Grünes Gewölbe

Art museum · Dresden

Grünes Gewölbe

Art museum · Dresden

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Residenzschloss, Taschenberg 2, 01067 Dresden, Germany

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Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
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Grünes Gewölbe by null
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Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
Grünes Gewölbe by null
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Highlights

Europe's largest treasure collection: jewelry, art, curiosities  

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Residenzschloss, Taschenberg 2, 01067 Dresden, Germany Get directions

gruenes-gewoelbe.skd.museum
@skd.museum

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Residenzschloss, Taschenberg 2, 01067 Dresden, Germany Get directions

+49 351 49142000
gruenes-gewoelbe.skd.museum
@skd.museum
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@skdmuseum

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Nov 5, 2025

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@atlasobscura

The Best-Guarded Treasures in the World

"Europe and possibly the world’s largest collection of treasures, objects d’art, cabinets of curiosity, baroque contraptions, and generally royal weirdness is all held in Germany’s Grünes Gewölbe or Green Vault. Originally the private collection of Augustus the Strong, ruler of Saxony (modern day Dresden), the Green Vault has everything from ornate silverware with polished coral handles to nearly microscopic portrait reliefs of royalty carved in cherrywood or ivory (you have to look through a magnifying glass to see them). There are Venetian wind-up automatons that pour wine and various other ornate cabinets and contraptions. The collection even includes such contested items as the solid gold drinking bowl of Ivan the Terrible. The literal crown jewel of the Green Vault is the impossibly rare Dresden Green; a massive, naturally irradiated, green diamond from India. The diamond is on par with the Hope Diamond and the Mountain of Light in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. It is an internally flawless hunk of beautiful green carbon mounted in a hat clasp and no picture will do it justice. The moniker “Grünes Gewölbe” did not derive from the Dresden Green diamond however. The green in the the vault’s name came from malachite columns that had been painted green at the base and crown as well as green velvet wall coverings in some parts of the treasure rooms. In 1945 over 90% of Dresden was destroyed in a vicious fire bombing by the British RAF. During this attack the Dresdener Residenzschloss (Dresden Castle), which held much of the collection, was obliterated. Sadly many great works of art and treasure were lost in the fire bombing of Dresden and original “greens” of the Green Vault were lost with them. However in the early years of World War II a majority of the treasure in the Green Vault was moved to the Königstein Fortress and survived the destruction of the Dresden Castle. In the 1960’s reconstruction was started on Dresden Castle and as of 2013 the renovations have finally been completed. The new interior of the Green Vault produced two separate museums, the New Green Vault and the Historiches Grünes Gewölbe (Historic Green Vault), containing a staggering 4,000 items between them. However, the original green color for which it was named is only present in the magnificent diamond that highlights the end of the tour. The Green Vault itself is a real hidden gem of Europe and Eastern Germany." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/best-protected-treasure-vaults
View Postcard for Green Vault
@ricksteves

Dresden Travel Guide Resources & Trip Planning Info by Rick Steves

"▲▲  More Saxon treasures, but displayed in sleek modern spaces." - Rick Steves' Europe

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/germany/dresden
View Postcard for Grünes Gewölbe

Jen Santos

Google
We visited as part of a Viking tour group. Be aware that you will have to check your bag (even if it's small), and save your ticket for the restrooms. Lifts are available. We had no problems bringing in phones and taking pictures, and the staff were pleasant. I recommend a guide if possible if only because these pieces have a lot of history, from technique of manufacturing, provenance, and their survival throughout the war. The stories a guide can provide really make or break this experience, I think.

Tymoteusz M.

Google
Definitely one of the many must-see attractions in Dresden. Received unfortunately worldwide media attention because of the heist in 2019, of which the most valuable pieces are still missing. It’s recommended to buy tickets in advance, we waited 1h. Very impressive and valuable collection of different pieces.

Ярослав Сінєнок

Google
The museum itself is quite good — a very rich exhibition, definitely worth seeing. However, the overall impression was seriously spoiled by the staff. Already at the ticket counter, the employees were rude to visitors, and unfortunately, the same attitude continued inside the museum. It felt as if they were retired Stasi officers — the interaction was that cold and unpleasant. We've never experienced anything like this in any other museum.

Steven Cheng

Google
As magnificent as it can be! Right here we see the work of lifetime to an artist! It truly worth of nine euro of entry fee. No jacket and of any backpack allowed in the museum! You really need two to three hours to truly enjoy the detail of each and every piece of art! Also the history behind! If you visit Dresden, don’t miss this great collection!

Pasan Sensouk

Google
We booked two tickets in visit the green Vault with audio guide, it’s very interesting each every pieces of the treasures have story to listen to, and the all of them so beautiful, uniquely crafted handmade. Unfortunately, we aren’t allowed to take any pictures but to observe and appreciate the beauty is already sufficient. You can’t miss out this place in Dresden.

Lukasz Zbylut

Google
One of the most beautiful treasure rooms I've ever seen in my life. Well with the visit. A highlight of the city. I recommend people visit Dresden for this specific treasure vault. Excellent audio guide. Pictures but allowed inside.

Josh Machande

Google
There is so much to see here. We got overwhelmed and a bit lost after 3 hrs. From an American perspective, there is so much history that we just gloss over. I wish I had 2 days to try and see it all

Ricco Tomassini

Google
You need to be here and to see it by yourself in order to truly apprehend all the treasures being exhibited here. Haven’t seen anything like this even in London.
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Christine T.

Yelp
This is a timed entry, self-guided audiotour of the restored Green Vault rooms in Dresden that was very much worth a visit. The history of the Green Vault's post-war restoration is detailed in part of the tour and the items from a greater collection are on display in each room. Even with the overcast weather, this was a gorgeous way to spend half a day immersed in German history.
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Sam K.

Yelp
For those that want to visit the Grunes Gewolbe, you should know that there are time blocks at which the entrance is allowed into the museum. Once you miss that time block, you will have to wait until the next entry point, which could take upward of 1 hour. The reason I gave this 4 stars because one of the older front desk German lady is extremely rude. She tried to mischarge us just because we do not speak German. I think some attitude adjustment and re-training are in the books for her. Other than that, this place features prominent jewelry collections from the kings. I especially love the sections that featured emerald, ruby, and sapphire in a row. Security is highly strict in this place so you will have to check-in your backpack in advance. There are doors that are pressurized and checks you for any potential theft before you are allowed to proceed throughout the exhibit. There is also constant guard watching. Other than the tense mood, I still highly recommend this exhibit as it is one of the better and more awe-inspiring ones in Dresden! PS: Your ticket (12 euros) allows free access to the restroom in the museum facility. So use it well! The only unfortunate downside is that no photos are allowed in the exhibit.
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Joanna T.

Yelp
The Historic Green Vault bills itself as the "biggest, richest" treasure vault in Europe. You have to book ahead because visitors are limited and the place fills up with tour groups. I had really high expectations because I had been blown away by the treasury in the Munich Residenz. The reality? Mmmm....not so much. I was underwhelmed by the actively surly staff, general disorganization and the fact that this treasury isn't near as big as the one in Munich. There are only 10 rooms and most are filled with cups of semi precious stone, or bronze statues. There's only one jewel room and it is pretty awesome, but the rest....ehh....the ivory room, the bronze room, the amber room......it was ok. The audio guide sucked pretty hard too - most of it was about how the rooms were reconstructed vs. the actual items. Overall, a visit here was expensive for what you see - it took maybe 45 minutes and it just wasn't great.
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Janis W.

Yelp
I was traveling with my two college-aged children, and we were in Dresden on a Monday. Basically all museums are closed in Dresden on Monday, except for the historic Green Vault, so that made the decision which museum to visit easy. When we first arrived in Dresden we didn't know where to go - we easily found the opera hall and other landmarks, but we couldn't find the entrance to the Green Vault. We even asked other people on the street and no one knew! We finally stumbled on to the entrance and made our way in. We arrived around noon that day, and there was absolutely no one in line. We purchased our tickets at the desk and our time for entry was just a 10 minute wait. There is a small gallery that you can walk around and look if you want, or just have a seat on one of the benches inside. There is an audio guide which you should absolutely take with you. When it is your time, you go two by two through a set of doors, then you stand there in front of a second set of doors until the first are completely closed, then they open the second set. It was a little like some sci-fi movie so to be honest we did have a little giggle about it. Once inside you go from opulent room to opulent room - and the rooms generally have a theme. One room was filled with ivory pieces, others with crystal, etc. There are hundreds of items in each room; it is a bit overwhelming. The audio guide helps you to hone in on some of the more important pieces, but some of the explanations tended to be pretty long winded. My favorite was one of the final rooms with all the jewels - jeweled buttons, sword hilts,all sorts of things! Made you wish you could have seen some of these people "in the day" wearing all these items. To leave the exhibit you have to go through the airlock procedure again. This museum is a little pricey, and probably would not be interesting to younger teens or smaller. But we were glad to do it, and then were off to enjoy the rest of Dresden.
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Thomas C K.

Yelp
Historic Green Vault We visited the Historic Green Vault - do not purchase your tickets on-line because it does cost extra. There is no reason to not purchase directly at the site because there are no large number of people when we were there in September 2015. The exhibition content is out of this world and totally overwhelming. August the Strong clearly had an appetite for everything beautiful and valuable. However, the accompanying audio guide is close to useless as it either focuses in too great a detail on, to most people, useless and irrelevant information and at times the references are confusing. Rather than focussing on the major exhibits we learn about things we did not want to know about. Bottomline, a worthwhile exhibit to visit but it can get frustrating and overwhelming and it is difficult to appreciate each single piece of art because there is just too much.