The director of museums in the Austrian capital Vienna announced on Wednesday an upcoming temporary closure of the apartment where the Austrian composer Franz Schubert died, the apartment where the musician Johann Strauss lived, and the home of the composer Joseph Haydn, in order to reduce expenses, by decision of the city of Vienna.
The official responsible for the public institution of Vienna Museums, which manages several historical sites in the Austrian capital, stated, “We all have to save money… that is the reality.”
This closure is currently expected to last two years, according to the financial director, after the budget granted by the municipality was reduced from 29.7 million euros in 2025 to 28.4 million in 2026, and is set to decrease further in 2027.
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The apartment where Schubert died has been closed since January 1st, while the closure decision for Haydn’s home and Strauss’s apartment takes effect from March 2nd.
Shortening museum operating hours
The house where Schubert was born will also close on March 2nd, but for the purpose of renovation, and is scheduled to reopen in 2028, on the bicentennial of his death.
It is also planned to shorten the operating hours of several museums in the Austrian capital, where the Social Democratic mayor leads a coalition with the liberal “Neos” party.
Vienna
Vienna is the capital of Austria, historically the heart of the Habsburg Monarchy and a major European center for music, art, and intellectual life. Its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its Baroque architecture, imperial palaces like Schönbrunn, and its association with composers such as Mozart and Beethoven.
Austria
Austria is a Central European country with a rich history as the heart of the Habsburg Empire, which for centuries was a major European power. Its cultural landscape is deeply shaped by this imperial past, evident in landmarks like Vienna’s Hofburg Palace and its legacy in classical music, having been home to composers like Mozart and Beethoven. Today, it is known for its Alpine scenery, historic cities, and vibrant cultural traditions.
apartment where Franz Schubert died
The apartment where Franz Schubert died is located at Kettenbrückengasse 6 in Vienna, where the composer spent his final weeks in 1828. He died there at the age of 31, and the building now houses a small museum dedicated to his life and work.
apartment where Johann Strauss lived
The apartment where Johann Strauss lived is located at Praterstraße 54 in Vienna, Austria, and is now a museum dedicated to the composer. He lived there from 1863 until his death in 1899, during which time he wrote his famous waltz “The Blue Danube.” The site preserves his living quarters and personal artifacts, offering insight into his life and work.
home of Joseph Haydn
The home of Joseph Haydn refers to the composer’s residence in Eisenstadt, Austria, where he served as court musician for the Esterházy family. This house, now a museum, was his primary home for much of his career and is where he composed many of his famous works.
Vienna Museums
The Vienna Museums encompass a network of over a dozen institutions, including the flagship Kunsthistorisches Museum, which houses imperial art collections amassed by the Habsburg dynasty over centuries. This association, managed by the City of Vienna, preserves and presents vast collections of fine art, history, and cultural heritage from the city’s long history as a European capital.
Vienna Opera
The Vienna State Opera, originally called the Vienna Court Opera, opened in 1869 and is one of the world’s leading opera houses. It was heavily damaged during World War II but meticulously rebuilt, reopening in 1955 to continue its legacy as a central institution in European musical culture.
house where Schubert was born
The house where Franz Schubert was born, located in Vienna’s Himmelpfortgrund district, is a museum dedicated to the composer’s life and work. It was built in the early 19th century and preserves the modest apartment where Schubert entered the world in 1797, offering insight into his early family environment.
Neos party
The Neos party is a liberal and pro-European political party in Austria, founded in 2012. It positions itself as a centrist force focused on digitalization, educational reform, and economic modernization.
