Japanese Palace, Dresden

The Japanese Palace is one of Dresden’s most intriguing Baroque buildings, standing on the banks of the River Elbe at the northern end of King Street. Augustus the Strong acquired the palace in 1717 to house his enormous collection of Asian porcelain. He dreamed of transforming the building into a spectacular porcelain palace, with its walls, ceilings, and even roof decorated with porcelain.

Architects Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann, Jean de Bodt, Zacharias Longuelune, and Johann Christoph Knöffel were entrusted with redesigning the palace. Although Augustus’s ambitious vision was never fully realised, several features reflect his original plans, including the distinctive curved Japanese-style roof, the relief above the main portal, and the Chinese-style decorations in the inner courtyard. The interior also features sculptures in the fashionable Chinoiserie style.

Interestingly, Augustus’s porcelain collection was never housed here as originally intended. Instead, the palace later served as an electoral library and a museum of sculpture. The building was completely destroyed in 1945 and restored in 1987.

Today, the Japanese Palace houses two museums: the Ethnological Museum and the Senckenberg Natural History Collections. Their permanent collections and temporary exhibitions cover subjects ranging from archaeology and natural history to cultures from around the world.

For tourists, the palace offers the unusual opportunity to explore two distinct museums under one roof. Even without entering, its Baroque architecture, decorative details, riverside setting, and connection with Augustus the Strong’s passion for porcelain make it a rewarding stop in Dresden’s New Town.