Located directly on the Elbe Cycle Route, the Dresden Residential Castle is a world-class museum complex that concentrates Saxon history in an extraordinary way. As the former seat of the House of Wettin, the castle now unites several high-caliber museums of the Dresden State Art Collections under one roof, offering cyclists the opportunity to dive deep into European art and cultural history.
The centerpiece is the Green Vault, considered the richest treasury in Europe. While the Historic Green Vault presents magnificent exhibits freely in front of ornately decorated Baroque mirror walls, the New Green Vault focuses on a detailed view of individual masterpieces, such as the "Court of Delhi" or the "Dresden Green Diamond." This splendor is complemented by the Armoury in the Giant's Hall, which brings Renaissance knightly culture to life with an imposing display of tournament and ceremonial weapons. Another special highlight is the Turkish Chamber, which showcases one of the world's most significant collections of Ottoman art in a spectacular setting of tents and equestrian gear.
Beyond the treasure art, the Residential Castle offers insights into scientific and graphic disciplines. The Coin Cabinet guides visitors through the history of money from antiquity to the present, while the Collection of Prints, Drawings and Photographs presents high-quality paper art by masters such as Dürer or Picasso in rotating special exhibitions. Furthermore, the permanent exhibition "Worldview and Knowledge around 1600" bridges the gap to the universal education of the late Renaissance and shows the origins of the electoral collections.
For cyclists, a visit to the museum fits perfectly into the itinerary, as the castle is just a short detour from the banks of the Elbe. Spacious cloakrooms in the modern, covered Small Courtyard allow for the safe storage of bicycle helmets and day luggage in lockers. With the Residential Castle combination ticket, almost all museums can be explored flexibly; only the Historic Green Vault requires an advance booking. A climb up the Hausmannsturm tower rounds off the cultural experience, offering a panoramic view of the upcoming stages of the Elbe Cycle Route. The museum is open daily except Tuesdays and is one of the most culturally significant stops along the entire route.
