17th century
A room on the first floor featuring Renaissance glass window frames and timber paneling, recreated to reflect a composer's workspace from Bach’s era.
Museum Garden17th century (artifact)
The garden adjacent to the museum contains historical artifacts such as a cowbell from 1688, representing the site's rural past.
Contact
Phone: 03691 79340
