Dresden Royal Palace Residenzschloss Entry Ticket

The Royal Palace: seat of the Saxon rulers

The Residenzschloss was the residence of the Wettin rulers of Saxony from the fifteenth century until 1918. It grew from a medieval castle into a Renaissance palace, and later Augustus the Strong had rooms rebuilt in the baroque style. Its courtyard walls are decorated with sgraffito, a plaster technique that gives the facade its patterned look.

The palace was destroyed in February 1945 and stood as a ruin for decades. Its careful reconstruction, begun in the 1980s and continued for decades, means that a visit today is also a lesson in how Dresden rebuilt its past. On the outer wall facing the Stallhof you can see the Procession of Princes.

The New Green Vault and the Turkish Chamber

The New Green Vault is the treasure room most visitors want to see. It shows more than a thousand precious objects in ivory, gold, silver, amber and precious stones, gathered by Saxon rulers, and it is shown in bright, modern galleries. The Turkish Chamber holds one of the largest collections of Ottoman court art outside Turkey, including tents, saddles, weapons and ceremonial costume.

The Historic Green Vault, the famous baroque treasury with its mirrored walls, is separate and needs its own timed ticket. Do not confuse the two when you search for Dresden Green Vault tickets; this ticket covers the New Green Vault only.

State apartments, Renaissance wing, armoury and tower

The Royal State Apartments of Augustus the Strong show gilded ceilings, lavish furniture and paintings, and give you a feel for court life. The Renaissance wing displays the building's earlier history, and the armoury holds parade armour, weapons and ceremonial gear from the electors' collections.

In the summer months you can also climb the Hausmannsturm, the palace's tall tower, with 327 steps to the top and one of the best viewpoints over the Old Town. The tower is open only in season, and the climb is not suitable for those with mobility problems.

Opening hours, tickets and how to get to the Royal Palace

Opening hours at the Royal Palace change by museum and by season, and most sections close one day a week, so check the current hours for your date before you book. The ticket is valid for one day and lets you enter as many of the included rooms as you have time for; plan about two hours for a good visit.

To get to the Residenzschloss, walk from the Frauenkirche or the Semperoper in about ten minutes; it stands on Schlossplatz, beside the Catholic Court Church and close to the Augustus Bridge. The best time to visit is in the morning, before the tour groups arrive.