A quiet town, a legendary voice, and a celebration that never ends.
Freddie Mercury’s life was full of noise — music, lights, fans, and flashing cameras. But in Montreux, Switzerland, he found something different. Silence. Stillness. Space to create.
Queen bought Mountain Studios in the late 1970s, located inside the Montreux Casino. It quickly became one of the most important creative spaces for the band — even if Freddie wasn’t a fan at first.
The town felt too quiet. Too sleepy.
“The best place for the studio would be at the bottom of the lake.”
— Freddie Mercury, joking in the early days of Montreux
But over time, that calm became a blessing. Away from London’s chaos or Munich’s late-night distractions, Freddie began to find focus. He recorded some of Queen’s most powerful songs here — “Under Pressure,” “The Show Must Go On,” and the deeply emotional final tracks for Made in Heaven. And in the last years of his life, when energy was limited and privacy was precious, Montreux offered exactly what he needed: peace, quiet, and focus.
A Town That Became a Tribute
When Freddie passed away in 1991, Montreux didn’t forget him. Just five years later, a statue was unveiled on the lakeside promenade — arms raised, microphone in hand, overlooking Lake Geneva.
Since then, Montreux has become a place of pilgrimage. A quiet town turned into sacred ground. The statue stands as a symbol of resilience, artistry, and lasting legac
And now, what began in 2001 as a simple tour of Freddie-related spots has grown into a full four-day gathering. From Freddie Mercury’s Montreux Memorial Day to Freddie Celebration Days. Every year, around 5 September — Freddie’s birthday — Montreux lights up with one of the most heartfelt fan tributes in the world: Freddie Celebration Days.
Live concerts, silent discos, exhibitions, boat tours, and more take over the lakeside. Fans gather from every corner of the planet to sing, dance, and remember. The event is organised by the non-profit Montreux Celebration, and it remains free and open to all — a true celebration of love and music.
Montreux wasn’t just where Freddie worked. It was where he rested, recharged, and reconnected with the quieter parts of himself.
“Who wants to live forever?” Freddie once asked in one of Queen’s most haunting ballads. He may not have believed in eternity — but Montreux proves that some legacies truly do last forever.
The fans who gather here, year after year, are living proof — together with the statue by the lake and the music echoing across the water. This isn’t just nostalgia — it’s celebration.
A celebration of the man, the myth, and the moments that made him unforgettable.
With World of Freddie, you get much closer — not to the icon, but to the man behind it all.
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