Mit der baulichen

Now that work on the Propositionssaal (Proposition Hall) and the Großer Ballsaal (Grand Ballroom) has been fully accomplished, the reconstruction of the bel étage in Dresden’s Residenzschloss (Royal Palace) is complete. From 22 April 2026, it will once again be possible to view all the state rooms in their historical sequence. This leads from the Englische Treppe (English Staircase) into a series of magnificent halls: from the Riesensaal (Hall of the Giants) with its tournament scenes into the restored Audienzzimmer der Königin (Queen’s Audience Chamber), followed by the Kleiner and Großer Ballsaal (Small and Grand Ballrooms) with their impressive remnants of original décor, thence into the light-filled Porzellankabinett (Porcelain Cabinet) and the Proposition Hall, and finally leading into the Baroque Paraderäume (State Apartments) of August the Strong. The tour concludes in the Türckische Cammer (Turkish Chamber), with its evocative display of Ottoman art. 

The new permanent exhibition

The Rüstkammer’s (Armoury) new permanent exhibition, ‘Masks and Crowns: Court Festival Culture and Representations of Power,’ is on display in the recently completed halls, which have been recreated in the Historicist style. It comprises more than 450 objects, many of which have not been on public view since the Second World War. Most of the items come from the Rüstkammer, with some additional objects from other collections within the Staaatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (Dresden State Art Collections, SKD) – the Münzkabinett (Coin Cabinet), the Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault), the Kupferstich-Kabinett (Museum of Prints, Drawings and Photographs), the Galerie Neue Meister (New Masters Gallery), and the Skulpturensammlung from 1800 (Sculpture Collection). Loans have also been provided by the Saxon State Archives and the Art Collections of the Veste Coburg. The artworks are among the most precious testimonies to European festival culture and ceremonial representations of princely power in centuries past. They include the only surviving Baroque electoral hat in Germany, the coronation figure of August the Strong, and his famous golden sun mask created by Johann Melchior Dinglinger. 

Thanks to generous support from the Free State of Saxony and the German federal government, numerous items in the collection have undergone extensive restoration in recent years, including a set of sleigh trappings featuring more than 500 small bells. This was used by Friedrich August II, the son of August the Strong, when he went to Vienna to ask for the hand of Maria Josepha, daughter of the deceased Emperor. 

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Turmzimmer (Tower Room) – once the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory’s first showroom – is also being reopened as a historic porcelain cabinet. Beneath the Renaissance stucco ceiling, faithfully restored to its original state, ‘Dragoon vases’ and exquisite Meissen porcelain that survived the war are displayed on gilded consoles against a backdrop of red panelling and mirrors. 

The Grand Ballroom

For centuries, Dresden was renowned for its splendid court festivities and entertainments. The costumes and accessories required for these celebrations were kept in the Rüstkammer. The Grand Ballroom now serves as a magnificent setting for displaying this opulent collection of festive paraphernalia dating from the 16th to the 18th century. Gilded helmets, silver armour, luxurious weapons, and lavishly decked-out horses demonstrate the close connection between power and splendour. The opulence of the late Renaissance and the Baroque come to life in the costumes for masquerades and festive processions. 

The exhibition focuses, in particular, on two events that served as occasions for such celebrations: in 1709, August the Strong hosted his cousin, King Frederik IV of Denmark. For the festivities during his stay, the court jeweller Johann Melchior Dinglinger designed not only the golden sun mask bearing the facial features of August the Strong, but also a helmet in the form of an eagle for his guest. In September 1719, August the Strong organised weeks of festivities to mark the wedding of his son Friedrich August II to the Habsburg Emperor’s daughter, Maria Josepha. 

An integral part of courtly festivities was the exchanging of gifts. Jewellery, luxurious weapons, and lavishly decked-out horses were intended to impress. The set of sleigh trappings covered with bells, now displayed on a custom-made wooden horse, testify to the Saxon Crown Prince’s ultimately successful courtship of Maria Josepha at the Viennese court. 

Screen projections of contemporary images showing scenes from Dresden’s most illustrious festivities, from the collection of the SKD’s Kupferstich-Kabinett, provide an effective finishing touch to the exhibition. The Grand Ballroom also contains corroborating evidence for a Saxon legend: the horseshoe that August the Strong personally broke in two on 15 February 1711 on the occasion of the christening of the ‘court dwarf’ Hante.  

The Proposition Hall 

The wood-panelled Proposition Hall was also used for balls and courtly festivities. Above all, however, it was a venue for official state functions. History was made here: it was here that the estates met, and it was here that the first Saxon constitution was proclaimed in 1831, converting the kingdom into a constitutional monarchy. Used as a throne room and as a venue for assemblies, the hall was a precursor to today’s Landtag (federal state parliament). 

In the new permanent exhibition, the Proposition Hall, with its original gilded bronze chandeliers (Lauchhammer, 1846–1848), serves as a backdrop for iconic symbols of power: the insignia of the Electors and Kings, such as the only surviving example in Germany of an original Baroque Elector’s hat, or the red boots worn by the Elector solely for the Imperial Election. The Saxon dukes of the House of Wettin had been in possession of the electoral dignity since 1423. As Electors, they belonged to the elite of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. They played a decisive role in shaping imperial policy and were subordinate only to the Emperor.

The figure wearing the royal Polish coronation regalia commemorates the coronation of Friedrich August I of Saxony (known as August the Strong) as King of Poland in Kraków on 15 September 1697. It was commissioned by August himself and the head is a faithful reproduction of a life cast of the king’s face. A highlight of regal splendour is the original coronation mantle made of blue silk velvet embroidered with gold thread and trimmed with ermine. The coronation of his son, August III, in 1734 is recalled by, among other things, the original cases for the crowns and the monumental swords of state of Poland and Lithuania. The regalia and insignia of chivalric orders, as well as coins and medals, reflect the symbolic significance of exclusive European societies, namely the Royal Danish Order of the Elephant, the Royal Polish Order of the White Eagle, the Order of the Golden Fleece, and the English Most Noble Order of the Garter.

The room concludes chronologically and historically with a display of busts of the Saxon kings. On a bench where the throne once stood, visitors are invited to crown themselves and enjoy a moment as queen or king. Projected images illustrate Saxony’s journey from monarchy to democracy – made possible with the support of Ostsächsische Sparkasse Dresden.     

The Tower Room

The Tower Room, which houses the historic porcelain cabinet and was opened back in 2019, is also part of the new permanent exhibition. For over 200 years, it served as the most prestigious showroom for Meissen porcelain. August the Strong and his son ensured that the finest products of their first European porcelain manufactory were displayed to great effect on gilded consoles set against red-lacquered walls with mirrored surfaces, accompanied by silver candelabra and selected vases from China and Japan. 

Against this historic backdrop, the exhibition presents imposing Chinese ‘Dragoon vases’ and 21 of the porcelain artist Johann Joachim Kaendler’s uniquely exuberant ‘Elements’ vases, which are unparalleled anywhere in the world. These magnificent vessels were commissioned in December 1741 by the Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, August III, as a gift for the French King Louis XV, whom he sought to win over as an ally. However, by the time the vases were completed six months later, Prussia had already established new political realities by occupying Silesia and concluding a peace treaty with Austria, which is why the magnificent vases were never given away and remained in Dresden.

With only minor alterations, the Baroque porcelain cabinet remained intact until the palace was destroyed in 1945. In 1941, the porcelain was evacuated for safekeeping; nevertheless, many valuable pieces were lost during the war and in its aftermath. Today, empty wall brackets serve as a reminder of these great losses.

Although the famous Elements vases survived, they disappeared from public view for 80 years. In preparation for their reinstallation in the reconstructed Porcelain Cabinet, they were extensively restored, including the replacement of individual missing lids and bases, at the State Porcelain Manufactory in Meissen. Back in the Dresden Residenzschloss, they once again bear witness to the virtuoso mastery of eighteenth-century Saxon porcelain artists.

The Queen’s Audience Chamber and the Picture Cabinets

The newly refurbished rooms on the bel étage also include the Queen’s Audience Chamber, situated in front of the Small Ballroom, and the Bilderkabinette (Picture Cabinets). The former relates specifically to the last Queen of Saxony, Carola, née Princess of Vasa. There, her official portrait by Leon Pohle is illuminated by a carefully restored ornate chandelier. In addition, a selection of elegant ladies’ shoes from the 18th and 19th centuries, part of the Rüstkammer’s collection, is on display, and the public is invited to try waltzing on the parquet floor. 

In the Small Picture Cabinet behind the Audience Chamber of the State Apartments, there is an exhibition of exquisite gifts from Napoleon; after elevating Saxony to the status of a kingdom in 1806, he had tapestries and porcelain sent to Dresden from Paris. The adjoining Large Picture Cabinet looks at the subject of children and animals at court. Alongside portraits of princes, horses, and dogs, the exhibition features children’s weapons and dozens of different dog collars from the late Renaissance and Baroque periods. They vividly illustrate the close bond between members of the royal family and their four-legged companions and represent another unique feature of the Dresden collections – nowhere else has such a large and high-quality collection of historical dog collars been preserved down to the present day.

Festival week 

The SKD are celebrating the opening of the bel étage and the exhibition with a week of festivities. This will begin with an Open Day on Wednesday 22 April 2026, ending on Sunday 26 April 2026. Guided tours on various themes, such as royal coronations, restoration, and horses at court, will be on offer. There will also be performances on Baroque musical instruments. Another special feature on show will be a selection of wigs, along with a perfume that has been produced in its original form since the Baroque era – visitors can sample its scent in the exhibition. Children are welcome to take part in the family tour ‘From the Masked Ball to the Sleigh Ride’ in costume. Admission is free for anyone who comes in fancy dress. 

to the detailed programme 

Bernd Ebert, Director-General of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden: ‘The permanent exhibition ‘Masks and Crowns,’ which is being opened today in Dresden’s Residenzschloss, sets new standards. Nowhere else in the world is the festival culture of the Saxon court so vividly brought to life. The display of sumptuous robes, weapons, and jewellery in the historically reconstructed halls of the former centre of political power allows visitors to immerse themselves in the courtly life of the Saxon rulers. The completion of these rooms and their re-opening to the public means that it is now possible to walk around the whole of the bel étage. In the heart of the old city centre, the Residenzschloss is reclaiming its place within the historic ensemble between the Frauenkirche, the Zwinger, and the Semper Opera House.’ 

Wolfram Weimer, Minister of State, Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM): ‘The reconstruction of the Residenzschloss, which was destroyed during the Second World War, is a milestone in the “Aufbau Ost” programme, the scheme to promote rebuilding in the eastern federal states after Germany’s reunification. I am delighted that, since 2013, BKM has been able to support this vitally important national project by providing a total of 32.75 million euros from parliamentary funds allocated by the German Bundestag. The Dresden Residenzschloss is one of the most significant testimonies to Saxon cultural history and, as an architectural masterpiece, it is renowned throughout Germany. With its historically evolved structure and, in particular, its magnificent state rooms, the palace complex epitomises Saxony’s power aspirations in Europe during the reign of August the Strong. The restoration of the bel étage and the new permanent exhibition give visitors a fresh insight into European court life. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the reconstruction with such dedication, knowledge, and skill. Through your efforts, you have shown that we can not only preserve our heritage, but also create something new in the process – an ideal fusion of past and future.’

Michael Kretschmer, Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony: ‘Dresden’s Residenzschloss is an important monument to Saxon history and culture. The extensive reconstruction work, carried out over many years, represents a major financial undertaking for the Free State, but above all it is a wonderful investment in the future. For it makes a vital part of our cultural heritage visible and accessible once more for present and future generations. These prestigious rooms, now restored to their former splendour, are a vital part of this ensemble which is of such great significance for Saxony. Indeed, Saxon history was written here: the Proposition Hall can fittingly be called the predecessor of our present-day Landtag; it was here that the first Saxon constitution was proclaimed in 1831. Today’s exhibition opening marks another milestone in the palace’s reconstruction. I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to everyone whose outstanding dedication and skill have made it possible for us to now admire the reconstructed rooms. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the federal government for its support in the reconstruction process.’

Barbara Klepsch Saxon State Minister for Culture and Tourism: ‘Now that the bel étage of Dresden’s Residenzschloss is complete, an outstanding chapter in Saxon cultural history is tangible once again. The new rooms and the exhibition ‘Masks and Crowns’ offer an impressive blend of Baroque festival culture, courtly display, and the early development of parliamentary traditions in Saxony. The fact that precious objects from the Rüstkammer, including outstanding treasures that have not been on display for a long time, are now being presented in this authentic setting makes this exhibition a very special cultural asset. The Residenzschloss thus demonstrates once again how, in Dresden, our history is preserved and communicated to the public in new, lively ways.’

Marius Winzeler, Director of the Grünes Gewölbe and the Rüstkammer, Project leader: ‘Numerous conservators have spent many years painstakingly restoring often severely damaged costumes, flags, shoes, horse trappings, tournament lances, and ornate weapons from the Dresden Rüstkammer, making them fit for display once again. I am delighted that this means yet another collection of treasures in the Dresden Residenzschloss is now accessible to the public again – unique works of art testifying to a glittering festival culture and a symbolic display of power rivalling the most prestigious of European courts.’ 

SKD collections involved: Rüstkammer, Grünes Gewölbe, Porzellansammlung, Kupferstich-Kabinett, Münzkabinett, Skulpturensammlung ab 1800, Galerie Neue Meister

Catalogue: Holger Schuckelt and Marius Winzeler (eds.), Dresden Rüstkammer, Masks and Crowns. Court festival culture and representations of power, Deutscher Kunstverlag, ISBN 978-3-422-80310-7, 19 Euro

Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday 10 am–5 pm, closed on Tuesdays

Admission: Regular € 18, Concessions € 13.50, School students up to the age of 20 € 2, Groups from 10 persons €16 p.p.