Bach Museum, Leipzig

Housed in the historic Bose House, the Bach Archive and Museum in Leipzig features a permanent interactive multimedia exhibition dedicated to the life and work of Johann Sebastian Bach. The renowned 18th-century German composer, who made a name for himself internationally as the cantor of the nearby Saint Thomas's Church, used to live just across the street – in the old Saint Thomas’s School (now demolished).

The museum location is the former residence of the Bose family, affluent merchants and close friends of the Bachs. This is one of the oldest buildings in the area, dating back to 1711.

A true testament to modern museum culture, the venue contains numerous exhibits, spread across 12 rooms (750 square meters), allowing visitors to engage themselves in a variety of exciting things such as, for instance, a chance to compare modern-day Leipzig with its erstwhile version, to date Bach's works in a research lab, to explore the sound of Baroque-era instruments including an organ console at which Bach himself played in 1743, and even to arrange a Bach chorale to your own taste.

One of its highlights is the treasure room, featuring original Bach manuscripts and other precious items, such as a casket containing relics from Bach’s tomb, a recently discovered iron cash box that was once owned by the Bach family, and more.

The tunes floating from the organ pipes immerse visitors into the fascinating world of Bach's music and ensure by no means a passive experience. For additional enjoyment, there's a small pleasure garden, an audio studio and Café Gloria offering ample opportunity to sit back and relax after a busy time exploring the museum.