A journey through time in Vienna
The places where Freud and Mozart lived and worked
When visiting Vienna, you can visit many sites that are connected with well-known historical figures, such as psychologist Sigmund Freud or world-famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. While staying in Vienna, it is a great opportunity to discover the buildings in which these celebrities actually lived and worked – maybe not too far away from your own temporary home?
Sigmund Freud’s home and workplace in Vienna
Sigmund Freud still is one of the most important psychologists and neurologists in history, as he is the founder of the psychoanalysis method (a way of treating psychopathology through dialogue between the patient and a psychoanalyst).
The Berggasse 9 the 9th district of Vienna
Many Viennese were among Freud’s regular patients who were treated in the Berggasse 19 in the 9th district. The Berggasse 9 now is one of the most famous addresses in Vienna, as Freud called this place his home for nearly 50 years. There, he worked and treated his patients in his practice rooms, wrote books, and worked on his research. Besides the work area and waiting rooms, his personal rooms were also situated in this house, where he lived with his family from 1891 until 1938.
The Sigmund Freud Museum
By means of his youngest daughter Anna Freud, in 1971 these rooms were tranformed into the Sigmund Freud Museum by the Sigmund-Freud-Gesellschaft. Walking though this museum is like a journey through time, as visitors can marvel at original furniture from the time that Sigmund Freud occupied these rooms. You will also find Freud’s private collections of antiques, especially the little sculptures he favoured. Visitors can also have a look at who Sigmund Freud was as a person. Personal belongings and insights into his family life enable a deep connection, not only to Freud, but to old Vienna’s history in general. Anna Freud even made it possible for us to witness historical film recordings on which she personally commented and edited.
Since 2006, nearly the whole building serves the aim to represent Freud’s life in Vienna. The museum also offers a library, book storage, a museum-shop, a lecture hall and an exhibition hall. In addition, a variety of different exhibitions and special guided tours are offered regularly.
The Sigmund Freud Tour Vienna
One of these tours is the Sigmund Freud Tour Vienna, where you discover up to 20 locations that are connected with Freud, ending at the Sigmund Freud Museum. Within 2 hours, you will visit many interesting places in Vienna. During your walk, a guide will point out private insights of Freud and his clients, and you can choose between 4 languages: German, English, Italian or Russian.
The exhibition PARALLEL ACTIONS
From the 23rd of March until the 31st of December 2018, you can attend the special exhibition PARALLEL ACTIONS. Freud and the writers of young Vienna in the Sigmund Freud Museum. This exhibition is all about the connection between Freud and significant writers of his time, as well as the role of the psychoanalysis in the literary works of these people. To learn more about authors living in Vienna (such as Arthur Schnitzler) you can read the blog post entitled Vienna’s best traditional coffeehouses.
Mozart’s most famous apartment in Vienna
Everyone knows the name Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as he is one of the most famous composers in the world. Born in Salzburg, Austria, he was soon rated as a prodigy, as his compositions were extraordinary and his handling of the piano and the violin flawless. His exceptional nature did not go unnoticed when he was an adult living in Vienna as a freelance artist. He celebrated his biggest successes during the time he lived in Vienna, and we are proud to celebrate his life.
The Domgasse 5 in the 1st district of Vienna
Although Mozart inhabitated a dozen flats in the 10 years he lived in the capital city, there is only one remaining, which also happens to be the most significant. Mozart lived in the Domgasse 5 (1st district) from 1784 until 1787 in a building dating from the 17th century. Situated near the Stephansdom, this 180m² apartment was the most noble, large and expensive one in which Mozart ever lived. It was also an extremely important place during his career, as he wrote the famous Die Hochzeit des Figaro/ The marriage of Figaro, Der Schauspieldirektor and several piano concerts during his time in this apartment.
Although Mozart liked to spend money extravagantly (which was why he often suffered from money problems), he had a very good reputation, and was a celebrated artist during these years. Because of this, he was able to afford such a luxurious flat, where he not only worked, but played billiards and held exuberant celebrations. His life was full of extraordinary successes, but also full of losses. These were surely part of the reason that he died at the early age of 35. Still, many people feel attracted to the genius himself, the story of his life, and his music.
The Mozarthaus Vienna
To satisfy people’s desire to learn more about this great artist, Mozart’s original apartment was opened to the public about 60 years ago. In 2006, the Domgasse 5 was renovated into the Mozarthaus Vienna. Now the whole building serves the aim to provide an intimate insight into Mozart’s life and work.
A tour through the Mozarthaus provides different themes: on the second floor, you learn about Mozart as a musician, and you also get to know other musicians who worked with him in Vienna (for example, the librettist Lorenzo da Ponte in the opera The marriage of Figaro).
The highlight surely are the rooms the first floor, as these are the ones in which Mozart and his family lived. Beside documents, presentations, pictures and videos, historical mural paintings await you. It is fascinating how these rooms take you back to life in the 18th century.
As you can see, there is a lot to discover about Viennese genuises, allowing you a deep historical insight into how living in Vienna felt in the past. Enjoy the adventure of exploring this magnificent city and its extraordinary people, those who changed our world for the better.