Glistening in the sunlight stands the magnificent Barockschloss in Dresden. It is a testament to centuries of Saxon history. For nearly 400 years, this castle was home to powerful electors and kings. They ruled Saxony from 1547 to 1806 and again from 1806 to 1918.
Originally, around 1200, the Barockschloss was a simple Romanesque keep. Then, in the early 15th century, the Hausmannsturm rose. It became the castle’s oldest part. From 1468 to 1480, master builder Arnold von Westfalen expanded the keep into a four-wing structure. By the 16th century, the castle saw the addition of Renaissance elements.
After a major fire in 1701, Augustus II the Strong rebuilt much of the Barockschloss. He favored the Baroque style. During this time, collection rooms were created in the western wing. From 1723 to 1729, the Silver Room, Heraldic Room, Pretiosensaal, Kaminzimmer, Jewel Room, Ivory Room and Bronze Room were constructed.
The House of Wettin celebrated its 800th anniversary, Saxony’s ruling family, with more rebuilding between 1889 and 1901. A Neo-Renaissance renovation brought modernizations, like in-floor heating and electric lights in 1914. The Stallhof, linking the castle to the Johanneum, featured the “Procession of Princes” by Wilhelm Walther. Because the painting faded quickly, it was recreated using about 23000 Meissen porcelain tiles between 1904 and 1907.
World War II’s Dresden bombing on February 13, 1945, reduced much of the Barockschloss to a roofless shell. Three rooms of the Green Vault were destroyed. Fortunately, the collections were moved to safety at Königstein Fortress earlier in the war. For 15 years after the war, rebuilding was minimal, with only a temporary roof added in 1946.
Restoration began in the 1960s. It accelerated, and parts of the State Apartments reopened in September 2019. Today, the Barockschloss houses five museum sections. These include the Historic and New Green Vault, the Numismatic Cabinet, the Collection of Prints, Drawings and Photographs, and the Dresden Armory with the Turkish Chamber.
Inside the Green Vault, you will discover Europe’s largest treasure collection. Augustus II the Strong founded it in 1723. It showcases a rich array of baroque to classicism exhibits. The Numismatic Cabinet, dating back to the 16th century, holds nearly 300000 pieces. It is one of Europe’s largest universal collections, with coins spanning from classical antiquity to today.
The Collection of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs displays works by renowned artists from many countries. The Dresden Armory features one of the world’s most valuable collections of weapons and armory. The Turkish Chamber displays more than 600 art objects from the Ottoman Empire. This makes it one of the oldest and most significant Ottoman-era collections outside Turkey.
In November 2019, masked burglars stole royal Polish-Saxon jewels and priceless objects from the museum. The press called it one of the largest and most significant burglaries since World War II. The loot’s worth was estimated at nearly $130 million. Despite this event, the Barockschloss remains a symbol of Dresden’s resilience and artistic heritage.
As you stand here, consider the countless stories held within these walls. From royal celebrations to wartime survival, the Barockschloss continues to captivate and inspire. Its blend of architectural styles and rich collections offer a glimpse into Saxony’s vibrant past.