Vienna: Haydn for Experts

Esterházy Palace
As Vice Kapellmeister of Paul Anton Count Esterházy (from 1st May 1761) Haydn performed, among others, the symphonies Nr. 6, 7 and 8 at this palace. Distinguished guests used to frequent the place, and in September 1800, for instance, the English Admiral Horatio Nelson visited Esterházy Palace together with his mistress Emma and her husband Sir William Hamilton – a love triangle that gave rise to gossip and stories.

Academy of Sciences
On 27th March 1808, Joseph Haydn celebrated his 76th birthday in the academy’s aula. All the big names were there to pay tribute to the great master, including Haydn’s former pupil Beethoven. Decked out with decorations and medals and accompanied by the cheers of the audience, the old man was carried in on a chair to listen to a performance of his oratorio The Creation. This was the composer’s last public appearance.

Church of the Brothers of Mercy
There is a memorial plaque to Haydn who worked as church organist here from 1755 to 1758. His annual pay was 60 gulden – a substantial income in those lean years.

Gumpendorf Church
A plaque with a bronze relief designed by the sculptor Robert Ullmann reminds of the benediction of Joseph Haydn’s corpse on 1st June 1809.

Maria-Theresien Memorial
The monument of Empress Maria Theresia, designed by Kaspar Zumbusch in 1888, is on a square flanked by the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Naturhistorisches Museum. The monument shows the Empress surrounded by major personages of her day: counselors, field marshals, her physician van Swieten, generals and illustrious figures from the fields of politics, economics and the arts, including Haydn, Gluck and the child prodigy, Mozart, with the Gloriette in the background.
1010 Wien, Burgring, Maria-Theresien-Platz

Haydn Park
Haydn’s original tombstone has been preserved. The Latin inscription reads “Haydn, born 1732, died 1809. Puzzle Canon for five voices. I will not die entirely. Dedicated by his pupil Neukomm who returned to Vienna in 1814.”
A memorial plaque tells that Haydn’s remains were transported to Bergkirche in Eisenstadt on 6th November 1820. Haydn’s skull was stolen a few days after his death and was finally interred in 1954 – also at Bergkirche. Haydn fans will prefer other Haydn venues over the burial place since it is located in busy area with heavy traffic.
1012 Wien, Gaudenzdorfer Gürtel (former Hundsturmer cemetery 1783–1874)

Houses where Haydn used to live in the 1st district

Neuer Markt 2
Haydn used to live in this house from 1792 to 1797. Here he created the anthem "Gott erhalte". There is a commemorative plaque on the house that reminds passers-by that Haydn’s probably most famous work was composed here.

Seilerstätte 21
This is where Haydn moved after his employment with the Esterházy family in Eisenstadt and Hungary. After Count Nikolaus’ death the Esterházy Orchestra was broken up. Although Haydn remained an employee of the Counts of Esterházy until the end of his life he was free to move. On 14th December 1790, Haydn met his younger colleague Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at this house.

Johannesgasse 18
When Haydn returned from England (1792) he moved into this house in Johannesgasse where he also met with 22-year old Ludwig van Beethoven, the most famous of his pupils.