Description of the attraction
Villa Lehár stands on the banks of the Traun River and is located just five hundred meters from the main train station of the famous Austrian resort of Bad Ischl. The famous Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár, the author of many operettas, lived here for several decades.
It was in the town of Bad Ischl in 1903 that Lehar met the love of his life - Sofia Pashkis. And the composer acquired the villa itself only nine years later - in 1912, previously it belonged to the Duchess von Sabran. Interestingly, Lehar bought this villa solely because it was located next to the house of his beloved Sophia, who was already married, and therefore for a long time they could not legitimize their relationship. Since 1912, this villa served as the summer residence of Lehar himself, and later of his wife Sophia.
The building itself stands on the banks of the river and is a small three-story building, decorated with an elegant triangular pediment. According to the will of Lehar, who died in Ischl in 1948, his villa was transferred to the ownership of the city. Now it houses the museum of the famous composer - here you can find antique furniture, clocks, paintings, sculptures, other decorative art items and a variety of antiques. In the former house of Sofia Pashkis, a museum is also now open, called the Museum of the Motherland (Heimatmuseum) or "Old Ischl" (Alt-Ischl). It also features various works of art, antiques and other curious rarities.
It was when Lehar was staying at his villa in Ischl that he created the most successful pieces of music. The composer himself said that in Ischl they always find brilliant ideas for him. Here Lehar developed the following works: "Count Luxembourg", "Eve", "Paganini", "Tsarevich", his last operetta "Giuditta" and, of course, the famous "Merry Widow". The scores of some parts are still exhibited in the museum.
