Mozarteum University and Magic Flute House, Salzburg

Mozarteum University Salzburg is one of the city’s most important institutions for music and the performing arts. It is a separate institution from the International Mozarteum Foundation and the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, although all three share the name “Mozarteum” and a connection to Mozart’s legacy. The university’s motto, “Mozart is our inspiration, music our tradition, art our passion,” reflects its role in Salzburg’s musical life.

One of the most intriguing attractions near the university complex, in the gardens of the International Mozarteum Foundation, is the Magic Flute House. This small summerhouse is traditionally linked to Mozart’s composition of The Magic Flute in 1791. According to a popular legend, his librettist, Emanuel Schikaneder, had Mozart locked inside so that he would finish the opera on time. The story is probably apocryphal, but it has helped make the tiny building a beloved part of Salzburg’s Mozart lore.

Originally located in Vienna, the cottage was transported to Salzburg and has been restored several times, particularly after suffering damage during the Second World War. It is now located near the Mozarteum complex and is sometimes accessible to visitors during events held in the adjacent Great Hall in July and August.

For music lovers, attending a concert at the Mozarteum Foundation is also highly recommended. The combination of live music and Mozart-related history makes this a particularly rewarding stop on a Mozart-themed walk through Salzburg.