Landhaus Küster

Have you ever wondered what secrets lie behind the stately facade of Landhaus Küster? Landhaus Küster stands as a testament to Dresden’s rich history. It whispers tales of bygone eras, of political power and artistic expression. Originally known as the Land- und Steuerhaus, Landhaus Küster was built between 1770 and 1776. The architect behind this masterpiece was Friedrich August Krubsacius, who worked under the watchful eye of Oberkammerherr Ludwig Siegfried Vitzthum von Eckstädt. The Landhaus Küster was designed in the late Dresden Baroque style, replacing the former Palais Flemming-Sulkowski. It served as a representative meeting place for the Saxon Landstand, the region’s governing body. They were responsible for the tax administration of the land, with the Obersteuerkollegium moving in during September 1775. Just a month later, the Saxon Landstand held its first meeting within these very walls. Landhaus Küster continued to serve as the seat of the Landstand until 1909. It witnessed the shift from a feudal system to a constitutional monarchy in 1831, housing the bicameral Ständeversammlung. Landhaus Küster’s story, however, took a dramatic turn during World War II. Like many of Dresden’s architectural treasures, it suffered significant damage during the bombing raids. Yet, its outer shell miraculously survived. The post-war reconstruction of Dresden brought changes to the cityscape, widening the Wilsdruffer Straße and claiming a portion of Landhaus Küster’s front garden. The eastern wing was removed. The grand entrance gate was relocated to the Baroque Garden Großsedlitz. Between 1962 and 1965, Landhaus Küster was meticulously rebuilt at a cost of 3.2 million DDR-Mark. In 1966, it reopened its doors, this time as the home of the Dresden City Museum. In 2005, the Städtische Galerie, Dresden’s City Art Gallery, also found a home within its walls. Today, Landhaus Küster stands as a symbol of Dresden’s resilience, a beautiful fusion of history and art. It invites you to step inside and discover the stories it holds within, from the grandeur of the Baroque era to the challenges of the 20th century.