Mendelssohn Haus (Mendelssohn House), Leipzig

The Mendelssohn House in Leipzig is a museum dedicated to the life and work of composer Felix Mendelssohn, who lived there from 1845 until he died in 1847. Originally from Hamburg, Mendelssohn moved to Leipzig in 1835 when he became the director of the Gewandhaus Orchestra. His family joined him in 1845, settling in an apartment on the bel etage (second floor) of this building. This house witnessed both personal and professional milestones for Mendelssohn, including the birth of his daughter Elisabeth, and it was also the place where he passed away on November 4, 1847.

In 1991, the International Mendelssohn Foundation was established to preserve Mendelssohn's last home in Leipzig, and by 1997, the museum was opened to the public. The property has been meticulously restored to reflect its appearance during Mendelssohn's lifetime, complete with furnishings in the late Biedermeier style. Visitors can explore Mendelssohn’s former apartment, which showcases original furniture, personal documents, musical sheets with autographs, first prints of his works, and some of his watercolors. A highlight of the museum is the composer’s study, which preserves the ambiance in which he created pieces like the oratorio "Elias."

The museum also features a music salon used for matinee concerts every Sunday and a large chamber music hall located on the first floor of the former coach house. In 2014, the museum expanded to include an interactive installation on the ground floor, where visitors can virtually conduct an orchestra, arrange instruments, and switch between modern and historical versions during playback. Additionally, the garden house within the historical garden now hosts a "world for children," further enriching the museum's offerings.

Recognized for its cultural significance, the Mendelssohn House is listed in the Blaubuch (Blue Book) of the German Federal Government as an important cultural site, continuing to celebrate the legacy of Felix Mendelssohn in Leipzig.