A highly regarded collection featuring around 700 European works from the 15th to the 18th century. It is particularly known for its focus on Italian Renaissance and Baroque art, including Raphael's Sistine Madonna, as well as a significant selection of Dutch and Flemish masters and works by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
The Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden, Germany, displays around 750 paintings from the 15th to the 18th centuries. It includes major Italian Renaissance works as well as Dutch and Flemish paintings. Outstanding works by German, French, and Spanish painters of the period are also among the gallery's attractions.
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The baroque palace features a nympheum, many sculptures of Permoser, a bell pavilion and famous art collections. Do not miss the "Alte Meister" - you'll find Rafael's famous Sistine Madonna with its well-known angels there. Three separate exhibitions are housed in the Zwinger. (See below.) The Zwinger is part of the Dresden State Art Collections (SKD).
Saxon State Opera and concert hall
This opera house is known for its architecture and the Staatskapelle Dresden orchestra. Its history includes the premieres of several operas by Wagner and Strauss. Tickets should be booked in advance, though some last-minute tickets are available at the box office shortly before the performance starts. Seats with restricted views are available at a lower price. Guided tours in German are offered throughout the day.
Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments
A collection of historical scientific instruments from the 18th century. It features a variety of early precision tools, including telescopes, clocks, and celestial models that reflect the scientific interests and technological advancements of that era.
Green Vault
One of the most significant collections of European goldsmith's work and decorative arts. The museum is divided into two sections, each requiring a separate ticket. The Historic Green Vault (Historisches Grünes Gewölbe) preserves the treasury as it was arranged in 1733, featuring items like the crown jewels of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The New Green Vault (Neues Grünes Gewölbe) focuses on individual objects in a modern, neutral setting, including the famous green diamond. Visitors are advised to book time-slot tickets for the Historic Green Vault in advance.
Porcelain Collection
A unique collection showcasing the obsession with "white gold" during the 18th century. It features thousands of exquisite pieces from China, Japan, and the first European porcelain factory in Meißen, founded by Augustus the Strong.
The collection will be closed for renovation from 07 September to 30 October 2026.
Royal Palace
During the bombing of Dresden in February 1945 the interior of the palace was almost completely destroyed by fire. Only the part that is now the Historisches Grünes Gewölbe (and the basements) was unaffected. Due to lack of money and political will during the GDR and despite the efforts of volunteers and local organizations, restoration only took place after reunification in the 1990s. It is now a palace for art and science. The Royal Palace is part of the Dresden State Art Collections (SKD).