The Buddenbrooks House is a standout among Luebeck’s many literary attractions. Dedicated to the Nobel Laureate Thomas Mann and his brother Heinrich Mann, this creative museum does not merely explore the lives of these two writers, although some of its exhibits do cover them. A section of the museum takes the interesting approach of recreating the house featured in Thomas Mann’s famous novel Buddenbrooks.
Admire this stunning building from the outside before you step into it. The elaborate Baroque façade was constructed in 1758, and in the late 19th century the building was owned by the Mann family before eventually passing into public ownership. Thomas Mann was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929, but it was not until 1993 that the house was opened to the public as a museum dedicated to the Manns.
Visit today and you will find the museum arranged as it has been since 2000, with two permanent exhibitions. Learn about the fascinating history of the entire Mann family and how their lives fit in with the broader story of Germany in The Manns – a Family of Writers. In The Buddenbrooks exhibition, meanwhile, you will find rooms set up like the house featured in the novel.
Marvel at the detail of the rooms copied from the book. They are furnished with authentic furniture and other items from the late 19th century, including a harmonium and a puppet theater. Notice the level of care taken to keep the space true to the novel. There is even a copy of the Lübeck Gazette, dated 1891.
Make sure you check what is on at the museum before you plan your visit. Many different literary events are held here throughout the year.
Be aware that the opening times of the Buddenbrooks House vary by the season and it is sometimes closed on Mondays, so it is worth checking the times in advance. There is an admission fee to enter the museum, with a reduced rate for children.
