The birthplace of two of Austria´s most outstanding composers, Joseph and Michael Haydn, is situated in Rohrau, Lower Austria, in the south east of Vienna. Their father Mathias Haydn, a coach builder, had this reed thatched house built in 1728. Joseph Haydn was born there on March 31st, 1732 and spent his early years there up to the age of six. His equally talented younger brother Michael followed on September 13th, 1737.
Even though both boys left their home at an early age for further musical education they stayed strongly connected to the village of their birth throughout their lives.
After having been acquired by the province of Lower Austria in 1959 the former residence of the Haydn family was consequently adapted as a museum. Since then it has housed many different kinds of cultural activities and an exhibition.
Between October 2016 and September 2017 this memorial site which is classified as a historical monument has been carefully renovated and extended. Its reopening as a new centre of various cultural events and many sorts of functions took place on September 14th, 2017, just in time to commemorate the 280th birthday of Michael Haydn.
Further information and calendar of events: www.haydngeburtshaus.at / www.haydnregion-noe.at
