Reuter-Wagner-Museum Eisenach: History, art & lifestyle of the 19th century

The Reuter-Wagner Museum in Eisenach unites the memory of two outstanding artists: Fritz Reuter, a master storyteller who introduced Low German into literature with humour and wisdom, and Wilhelm Richard Wagner, a pioneering composer whose music dramas shaped Romantic music.

As a place where two important artistic personalities of the era come together, the museum is a unique representation of this cultural heritage.

Why you should visit the museum once

A collection of some of the exhibits: the 'Wagnervitrine'. Part of the extensive library can be seen in the background.

What you can see in the museum

Visitors have the opportunity to explore the well-preserved living quarters of the poet and writer Fritz Reuter, which provide an insight into his life and work. The lovingly restored rooms convey a vivid picture of the everyday life and surroundings of the artist and his wife Luise, who lived here from 1863 to 1874.

The villa, which was built directly below Wartburg Castle, played a central role in Fritz Reuter's life. Its existence marks a significant change in Reuter's life, when he moved from Mecklenburg Neubrandenburg to Eisenach in Thuringia and lived out his newfound status and intellectual fulfilment here.

The collection on Richard Wagner housed in the building was not founded by the Austrian music collector Nikolaus Oesterlein out of a desire to honour Wagner, but was created with the aim of presenting the complex phenomenon of Wagner in all its diversity. It has been and continues to be expanded in order to offer a broad spectrum of sources and perspectives.

This intended objectivity allows visitors to understand the various aspects of the historical reception of Wagner in a broad context by means of volumes, scores and music manuscripts, newspaper clippings, letters and handwritten documents, pictorial sources, playbills and posters as well as 3D objects and provenances.

The exhibits of the Wagner Collection Eisenach

The Wagner collection in Eisenach, with over 26,000 objects, is an impressive compilation that shows the broad spectrum of Wagner's reception since the first Bayreuth Festival.

„Wagner's Room“: Another part of the exhibition and library with travelling piano and bust of Wagner.

• 5,500 written bindings: The centrepiece is the Wagner library with a wealth of publications. These include contemporary publications on various artistic, philosophical and political trends that had an influence on the composer's work, life and world view.
• 15,000 newspaper cuttings and newspapers: A comprehensive archive of newspaper cuttings documents the reception of Wagner's work in the 19th century and his influence thereafter.
• 200 original letters and 800 autographs: The Wagner Collection not only contains original letters from Richard Wagner, but also an extensive collection of handwritten documents from various personalities from his time. This unique compilation of autographs includes documents from Cosima Wagner, Mathilde Wesendonck, Franz Liszt, Ludwig II of Bavaria and Hans von Bülow.
• 2,600 image sources: This comprehensive collection contains not only portraits of Wagner, but also pictures of people who were associated with him, as well as stage and set designs from various productions.
• 900 theatre flyers and posters: Original theatre flyers and posters from performances of Wagner's works offer insights into the dissemination and success of his operas in German-speaking countries.
• 3D objects and provenances: The collection of devotional objects, curiosities and personal artefacts as well as the estates of well-known Wagner singers and personalities of the 19th century complete the picture of Wagner's culture and offer insights into his time and his network.

Rent rooms of the museum in the Reuter-Villa

The salon and the dining room as well as the special exhibition room can also be rented on application via the Eisenach city council and used for non-commercial events and weddings.

The rent can also be partially or completely waived for municipal events or events organised in partnership with the city of Eisenach as well as for charitable purposes.

The visitor service of the Reuter-Wagner-Museum offers more information on renting, as well as the forms for renting and rent remission, on its page in the Eisenach city portal.

The 'music room': one of many well-preserved rooms, some of which can also be rented. Incidentally, a bust of Fritz Reuter can be seen on the left of the picture.

Opening hours and group tours

The exhibition at the Reuter-Wagner-Museum is open all year round from Wednesday to Sunday and on public holidays.

Combined ticket, city pass and Sunday regulations: the admission prices

In addition to regular and reduced admission prices, visitors to the city and museum enthusiasts benefit from the combination ticket, which also includes admission to the City Palace and Predigerkirche.

With the Stadtpass der Stadt Eisenach, people on low incomes and volunteers also receive a discount on admission to the Reuter-Wagner-Museum and on the combined ticket.