Haus der Musik (House of Music), Vienna

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Haus der Musik (House of Music), Vienna

Haus der Musik (House of Music), Vienna

In Vienna’s House of Music—history hums, composers gossip from the walls, and even the staircase plays along...

Housed in the former Archduke Karl Palace, this sonic playground opened its doors in the year 2000, sprawling over 5,000 square meters of auditory intrigue. It’s part museum, part time machine, and part science lab—perfectly pitched between highbrow and hands-on. Here, you can expect everything from Viennese classicism to the wild evolution of sound, all woven together with the story of the mighty Vienna Philharmonic.

The building itself has had quite a life. Born in the 16th century as an imperial cannon foundry (really!), it later became home to Archduke Karl of Austria-Teschen, famous not only for his military victories but for being the first Habsburg to bring a Christmas tree indoors. A few centuries later, the place morphed into a student residence, then a cultural hotspot, and finally, the palace of music we know today.

Your journey begins through a stately courtyard, where a grand piano welcomes you with all the grace of a tuxedoed maître d’hôtel. Inside, prepare to tickle the ivories yourself—literally—on the "Stairplay" piano staircase, where each step strikes a note.

On the first floor, you’ll meet the Vienna Philharmonic—not in person, but close. Dive into its glittering history with rare memorabilia, cheeky concert posters, and even an hourly cinema. Don’t miss the Mozart & Haydn dice game—it’s musical composition by chance, and surprisingly addictive.

Head up to Sonotopia on the second floor, a wonderland of sound science. From the Origin Room to the Wave Tube, it’s a sensory playground that explains why your ears are amazing and how sound gets from a vibrating string to your brain.

The third floor is a love letter to Vienna’s musical Classicism—Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and the gang. Peek into their lives via personal relics, funky holograms, and charming recreations of their 18th-century hangouts.

And for the finale, the fourth floor hands you the baton—literally—with the Virtual Conductor, where you can lead the Vienna Philharmonic yourself (they won’t judge your tempo, promise). Wind down in the Room of Silence, or hit the gift shop for souvenirs that sound as good as they look.

In short: music lives here—and it’s got stories to sing...

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Haus der Musik (House of Music) on Map

Sight Name: Haus der Musik (House of Music)
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Vienna, Austria

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Vienna's Art Nouveau Architecture Tour I

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The city met the composer with a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere brought about by some of the top musicians and artists...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
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Famous Homes of Vienna

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The often modest apartments of Vienna's famous...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

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