Lehár Villa

The villa of the operetta composer Franz Lehár (30 April 1870 – 24 October 1948) located at Lehár-Kai is always worth a visit.

In 1901, Lehár visited Bad Ischl for the first time. Back then he was the conductor of a military band. A year or two later, he met his future wife Sophie, to whom he married many years later (1924).

In 1912, Lehár purchased the villa on the shore of the Traun river from the Duchess of Sabran. The couple spent the summers in their beloved villa in Ischl. Many famous figures like artists, librettists and publishers were visitors of the villa, and Lehár’s best friend, Max Tauber, even lived here too for a while, until he purchased his own villa on Traunkai, not far from Lehár’s villa.

Lehár always felt very comfortable in Bad Ischl and in his villa on the shore of the Traun river, and said: “…in Ischl, I always have the best ideas…”. He was a loyal resident of Bad Ischl for 46 years. In his villa, he composed and completed masterpieces like Paganini, The Tsarevich, and The Land of Smiles and Giuditta.

In October 1948, Lehár received an honorary citizenship of Bad Ischl.  He died shortly afterwards. His grave is located in the cemetery in Bad Ischl.

In his will and last testament, Lehár bequeathed his villa to the Municipality of Bad Ischl, under the condition that the villa be run exclusively as a Franz Lehár museum. He also prescribed that within the villa, nothing should be changed, and everything must be maintained and kept in good condition. Those responsible at the Municipality office should be repeatedly reminded of their charge.