What remains of Dessau Palace today?

Only the western wing, the Johannbau, has survived; the east and south wings, destroyed in the 1945 air raids, were later demolished.

Can Dessau Palace be visited?

Yes, the Johannbau now houses the Dessau city history museum, open to the public since its restoration was completed in 2005.

How old is the Johannbau?

Construction began in the late 1520s, making it one of the earliest Renaissance buildings in central Germany.

Why did most of the palace disappear?

The air raid of 7 March 1945 severely damaged the site, and the nearly destroyed east and south wings were subsequently demolished.

Dessau Palace

Dessau-Roßlau

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Dessau-Roßlau

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Residenzschloss Dessau stands in Dessau-Roßlau (Dessau-Roßlau), in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. No visits are on record for this building.

The Dessau Palace survives today only as a single wing, the Johannbau, the sole remnant of a much larger complex that once served as the residence of the princes and later dukes of Anhalt-Dessau. Counted among the earliest Renaissance buildings in central Germany, it went through fires, repeated rebuildings and heavy wartime bombing before being restored to its historic appearance, including its arched gables. It now houses the city history museum of Dessau. Preserved fragments of a 1549 illusionistic wall painting can still be seen on its south wall.

Written from Dessau Palace

What to know

Only the wing known as the Johannbau still stands, the other wings destroyed in 1945 were demolished after the war.
The building now houses the Dessau city history museum and can be visited as such.
Since the original interior was lost during the war, today's rooms result from a reconstruction carried out between 1990 and 2005.
The Renaissance stair tower could be restored to its former shape despite fire damage.
No verified information on opening hours, prices or access is available here.

Where this château is

Dessau-Roßlau · Dessau-Roßlau · Sachsen-Anhalt

Map of the area around Residenzschloss Dessau

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Dessau-Roßlau, Dessau-Roßlau

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Protection status unknown

In pictures

Frequently asked

What remains of Dessau Palace today?: Only the western wing, the Johannbau, has survived; the east and south wings, destroyed in the 1945 air raids, were later demolished.
Can Dessau Palace be visited?: Yes, the Johannbau now houses the Dessau city history museum, open to the public since its restoration was completed in 2005.
How old is the Johannbau?: Construction began in the late 1520s, making it one of the earliest Renaissance buildings in central Germany.
Why did most of the palace disappear?: The air raid of 7 March 1945 severely damaged the site, and the nearly destroyed east and south wings were subsequently demolished.