homepage Zeitgeister The Cultural Magazine of the Goethe-Institut

Slideshow At home with Thomas Mann

Graphic in shades of grey, showing a drawing by Thomas Mann on the left and a section of a world map in the remaining part of the image. In North America and Europe, Thomas Mann's places of residence (Lübeck, Munich, Zurich, Princeton and Los Angeles) are labelled and lines indicate the route Thomas Mann took from one place to another.

Thomas Mann lived in all these places. | © Autograf / Tobias Schrank

From Lübeck to Los Angeles: Thomas Mann’s life story took him from Europe to the USA and back again. Our slideshow gives you an insight into the many different places where the Mann family lived.

Lübeck (1875–1894)

Second house from the right: Thomas Mann's birthplace. Breite Strasse 38, Lübeck. — Thomas Mann’s birthplace is located at Breite Straße 38 in Lübeck (here the second house from the right). | © ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Thomas-Mann-Archiv / Photographer: Unknown / TMA_4332

The Buddenbrookhaus in Lübeck, left front view, right view from the street corner Breite Straße/Mengstraße — However, the house at Mengstraße 4, where Thomas Mann grew up and which served as the model for the Buddenbrooks house, is far better known | © ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Thomas-Mann-Archiv / Photographer: Unknown / left: TMA_4303, right: TMA_4306

View of the buildings at Mengstraße 4 and 6, which are to be opened together as ‘The NEW Buddenbrookhaus’ after the remodelling — Today, the Buddenbrookshaus is a museum dedicated to the life and work of the Mann family. | © picture alliance/dpa | Markus Scholz

Munich (1894–1933)

Black and white picture. House of the Mann family on Poschingerstrasse, exterior view. Standing in front of the house from the left: Klaus Mann, Erika Mann, Thomas Mann. — House of the Mann family on Poschingerstrasse, ca. 1930. Standing in front of the house, from left: Klaus Mann, Erika Mann, Thomas Mann. | Foto (Detail): © ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Thomas-Mann-Archiv / Photographer: Unknown / TMA_4352

Exterior shot of the house at Poschingerstrasse 1 in the snow, black and white image, 1920s. — House of the Mann family at Poschingerstrasse 1, photo taken in winter, 1920s. | Foto (Detail): © ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Thomas-Mann-Archiv / Photographer: Unknown / TMA_5359

A new building quotes ‘in its own way’ (according to the memorial plaque) the façade of the old Mann villa ‘Poschi’, which used to stand here. — A new building quotes “in its own way” (according to the memorial plaque) the façade of the old Mann villa “Poschi”, which used to stand here | Foto (Detail): © picture alliance / SZ Photo | Alessandra Schellnegger

Come back soon to see more stations on Thomas Mann's journey through life!

You might also like

Between two Worlds Bourgeois and Artist Thomas Mann

Thomas Mann grappled with it his entire life – this inner tension between bourgeois existence and his calling as an artist. We explore a conflict that shaped his literary work more than anything else.

Foto (Detail): © picture alliance / Mary Evans Picture Library

Film still from “Death in Venice” by Luchino Visconti (Björn Andresen and Dirk Bogarde)

Psychological test Which Thomas Mann novel character are you?

Impostors, dreamers, unconventional free spirits and crazy dogs. There are many exciting characters in Thomas Mann's novels. Which character are you? Find out with our psychological test.

Illustrations of Mann's novel characters: (from left) Felix Krull, Hans Castorp, Sesemi Weichbrod, Imma Spoelmann

A special relationship Thomas Mann and Italy

Thomas Mann returned to Italy, the wellspring of his creativity, throughout his life. Yet despite Italy being a source of inspiration, his writings present a surprisingly sombre portrait of the country.


Registration for the newsletter Goethe.de – Germany and the world of the Goethe-Institut

Your Email
	Subscribe Unsubscribe
By registering, I agree that my e-mail address may be used for purposes of sending me the subscribed e-mail newsletter. Registration is free and can be revoked any time. Data protection