The world-famous operetta composer Franz Lehár (* April 30, 1870; † October 24, 1948) first came to Ischl in 1901, where he also met his wife Sophie. In 1912, he bought a villa on the River Traun from the Duchess of Sabran and from then on spent his summers in Bad Ischl. Famous personalities, artists, librettists, publishers and many more came and went at the villa. Among them was his friend Richard Tauber. Lehár felt at home here and also said ".... in Ischl I always have the best ideas...".
He remained loyal to Bad Ischl for 46 years, composing and completing masterpieces and was ultimately buried in Bad Ischl. Franz Lehár bequeathed the house to the municipality of Bad Ischl on the condition that it be preserved in its original condition and made accessible to the public. You can feel the spirit of Ischl's summer resort in the late 19th and early 20th century when you walk through the tranquil villa on the Traun. At the same time, it is probably the best place to gain an insight into the lives of Lehár and his wife Sophie. The villa is also a reflection of the couple's passion for collecting and displays a wide range of art and furnishings of various types and eras, which they collected and arranged. It is remarkable that everything has been preserved as if Franz Lehár had just left the villa.
Study © Museums of the town of Bad Ischl
In 2023/24, the house was thoroughly renovated in close cooperation with the Federal Monuments Office and the existing collection of art and furnishings was expertly restored. During the renovation, a conscious decision was made not to museumize the house, install barriers and display the historical objects in showcases. This still provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Franz Lehár's home and life as he lived there in the summer months until the 1940s.
The villa was originally built in the 1840s as a single-storey Biedermeier villa with a hipped roof. When the house became the property of the Duke of Sabran-Pontevès, it was extended and given a representative neoclassical façade. After extensive restoration, this special monument reopened its doors to interested visitors in May 2024.
Visits to the Lehárvilla are only possible with a guided tour.
April to October 2025
www.stadtmuseum.at
Dining room © Museums of the town of Bad Ischl
