The Best Museums & Galleries in Dresden

New Masters Gallery (Galerie Neue Meister – at the Albertinum)

Floods in 20012 severely damaged the Albertinum, but subsequent restoration and renovation has created a fantastic space to showcase one of Dresden’s most significant art collections. Dating from the Romantic period to 21st century, the New Masters Gallery holds contemporary classics by Dresden-born Gerhard Richter, superb examples from Dresden’s renowned Die Brücke group, Impressionists such as Monet and Degas, and the greatest German Romantic artist, Caspar David Friedrich.

Albertinum, (entrance Brühlsche Terrasse and Georg-Treu-Platz) Dresden, Germany, +49 351 491 420 00

The Albertinum is home to Dresden’s New Masters Gallery and the state sculpture collection | © Frank Exß / dresden.de

Old Masters Gallery (Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister – at the Sempergalerie, Zwinger)

The natural partner for the Albertinum’s New Masters Gallery is the Old Masters Gallery, which is situated in the Semperbau, part of the magnificent baroque Zwinger complex. Most of the big names from art history are showcased at the Old Masters Gallery, including Vermeer’s Girl Reading, Raphael’s Sistine Madonna and numerous notable works by the likes of Correggio, Bellotto, Dürer, Rubens and Rembrandt.

Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Sempergalerie at Zwinger, Schinkelwache, Theaterplatz, 2 Dresden, Germany +49 351 491 420 00

Dresden’s Old Masters Gallry and Armoury at the Semper Building | © Frank Exß/dresden.de

Despite its clumsy name, the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum presents a superb family day out, and one with an interesting scientific bent. Firstly, the wonderful Functionalist architecture, created in the 1930s, has been extensively restored and updated to create a modern museum. The permanent Human Adventure follows its science focus so visitors better understand bodies and feelings, for example – check out the Transparent Woman, a fantastic talking point for kids and adults alike. There is also a terrifically interactive Children’s Museum, a language exhibition and various special exhibitions.

Royal Palace (Residenzschloss)

The Dresden Residenzschloss was not only the Royal Palace but also the centre of power for the Wettin royal family from 1485. The palace was vacated in the post-First World War revolutionary period and was severely damaged in the February 1945 Allied bombing. Reconstructed over decades, today its exhibitions reflect the life and times of the palace and royal family. The historic Green Vault (Grünes Gewölbe) is a veritable treasure trove of art and jewellery, the Kupferstich-Kabinett holds a major collection of prints and the Rüstkammer is the former armoury presenting weapons from various historical periods.

Residenzschloss, Taschenberg 2, Dresden, Germany, +49 351 491 420 00

The Residenzschloss served as the Royal Palace and seat of power from the 15th century | © Frank Exß/dresden.de

Die Welt der DDR (The World of GDR – German Democratic Republic)

The accusation of ‘Ostalgie’ refers to residents of the former East Germany getting nostalgic about the former East (‘Ost’) Germany period, which ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. True or not, visitors can’t seem to get enough of museums dedicated to life during the period. Dresden’s Die Welt der DDR uses thousands of artefacts (Trabant cars, bikes, kitchen utensils, radios, TVs, furniture, flags and uniforms) to present a fascinating glimpse into life behind the Iron Curtain in Dresden up to 1989.

Die Welt der DDR, Antonstraße 2A, Dresden, Germany, +49 351 563 408 88

Dresden’s Welt der DDR museum shows life under East German communism | © www.weltderddr.de