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We've compiled the best of the best in Dessau - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
The architecture and design school is still operating in this building, where artists conceived styles that influenced the appearance of such cities as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. Other structures designed by Gropius and the Bauhaus architects, among them the Meisterhäuser, are also open for inspection off Ebertallee and Elballee.
The Anhalt Art Gallery Dessau, housed in the Georgium Palace, traces its origins to several older Anhalt collections, primarily of princely heritage. The gallery's painting collection highlights Dutch works from the 15th to 18th centuries, along with German paintings spanning the 15th to early 19th centuries, featuring significant pieces by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Its extensive graphic collection includes drawings and prints from the 14th century to modern times.
About 16 km (10 miles) east of central Dessau, the castles, parks, and architectural gems of the Gartenreich Dessau-Wörlitz, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, create a unique cultural landscape between the Elbe and Mulde rivers. Preserving the essence of the Enlightenment, this area allows visitors to experience its rich cultural and historical legacy. Built in the latter half of the 18th century, the Gartenreich is the birthplace of the landscape garden in Germany, as well as a key site for the emergence of Classicism and neo-Gothic architecture. The park itself is free and best accessed by car. Visitors can explore various sites, including the stunning Wörlitz Palace, the charming Luisium, and the intriguing Gartenhaus im Neuen Garten, each with its own unique architecture and historical significance. Opening hours and tours can vary by building, so it's best to consult the website for up-to-date information.
The Bauhaus isn't the only show in town. Professor Hugo Junkers, one of the most famous engineers-cum-inventors of the 20th century, was at the forefront of innovation in aircraft and industrial design until his inventions were expropriated by the Nazis in 1933. The star of the museum is a completely restored JU-52/3—the ubiquitous German passenger airplane transformed into military transport. The museum also houses a fascinating collection of industrial equipment, machinery, engines, and the original Junkers wind tunnel.
