Weimar and the Home of Liszt

Liszt’s home was just closing as we arrived, but you can see inside and get the full tour on this excellent Weimar website.

Here is a little history about his home, which is right next to a beautiful park.

The Liszt House was built at the end of the 18^th century as the court gardener’s residence and was redesigned in 1819 by Clemens Wenzeslaus Coudray. The upper floor had been used as an art studio before Liszt took up residence there in 1869. This would be Liszt’s second stay in Weimar; he had lived in the Villa Altenburg on Jenaer Strasse during his stint as Weimar’s Hofkapellmeister between 1848 and 1861. At the invitation of Grand Duke Carl Alexander, Liszt returned to Weimar in 1869. Grand Duchess Sophie had elegantly decorated his quarters on the first floor of the gardener’s house. In the following years, Liszt spent his summers at the residence and regularly invited guests to his performances. In 1887 Carl Alexander opened the composer’s former living quarters to the public as a memorial site.

The living room and study which comprise the central salon, as well as Liszt’s bedroom have been preserved in their original condition. The dining room bears a resemblance to its earlier furnishings, and the servant’s room is a museum presentation.