Sightseeing in Bayreuth

Most of the sights in Bayreuth are within easy walking distance of each other in the old town. The Wagner-Museum is south of the old town and connected to the Neues Schloss with the lovely Hofgarten (Court Garden). The Festspielhaus is about 20 minutes walk north of the old town. The Hermitage (Eremitage) is 5 km (3 miles) northeast of the old town on the B85.

Bayreuth 's Old Town

The Markgräfliches Opernhaus (Margraves’ Opera House), Opernstraße 14, was erected in the 18th century on orders of the Margravine Wilhelmina and is considered the best-preserved unaltered Baroque theater in Europe. It is fairly plain outside, but the interior is in Rococo splendor with no surface left unpainted or ungilded. Astonishingly, the whole interior is made of wood. The theater was the largest in Germany up to 1871. The three levels of galleries are divided into boxes, with the royal box carrying the crown of Prussia and the coat of arms of the local margraves. Apparently, this theater drew Wagner to Bayreuth but he considered it unsuitable for his greatest works – it really is more suitable to magic flutes than riding Valkyries.

The Schlosskirche, Schlossberglein 1-3, is a single-aisle church completed in the mid-18th century. The mighty octagonal belfry is early 17th century. The church interior is Rococo and has the graves of the Margrave Friedrich and Margravine Wilhelmina.

The Neues Schloss (New Palace), Ludwigstraße 21, was erected in just two years on the orders of Margravine Wilhelmina. It combined and converted a number of existing buildings. The interior is dominated by the Rococo with the margravine’s apartments particularly elaborate and in stark contrast to the more somber quarters of the margrave.

Wagner Sights

The Haus Wahnfried Wagner Museum, Richard-Wagner-Straße 48, is in the only house Wagner ever owned. Only the façade survived World War II but the rest was meticulously restored. The museum is dedicated to the life and work of Wagner as well as the history of the Festspiele. Cherished possessions include original scripts of several operas and instruments used by Wagner. Richard and Cosima Wagner are buried in the garden. Music is played at 10 am, noon, and 2 pm; a video is played at 11 am and 3 pm. Opening hours are daily from April to October, 9 am to 5 pm, closing at 9 pm on Wednesday and Thursday. From November to March, opening hours are daily, 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is i4. The Franz Liszt Museum is nearby, atWahnfriedstraße 9. Liszt (1811-1886) died here during one of the Festspiele. He was an admirer of Wagner’s work, a friend, and eventually father-in-law. The museum has mainly pictures and manuscripts.

The Festspielhaus (Festival Theater), Festspielhügel 1-2, 95445 Bayreuth, is what many Wagner fans come to Bayreuth to see. It is a rather plain building inside and out. Wagner designed it himself and the emphasis was on the sound quality, not the aesthetics of the building or the comfort of the audience. The bare walls and uncovered, wooden seats enhance the acoustics. The orchestra plays in a pit below the stage from where the music is guided by soundboards to bounce off the wall behind the singers, so it can mix with their voices before being blasted to the audience. The acoustics even take into account the density of the audience.