Engines and innovation fill this historic building. Right here stands the Dresden Transport Museum. Housed in the Johanneum, one of Dresden’s oldest museum buildings, its story began in 1952. Imagine a time shortly after World War II when the Hochschule für Verkehrswesen and the Ministry of Transport decided to create a transport museum. Its main purpose was to safeguard exhibits from the Saxon Railway Museum. These treasures had been evacuated during the war.
Initially, the first vehicles found refuge in a locomotive shed. This was at Dresden’s Neustadt station. Six dedicated employees began the museum’s development. By 1953, two small exhibitions were ready for the public. The official opening occurred in 1956 within the still-damaged Johanneum. The inaugural exhibition showcased 120 years of Saxon transport history. Elfriede Rehbein was the first director.
In 1958, the Ministry of Transport took ownership. Interior renovations concluded in 1966. The facade followed in 1968. Interestingly, the roof wasn’t covered in copper. Instead, Duraluminium was used, reflecting aircraft construction techniques. By the 1970s, the aviation exhibition opened. Now, the Dresden Transport Museum displayed all modes of transport under one roof. This includes railways, cars, bicycles, shipping, and air traffic.
Limited space led to some exhibits being housed elsewhere. Numerous locomotives found a home in the former Deutsche Reichsbahn locomotive depot at Dresden-Altstadt. Some vehicles were loaned to other museums. Discussions arose in the 1990s about relocating the museum. However, financial constraints prevented this move.
The Dresden Transport Museum is divided into distinct exhibition areas. Railway history receives special emphasis. The “Muldenthal”, built in 1861, is Germany’s oldest steam engine preserved in its original state. The museum also boasts one of the last original narrow-gauge locomotives of Saxon Class IV K. The local public transport exhibition ranges from a sedan chair dating from 1705 to historic tramways. An original Dresden funicular railway car of 1934 is also exhibited.
Road traffic displays pioneer automobiles. A replica of Carl Benz’s 1886 tricycle is present. This is the predecessor to modern cars. The motorcycle exhibition includes Gottlieb Daimler’s 1885 petroleum-powered Reitwagen. This was the first internal combustion motorcycle.
The aviation area gives an overview of civil aviation’s development. It focuses on Saxon contributions from 1955 to 1961. The sea travel exhibition highlights inland navigation on the Elbe River. It also covers maritime navigation on the high seas. It provides a glimpse into the past and present of sea travel.
Note that trams are no longer displayed in the museum. They were transferred to Tram Museum Dresden.
Before you stands a Renaissance building with a story dating back to 1591. Christian I, Elector of Saxony, expanded the Residenzschloss with a tournament ground. He added a building for the electoral stables, coach house, and armoury. Two halls housed carriages, coaches, and 128 horses. Alterations continued. King John’s name has been associated with the building since 1876. The Langer Gang colonnade, now housing the Shipping exhibition, was built on an old town wall.
The Fürstenzug, a porcelain mural, graces its exterior front. The Langer Gang linked the Stallgebäude with the palace. This formed an ornamental façade facing the Stallhof. The Stallhof is Europe’s oldest preserved Renaissance courtyard. It was once the heart of chivalry games. The Johanneum is Dresden’s oldest exhibition building. It has served as an armoury, picture gallery, porcelain collection, and historical museum. It became the Dresden Transport Museum over 50 years ago. The Dresden Transport Museum owns 116 railway vehicles. Only eight are on display in the Johanneum. Many are kept at the depot or loaned to other societies. This museum is more than just a collection. It’s a journey through time and innovation.