Top 19 things to do and attractions in Dessau

I love this place. This place answered me plenty of questions about the why, the where, the what, the who and the when. It is great to learn about the motivations, learn about the who were these people, to learn about the where and when have the gone after Dessau. I have spent two days and three guided tours and I will for sure come again.

Have you ever ask you one of these questions: How architecture influences our live experiences? Who are these greatest modern minds in arts? Why could it happen? You will find a lot of answers here in Dessau Meisterhäuser. Some promises, you will even find answers on questions you haven’t asked before to come to this place.

Imagine sitting in the same place of the haus Masters (Gropius Klee kandiniski Mucha Schlemmer Mies Von der Rohe) I went there yesterday, about 4:30, I didn’t have a reservation but I was trying my luck, they gave me a river view table but told me I have to move at six because it’s reserved I had a very nice meal and a fantastic view and a very powerful Bauhaus vibe I searched for pictures for the masters of Bauhaus in this restaurent but I couldn’t find , While it's difficult to find a definitive list of every single Bauhaus master who visited the Kornhaus Restaurant, the history and context of the building make it highly likely that many, if not all, of the masters who were active in Dessau would have gone there. Here's why: * Designed by a Bauhausler: The architect, Carl Fieger, was himself a prominent figure at the Bauhaus. His personal connection to the school and his work as a draftsman for Walter Gropius ensured a close relationship between the restaurant and the Bauhaus community. * A Symbol of Modernism: The Kornhaus was a public building that perfectly embodied the "New Building" style that the Bauhaus championed. It would have been a point of pride and interest for the architects, designers, and artists of the school, much like the main Bauhaus building and the Masters' Houses. * A Social Hub: As a popular and modern excursion restaurant situated in a scenic location on the Elbe River, the Kornhaus would have been a natural gathering place. The Bauhaus masters and their families lived and worked in Dessau, and a new, beautifully designed restaurant would have been a prime location for social outings, dinners, and events. * Collaborative Project: The fact that the interior was a collaborative effort, with lamps designed by Marianne Brandt and the color scheme handled by the Bauhaus wall painting workshop, shows that the school's artists and designers were directly involved in the project. This would have given them a vested interest in visiting and showing off their work. In short, while there may not be specific photographic evidence of, say, Wassily Kandinsky or Paul Klee dining there on a particular date, the Kornhaus was a significant project and a social landmark in Dessau during the Bauhaus's most productive years. It is almost certain that the masters, who were deeply engaged in shaping the city's modern identity, would have frequented it.

This museum is a must see for all Bauhaus enthusiasts! I wasn’t aware about the broad spectrum of the artists. It is not only about modern architecture. You may ask what else have they developed in the times of the ‘Weimarer Republic’ in Dessau and until the 1933? I love the place because it shows you the development of simplified furniture, various fonts, stylish lamps, wall papers, colorful pattern and more. Everything what almost every one of us uses in our daily life. Don’t forget to combine your visits with guided tours in the ‘Meisterhäuser’ and the ‘Bauhaus’ university.

Siedlung Törten My visit to the Siedlung Törten housing estate in Dessau was a powerful conclusion to the Bauhaus story. After seeing the artistic hub of the main building and the experimental single-family home of Haus am Horn, Törten demonstrates the ultimate goal of the movement: to use modern technology and design to solve real-world problems. This settlement, a direct vision of Walter Gropius, is a masterpiece of social architecture that aimed to provide affordable, well-designed homes for the working class. What makes Törten so remarkable is its pioneering use of prefabrication and standardization. Gropius and his team developed a system of mass-producing components, like window frames and door units, allowing the houses to be built with an efficiency and speed that was revolutionary for the late 1920s. Walking through the neighborhood, you can see how this modular approach created a cohesive and harmonious community. Each house, while part of a larger whole, retains a functional beauty. The designs are simple, clean, and entirely focused on providing comfortable, livable spaces. The Siedlung Törten is more than just a collection of buildings; it's a testament to the social conscience of the Bauhaus. The houses were not just boxes to be lived in, but were designed with a sense of community and dignity. Seeing these homes today, still standing and still inhabited, is an incredibly moving experience. It’s a physical manifestation of a belief that good design should be accessible to everyone, not just an elite few. It beautifully proves that the radical theories of the Bauhaus were not just academic ideals, but a practical, enduring blueprint for a better world.

An interesting building with its history, the museum inside.

(Translated by Google) The Dessau Mausoleum, formerly the burial place of the Dukes of Anhalt, was built between 1894 and 1898 near Georgium Park at the request of Frederick I of Anhalt. The architect Franz Heinrich Schwechten and the master builder Teubner were commissioned by the High Renaissance architects. August Hooff designed the surrounding park between 1894 and 1896. A listed historical monument, it is the last domed building in Dessau since the bombings of World War II. Until 1958, the mausoleum's crypt housed the burial places of members of the Dukes of Anhalt. That year, for political reasons, the GDR authorities secretly removed the coffins, and the remains were placed in a mass grave in the Ziebigk Cemetery. In November 2019, following discussions between the state of Saxony-Anhalt, the city of Dessau, and the House of Anhalt, they were buried in a ceremony in the central crypt of the former city church and palace. During the GDR era, the mausoleum served as a warehouse for the fruit and vegetable trade and for the Vaccine Institute. In the 1970s, it also temporarily served as a summer kiosk for the zoo. In the 1980s, the mausoleum underwent several renovations, but its deterioration did not prevent it from falling into disrepair. After the restoration of the dome and roof in 1986, further work followed between 1990 and 1993, and again in 1999 to prevent water infiltration. Despite these interventions, a complete renovation, estimated at five million euros, is still necessary. In 2007, an association was created to fund and develop the building's use. It organizes tours and events open to the public. The mausoleum is also used as a venue for film screenings, theater performances, and orchestral concerts during the summer. Since 2017, the renovation work has been supported by a youth construction workshop. (Original) Le mausolée de Dessau, ancien lieu de sépulture des ducs d’Anhalt a été construit entre 1894 et 1898 près du parc Georgium à la demande de Frédéric Ier d'Anhalt, par L’architecte Franz Heinrich Schwechten et le maître d'œuvre Teubner dans le style de la Haute Renaissance, tandis qu’August Hooff a conçu le parc environnant entre 1894 et 1896. classé monument historique, il est le dernier édifice à coupole de Dessau depuis les bombardements de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Jusqu'en 1958, la crypte du mausolée abritait la sépulture des membres de la famille ducale d'Anhalt. Cette année-là pour des raisons politiques, les autorités de la RDA décidèrent lors d'une opération secrète, de retirer les cercueils et les restes furent placés dans une fosse commune au cimetière de Ziebigk. En novembre 2019, après des de discussions entre le Land de Saxe-Anhalt, la ville de Dessau et la Maison d'Anhalt ils furent inhumés lors d'une cérémonie dans la crypte centrale de l'ancienne église de la ville et du palais. À l'époque de la RDA, le mausolée servait d'entrepôt pour le commerce de fruits et légumes et pour l'Institut des vaccins. Dans les années 1970, il servit également temporairement de kiosque d'été pour le zoo. Dans les années 1980, plusieurs rénovations du mausolée ont eu lieu sans empêcher sa dégradation. Après la restauration de la coupole et de la toiture en 1986, d’autres travaux ont suivi entre 1990 et 1993, puis en 1999 contre les infiltrations d’eau. Malgré ces interventions, une rénovation totale, estimée à cinq millions d’euros, reste nécessaire. En 2007, une association a été créée pour assurer le financement et le développement de l'utilisation du bâtiment. Elle organise des visites et des événements ouverts au public. Le mausolée est également utilisé comme lieu pour des projections de films, des représentations théâtrales et des concerts orchestraux durant la période estivale. Depuis 2017, les travaux de rénovation bénéficient du soutien d'un atelier de construction destiné aux jeunes.

It is a small museum, but it has some very interesting artifacts. I loved the fact that you can get inside the Ju-52, and examine the F13 and J1 closely. A small gift shop is also available. Outside, a small collection of soviet jets, that can also be closely studied. Friendly staff.

A beautiful park where you can walk and relax. It’s better to do in the evening because there are few people there, just nature, birds and horses.

An amazing Zoo and park with a playground for children. Municipal zoo with about 500 animals belonging to 120 species. You can see wolves, foxes, roe deer, deer and domestic animals. The rest of the continents are mainly represented by kangaroos, antelopes, ostriches and zebras.

Very cosy little palace with calm garden and nice tour. Just right if you want sth relaxed

Cool place, specially the rooftop.. You can seat on the stools and breathe peacefully. Even you can see almost full dessau in front of your eyes.. A pure 360° view. Climbing up 8 storied building will not disappoint you. Loved the place and the environment too.

(Translated by Google) It's a beautiful place with spectacular views. Ideal for a short break. (Original) Es ist ein wunderschöner Ort mit einer spektakulären Aussicht. Ideal für einen Kurzurlaub.