Europe’s largest treasure collection, the Green Vault, is named after the malachite-green paint used to decorate some of its rooms. Organised into nine rooms, each displays a range of treasures from crown jewels, diamonds, carved crystals and ivory and figurines made from gold.

This museum has survived through multiple wars and, in recent years, even a major robbery. Having undergone a complete restoration, the collection is now displayed in two sections: the Historic Green Vault which displays the treasures in its original style, and the New Green Vault, which displays the treasures in neutral-coloured rooms, bringing focus to each individual object.

The Green Vault was founded in 1723 by Augustus the Strong of Poland and Saxony - a Gesamtkunstwerk (synthesis of the arts) as a way to display his power and wealth. While during the 18th century it was only open to a select audience, the Green Vault is now one of the oldest museums in the world. The museum’s treasure was evacuated from Dresden during WWII and hidden far outside the city - however was eventually looted and taken to Russia and Ukraine. Only in 2005 were these treasures returned, and after great restoration efforts the museum was opened to the public. In 2019 the Green Vault suffered a major heist, with many jewellery pieces stolen with an estimated value of 113 million euros. Beyond its material value, this was a significant blow to the history and culture of the Saxon people. In 2022 the majority of treasure was returned to the collection and displayed again, however now with greater security measures, such as the prohibition of taking photographs.

The collection is organised in nine rooms:

• Entrance chamber: a collection of Schatzkunst (artworks using precious materials) from the Middle Ages to the early Renaissance.
• The Amber Cabinet: containing amber artefacts
• Ivory room: contains carved ivory works
• Silver room: displaying fine silver works
• Silver gilt room: gilded silver and gold drinking vessels
• Hall of Treasures: the largest room, containing vessels made of precious gems and amber, mussel shells and ostrich eggs.
• Coats of arms rooms: copper and gilded coats of arms of Saxon provinces and the Polish state
• Jewel Chamber: crown jewels of the Saxon-Polish royalty
• Bronze room: room of renaissance bronze

Opening hours

Open daily 10:00 - 18:00

Closed on Tuesday