Lower Austria: Haydn’s Birthplace in Rohrau

The modest thatched farmhouse was built prior to 1728. It was here that Joseph Haydn first saw the light of day on 31 March 1732, five years after his brother Michael. Their father was from Hainburg and worked as a master wheelwright and “Marktrichter” (somewhat akin to a village mayor) in Rohrau. Their mother worked in the kitchen at the estate of the Counts Harrach.

Although Joseph Haydn left his parents’ home at the tender age of six, he always held it dear to his heart. On returning to rural Rohrau after his triumphant trip to England in 1795, he is said to have been so moved by grateful memories that he knelt down and kissed the threshold of the house.

Today this birthplace is one of Austria’s most significant memorials to a composer. The bust of Haydn in front of the parish church in Rohrau is the world’s oldest monument to the composer and dates to 1794.

Address:
Haydn-Geburtshaus Rohrau
Hauptstrasse 68
Phone: 02164/2268

Operating times:
January 2 to December 30, daily except Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.