Vienna city breaks are not only fun and relaxing, but are also ideal for Beethoven enthusiasts.
Born in Bonn, Ludwig van Beethoven came to Vienna at the tender age of 22 and resided there until his death. According to history, he lived in over 60 different places while in this fine Austrian city, and here is a selection which are strongly associated with this iconic musician and recommended for a visit.
Theater an der Wien
Being the former place of residence by Beethoven (1803 to 1804) and where some of his remarkable and historical compositions premiered, Theater an der Wien also happens to be the site of his memorial room. In addition to Beethoven’s masterpieces, it also hosted some of the unforgettable performances of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss II.
At present, aside from hosting musicals, concerts, and dances, Theater an der Wien also stages world-class operas on a regular basis.
Zum Schwarzen Kameel
Nowadays, Zum Schwarzen Kameel is a combination of a scholarly bar and a sandwich/deli restaurant that is frequented by tourists and locals who want to sit back, relax, and enjoy good quality food and wine. This place is iconic, since it was regularly visited by Beethoven for nearly ten years when he lived in in the Pasqualati-Haus.
Beethoven’s grave at Zentralfriedhof
Zentralfriedhof is a vast area, but finding Beethoven’s grave, together with other world-renowned composers, is relatively easy. His gravestone was specifically built following the original design in the Währinger Ortsfriedhof.
Beethovenplatz
This is a monumental statue of the iconic composer and it is located a couple of steps from the concert halls of Konzerthaus and Musikverein. An earlier statue of Beethoven can be found in the lobby of the former. Getting there is easy and you can also visit other tourist attractions in the vicinity.
Heiligenstadt Testament Museum
A small apartment with a captivating courtyard, this is Beethoven’s residence where he lived whilst coming to terms with the fact that his deafness was permanent. Many historians consider this place as significant because this is where Beethoven wrote his famous Heiligenstadt Testament.
Heiligenstadt Park
Located in Vienna’s 19th district, it is a favourite of many musical scholars. It’s main attraction? A statue of Beethoven, holding a hat while having a walk; and while there, you can also get a glimpse of other iconic Beethoven sites.
Lobkowitz Palace
Lobkowitz Palace is another attraction that you shouldn’t miss. It is a residential place that was once owned by a prince who happened to be an amateur musician and greatly admired Beethoven. The prince (Lobkowitz) had an orchestra at the palace who played Beethoven compositions, and the prince also became a patron in 1809.
