What to See at the Bach House Museum in Eisenach

At the Bach House Museum in Eisenach, you can see the historic living quarters of Bach’s era, an exhibition on his life and work, original documents including an autograph score, and interactive displays. Highlights include daily mini-concerts, “bubble chairs” for listening to his music, and a garden with a Bach memorial.

Here are the main things you can see and experience at the museum:

Hourly Live Concert: This is a central feature of the visit. Every hour, there is a 20-minute live demonstration of five original Baroque keyboard instruments, including two organs, a clavichord, a spinet, and a harpsichord.
“Walkable Composition”: A popular, immersive multimedia installation. You enter a darkened room and as you move, you trigger different musical lines from a Bach composition, allowing you to “walk through” the structure of his music.
The Historic Building: You can walk through the original, 550-year-old half-timbered house, which includes recreations of 18th-century living spaces like a bedroom, kitchen, and sitting room, giving you a feel for middle-class life in Bach’s time.

Main Exhibits

The museum is divided between the historic house and a modern, accessible building.

In the Historic House

Instrument Hall: This is where the hourly concerts take place, surrounded by the museum’s collection of historical instruments.
Historical Living Quarters: See how a family like Bach’s would have lived around 1700.
“Town Pipe Room”: An exhibit dedicated to Bach’s father, Ambrosius, who was the town piper, showcasing instruments of that profession.

In the Modern Building

“Bubble Chairs”: Listen to high-fidelity recordings of Bach’s music in futuristic, floating chairs that provide an immersive audio experience.
Original Artifacts: The museum displays over 250 original items, including:
- An original music autograph from J.S. Bach.
- The “Bach Goblet,” a mysterious glass cup that belonged to the composer.
- Relics from the excavation of Bach’s bones.
- The original front door from Bach’s apartment in Leipzig.
Bach’s Theological Library: A recreation of the 52 theological books from Bach’s personal estate.

Outside the Museum

Bach Monument: A large, historic statue of the composer stands directly in front of the museum.
Baroque Garden: A small, peaceful garden to walk through after your visit.
Café Kantate: An on-site café.

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