Rüstkammer (Armoury) in the Semperbau

In the Semperbau armoury the visitor can take a trip through time, following the footsteps of those who went to court festivities, knightly tournaments and court hunts. Beautiful weapons, impressive racing and jousting equipment, paintings of tournaments and princes of the 16th to 18 century, all told more than 1,300 items from all corners of Europe and the Orient which reflect the royal court culture of the Early Modern Period and provide witness to the glamorous court fests in Dresden.

As the outfitter for knightly tournaments and court hunting expeditions, the Dresden armoury was more closely connected with life at the court in the royal residential city than any other collection. The Electors and their guests, accompanied by members of the court on majestic horses, took to the list as tournament contestants or went out as hunters and stalkers. Today the tournament weapons are beautifully displayed with the runners of the Elector August von Sachsen. After the completion of the renovation of the residential palace in Dresden, the armoury, with its royal-electoral collection, will return to its original location, greeting the visitors in the majestic halls on the first and second floors of the palace. In addition to the ceremonial weapons now on display, visitors will also be able to see the unique collection of clothing and rifles. The Türckische Cammer has already been opened to visitors – one of the oldest and most important collections of Ottoman art outside of Turkey.

The focal point of the exhibition in the Semperbau is knighthood: on the one hand there are the knights who compete in tournaments, on the other there are the princes who fulfil representative functions and who go out into battle. But even those who are less interested in knights and weapons can make some fascinating discoveries: the magnificent items on display are made by top grade artisans and have a beauty all their own quite apart from their function.