Skip to main content



Seeing is Listening - the Most Beautiful Museums of Music in Bavaria

Painting and music were so closely interwoven for Wassiliy Kandinsky that he could even see sounds and hear colours and can therefore be described as a synaesthete. He extensively explored the depiction of sounds in large-scale compositions and was a pioneer in the move away from representational painting towards abstract painting in the early 20th century. In the course of his relentless quest to unite sound, colour and emotion, he created polyphonic worlds of colour and form that still captivate today's viewers. A large selection of his works from this period are on display at the Städtische Galerie (Municipal gallery) in the Lenbachhaus and Kunstbau in Munich, among others.

An image must resonate and be imbued with an inner glow.

Wassily Kandinsky

The symbiosis of art and music goes even further and takes place on many different levels. Today we therefore present a selection of museums in Bavaria that are characterised by their musical connection.

Markgräfliches Opernhaus Bayreuth (Upper Franconia)

Magnificently decorated interior of the opera house.
© Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung - Achim Bunz
Façade of the Markgräfliches Opernhaus (Margravial Opera House)
© Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung - Feuerpfeil Verlag
Magnificently decorated interior of the opera house.
© Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung - Achim Bunz
Detailed view of a sculpture in a golden robe
© Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung - Achim Bunz

The imposing building of the Markgräfliches Opernhaus (Margravial Opera House) is bursting with splendour and an overwhelming wealth of detail. The festive and musical culture of the 18th century is brought to life here in its most beautiful form, so it is hardly surprising that this unique monument was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.
The Margravine Wilhelmine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, who had an affinity for music and theatre, was in charge of the realisation of this exceptional project and the occasion was a matter close to her heart: the wedding of her daughter Elisabeth Friederike Sophie. Who could imagine a more prestigious backdrop for such a fairytale wedding?
One special feature is the fact that the elaborately decorated interior is modelled on the Italian loggia theatre. All the individual parts made of wood and canvas come together to form a self-supporting construction and have been set into the stone shell of the building, so to speak.
Since its extensive restoration in 2018, the Markgräfliches Opernhaus (Margravial Opera House) in Bayreuth has shone in new splendour and it would be hard to find better illustrative material for the symbiosis of art and music... or would it?

Geigenbaumuseum (Violin making museum) Mittenwald (Upper Bavaria)

Historic violin
© Geigenbaumuseum Mittenwald
View of the violin making workshop
© Geigenbaumuseum Mittenwald
Artfully decorated violin head
© Geigenbaumuseum Mittenwald

A completely different combination of both disciplines is expressed in the arts and crafts. Violin making has always had a long tradition in Mittenwald. The violin can be found everywhere here, as this instrument is to a certain extent the town's landmark. With the opening of the first workshop in the 17th century, the town quickly developed into a world-famous centre of violin making. The Geigenbaumuseum (Violin Making Museum) tells the story of this 300-year success story. It not only combines the history of the craft and the town, but also provides a sensory insight into string instrument making with the help of a complete workshop, historical films, audio and even olfactory samples.
Behind the scenes: In the show workshop, you have the unique opportunity to watch a violin maker at work and ask questions about the technique of violin making.

Orgelbaumuseum Schloss Hanstein e. V. (Organ Building Museum Hanstein Castle e. V.) (Lower Franconia)

Historic organ
© Orgelbaumuseum Schloss Hanstein e.V.
Organ with gold decorations
© Orgelbaumuseum Schloss Hanstein e.V.
Historic piano.
© Orgelbaumuseum Schloss Hanstein e.V.
Black organ, next to it an altar with a crucifix.
© Orgelbaumuseum Schloss Hanstein e.V.

If the organ is the "queen of instruments", then organ building is logically the supreme discipline of (artistic) craftsmanship. The organ combines music and art with technical craftsmanship in a unique way. Since ancient times, progress in organ building has repeatedly opened up new worlds of sound that have had a profound impact on musical, intellectual and cultural history.
At the Hanstein Castle Organ Museum, the listening experience is not neglected either: either the organs are played as part of "sounding museum tours" or you can get involved yourself - not with the historical pieces themselves, of course, but at specially set up listening and hands-on stations.
The special orientation as a family museum ensures that this "big" topic is also exciting for the little ones.

Leopold-Mozart-Haus (Swabia)

Dark room with light installation
© Ruth Plössel
Two violins in the exhibition room
© Simon Pickel
Carriage in the showroom
© Christian Menkel
A golden "Mozart" bathing duck
© Simon Pickel

Now let's move on to the music itself. Everyone really knows him when it comes to musical greats: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His childhood home certainly played a decisive role in this. You can experience this at first hand in the Leopold-Mozart-Haus (Leopold Mozart House), which was dedicated to his father. He was born in 1719 in the former simple town house north of Augsburg Cathedral.
Of course, without him, the "Mozart miracle" would never have happened. But Leopold Mozart was much more than just "the father". He was deputy conductor, composer, music teacher, author, publisher, loving husband and, last but not least, teacher, manager and Europe-wide tour guide for his children, Wolfgang and "Nannerl". In his birthplace, visitors get to know this fascinating personality in a diverse and exciting way: A museum for listening, feeling and participating together.

Richard Wagner Museum with National Archive of the Richard Wagner Foundation Bayreuth (Upper Franconia)

View of the imposing sandstone façade
Nationalarchiv der Richard-Wagner-Stiftung, Bayreuth © Nationalarchiv der Richard-Wagner-Stiftung, Bayreuth - Thomas Köhler
View of the modern glass façade of the National Archive of the Richard Wagner Foundation.
© Nationalarchiv der Richard-Wagner-Stiftung, Bayreuth - Thomas Köhler
View of the magnificent interior with elegant red walls and opulent design.
© Nationalarchiv der Richard-Wagner-Stiftung, Bayreuth - Thomas Köhler
A dark exhibition room in which modern, brightly lit display cabinets stylishly emphasise the exhibits.
© Nationalarchiv der Richard-Wagner-Stiftung, Bayreuth - Thomas Köhler

We now turn our attention to another "opera giant" in the history of music: Richard Wagner.
In 1874, Wagner had the Wahnfried House built according to his own ideas, which he lived in until his death. Here you have the special opportunity to experience the life and work of the composer directly at the historical site.
The ground floor, including the reconstructed dining room and Cosima's "Lila Salon", provides an insight into the period around 1880 and Wagner's world.
The Siegfried Wagner House, where Winifred Wagner lived, has been preserved in its original 1930s interior. The dark side of the Wagner family is highlighted here: the close connection between Bayreuth and the Nazi dictatorship as well as the personal relationships of Wagner's descendants with the National Socialists and Adolf Hitler.
The new museum building, designed by Volker Staab, is dedicated to the performance history of the Bayreuth Festival up to the present day, with historical stage design models, original costumes and stage equipment from the Festspielhaus.
Richard and Cosima Wagner's grave is located in the garden of the house. The National Archive of the Richard Wagner Foundation Bayreuth, which is attached to the museum, preserves written and pictorial documents, printed works and artefacts relating to Richard Wagner and makes them accessible to the public online (external link, opens in a new window).

Museum Kammersänger Bernd Weikl (Museum chamber singer Bernd Weikl) (Lower Bavaria)

Two laughing gentlemen in front of a portrait.
Bernd Weikl (right) © Marco Felgenhauer / Woidlife Photography

Speaking of Richard Wagner. The following opera and concert singer achieved international fame with the role of Hans Sachs in Richard Wagner's opera "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg": Kammersänger Bernd Weikl.
The Museum Kammersänger Bernd Weikl (Museum chamber singer Bernd Weikl) in Bodenmais was dedicated to him. Audio-visual examples introduce you to the most original form of music: the human voice, which finds its expression in singing.
Weikl can look back on a long international career, not only on the opera and concert stage, but also as a director, author and lecturer. With numerous exhibits, from posters and awards to books, videos and sound recordings, the permanent exhibition documents the artist's diverse oeuvre.