Att göra i Dessau - 14 tips till Bauhausstaden

What to do in Dessau, Germany? Dessau is best known for the Bauhaus (and we're not talking about the department store) and all its parks and Unesco heritage sites. Here are our top tips!

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Dessau

Dessau, or Dessau-Rosslau as the municipality is now known, is a slightly different kind of destination, including two important Unesco World Heritage Sites: 'Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom' and 'Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau'.

With "Bauhaus" means not the department store of the same name, but the design school and movement that developed in Germany starting in 1919, eventually leading to what we call 'funkis'. Dessau is home to no less than 300 Bauhaus buildings and three World Heritage sites.

Dessau is located in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt in eastern Germany. The city is about seven kilometres north of Leipzig.

What to do in Dessau?

What to see and do in Dessau? The city has a large focus on Bauhaus design, and there are also a number of beautiful gardens and castles that are part of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom. We've listed our top tips here.

1. check out the Bauhaus school

For starters, you should check out the Bauhaus School, which appears in almost every image of the Bauhaus and is a World Heritage Site. This is the centre of the design movement that led to today's modern architecture. We just looked at the building from the outside, and then walked along 'Bauhausstrasse' towards the city centre. It is also possible to buy tickets to see a bit more.

2. Check out the House of Masters

Another Unesco heritage site is the 'House of Masters'. These houses housed the founder of Bahau, Walter Gropius, and other architects and teachers such as Lyonel Feininger, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, László Moholy-Nagy, Oskar Schlemmer and Georg Muche and their families.

The semi-detached houses are identical in construction, but the residents put their own stamp on their own homes with different ideas on interior design and colour schemes. You can look at the buildings from the outside, or buy a ticket to see more. Isn't it fascinating that these houses, which feel so modern, were built in 1925-1926?

3. Check out the Dessau-Törten residential area

If you're interested in Bauhaus design, it's also worth checking out the Dessau-Törten neighbourhood. Start at the Konsum building, which was built in 1928. It now houses an exhibition on the development of the neighbourhood and provides information on various buildings worth seeing.

In this area is the third site in Dessau that is part of the UNESCO heritage "Bauhaus and its sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau". These are the apartment blocks with balconies that are part of the World Heritage Site, built as early as 1929-1930.

4. Visit the Bauhaus Museum

Haven't had enough of the Bauhaus yet? Then take the opportunity to visit the Bauhaus Museum, located in the centre of the city. The large exhibition, open Tuesday-Sunday, tells the story of the famous design school.

5. Hang out at the Kornhaus

It was in 1929 that the city of Dessau, together with a brewery, commissioned the construction of the Kornhaus restaurant. Carl Figer, who worked in the office of Walter Gropius, was given the honour of designing the building. Still today, this special round building stands right next to the river Elbe, and serves as a popular restaurant, where various parties are also organised.

The restaurant is located near the "Seesportverein Dessau" car park and we walked here one evening. We didn't end up at the restaurant, but by chance we started talking to the organisers of an outdoor cinema, and suddenly we were sitting with a beer and watching a German film. Cool in the evening, but good atmosphere!

6. See the Residence Castle - with museum of urban history

The Residence Palace in Dessau (Residenzschloss Dessau) was once a princely palace that served as the residence of the princes and later the dukes of Anhalt. Originally a mighty Renaissance building with four wings, today only a single wing (Johannbau) remains. It is now home to the city's city history museum.

7. Take a walk in Georgium Park

The Georgium is a princely palace and park, part of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom World Heritage Site, located in the centre of Dessau. The palace was built for Johann Georg von Anhalt-Dessau, younger brother of Leopold III, Duke of Anhalt-Dessau, who commissioned the Wörlitz Park. It's a great place to walk, and in true English park spirit, one surprise after another appears in the form of monuments and statues.

8. Strolling in the park Luisium

Another park in Dessau, which is also part of the World Heritage Site, is the Luisium Park with its palace. It was in 1774 that the Duke of Anhalt-Dessau started building a palace for his wife Margravine Louise of Brandenburg-Schwedt. This is also a great place to walk, and the park is full of monuments, statues and caves.

9. Visit the Hugo Junker Technology Museum

A completely different thing to do in Dessau is to visit the Hugo Junker Technology Museum. Born in 1859, Hugo Junker was an engineer and entrepreneur with close ties to Dessau. In the museum you can learn a lot about the aviation industry and outside the museum you will also find some interesting artefacts such as aircraft and the remains of a wind tunnel.

10. Take a guided tour of Mosigkau Castle

Just outside the centre of Dessau you will find Mosigkau Castle, which together with the park is a UNESCO heritage site. This rococo castle was built between 1752 and 1757 as a summer residence for Prince Leopold I's daughter Anna Wilhelmine.

If you want to see the inside of the castle, you have to join a guided tour, which we chose to do. The guide was in German, but we got a booklet in English and at least got to see all the beautiful rooms.

11. Be fascinated by Oranienbaum Castle and Castle Park

Another castle outside Dessau, which of course is also a World Heritage Site along with its castle park, is Oranienbaum Castle. This beautiful castle is older than many others in the area, having been built at the end of the 17th century.

The client was the wealthy Henriette Catharina of Orange-Nassau (1637-1708), who came from Holland and married Prince Johann Georg II of Anhalt-Dessau (1627-1693). The castle was initially planned as a summer residence, but after the prince's death, Henriette Catharina moved here permanently.

The castle has worn out over time and constant renovations are ongoing, both inside and out. We chose to book a guided tour, and as usual we were informed that the tour would be in German, but that we could get a booklet in English.

When it turned out that we were the only participants on the tour, the poor guide, who only knew very little English, was slightly shocked. We tried to convince him that it was okay that he was just showing us around, but once he had absorbed the shock, he did his absolute best to tell us the most important things in a mixture of German, English and sign language.

Some rooms are very worn, while others, such as the tapestry room and the tile cellar, show the splendour and luxury that once existed here. It was a really interesting and enjoyable tour!

You won't want to miss the castle park, which is both beautiful and unusual. It was Prince Franz who transformed it into an Anglo-Chinese garden - the only one of its kind left in Germany today. Here you'll find a restored Chinese tea house and a tall pagoda.

Finally, if you wish, you can check out the castle's oblong orangery, built in 1812, where citrus fruits are still grown today.

12. Enjoy the Wörlitzer Park.

Wörlitzer Park is the largest park in the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom and an integral part of the World Heritage Site. The park was founded in the second half of the 18th century, under the rule of Leopold III Friedrich Franz.

The centre of the park is Lake Wörlitz, and the park is filled with charming bridges, monuments and caves. There is also a wide range of interesting sights such as the Gothic House, the Pantheon, Wörlitz Castle and Stein Island with Villa Hamilton and an artificial 'volcano'.

READ MORE: Wörlitzer Park - Dessau-Wörlitz garden centre

13. Discover more places within the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom.

In addition to all the places we've already mentioned that are part of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom, there are a few more:

Grosskühnau castle and park
Stieglitz Mountain park

14. Cycling along the Elberadweg

The Elberadweg (Elbe cycle path) is a popular and varied cycle path that runs through much of Germany, divided into different routes. The route starts in the Czech Republic and passes through Dessau on its way.

More things to do in Dessau for culture and history lovers

Want to experience even more in this interesting city? Here you will find more suggestions for things to do in Dessau and the surrounding area for those interested in culture and history.

Anhalt Theatre shows drama, opera, musicals, concerts and more. (Friedenspl. 1A)
Walter Gropius' Labour Office is a building by Walter Gropius, who in 1927 won a competition for the construction of an employment agency (August-Bebel-Platz 16).
Natural History and Prehistory Museum (Museum für Naturkunde und Vorgeschichte) is located in the city centre (Askanische Str. 32).

More things to do in Dessau for those travelling with children

Travelling with children or teenagers? Then you'll find some more tips for things to do in Dessau here.

Biosphere reserve Middle Elbe is a protected natural area that runs along the river Elbe.
Dessau Zoo (Tierpark Dessau) is a zoo located in the centre of town, next to Park Georgium (Querallee 8).
Sugar Tower Climbing Centre is a climbing hall with 20 metre high walls. (Brauereistrasse 1-2)

Where can you live or stay with your campervan?

There are of course many different hotels and other accommodation options in Dessau to choose from. We visited Dessau by motorhome and had the opportunity to try two sites. First we stood on Seesportverein Dessau, which is beautifully located on the Elbe. This is a small, personal and cosy site with all the services you need. The site is also well located for visiting the city.

The last night, before leaving Dessau, we parked at the car park at the Hugo Junkers Airfield. This place is a bit further from town and is not as cosy, but perfect if you just want to stay and sleep for a night, while having the opportunity to fill and empty your tanks.

The price is low and you have access to all the services you need. Aren't the aeroplanes noisy? No, only the occasional small Cessna takes off or lands here.

More things to see and do around Dessau

There is of course more to see and do in the neighbourhood of Dessau. For example, you can visit Wittenberg, where you can learn more about the history of Martin Luther. Other interesting and beautiful places in the neighbourhood include Magdeburg, Quedlinburg and Thale in the Harz.

READ MORE: Things to do in Wittenberg - 11 tips for the Lutheran town
READ MORE: Things to do in Magdeburg - 12 tips for the Ottostadt in Germany
READ MORE: What to do in Quedlinburg - 12 tips for a cute half-timbered town
READ MORE: Thale in the Harz - among witches and devil walls

Even more to see and do in Dessau?

Have you been to Dessau? Tell us about your experience and your relationship with the city! Do you have any other tips for things to see and do in Dessau?

Facts about Dessau

Country: Germany
Federal Republic of Germany: Saxony-Anhalt
Name: The full name of the municipality is Dessau-Rosslau (Dessau-Roßlau).
Residents: More than 81 000 (2019)
Read more: You can find more information at the city's tourist office.

Travelling to Dessau

Flight: For example, you can fly to Leipzig/Halle. From here you can continue by train or car hire.
Car: You can take a ferry, for example Nynäshamn - Rostock or Ystad - Sassnitz. From Sassnitz to Dessau it takes about 4.5 hours to drive.

READ MORE: What to do in Saxony-Anhalt - 9 wonderful experiences

5 Comments

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BP says:

What gems there are in the former GDR. I know I said it before, but it bears repeating. Love the Bauhaus style after our visit to Tel Aviv where there are so many houses in that style. Would never have associated Bauhaus with the GDR. So much you learn...

24 July 2022 - 20:01

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Really agree, the eastern part of Germany has a lot to offer! Glad you saw the Bauhaus houses in Tel Aviv, I understand there are quite a few there. But Dessau is really the heart of the Bauhaus. I wasn't aware of this at all before, it was only a year or so ago, when we listened to a lecture on the Bauhaus, that we realised this.
  
  25 July 2022 - 15:05
  
Anette Åhnbrink says:

There we ended up one year on the way south due to umleitung 😬and we also stood down by the Elbe! Unfortunately, it rained a lot when we arrived, but we had to cycle around early the next day, because there was so much to see! Have not managed to get there again, but after seeing all your nice pictures, it will probably be a turn there at some point!

25 July 2022 - 14:33

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad that you ended up here, for whatever reason then .... 😉 Surely it was nice down there by the Elbe!? 🙂
  
  25 July 2022 - 15:06
  
Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

I have visited the Bauhaus and gone on a guided tour there and seen some of the city, but don't remember all the places, vaguely recognise some parts, but not all. Nice to see and see again.

27 July 2022 - 13:41

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Wörlitzer Park in Germany - Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom | FREEDOMtravel

Things to do in Dessau - 14 tips for the Bauhaus city

Dessau

What to do in Dessau?

1. check out the Bauhaus school

2. Check out the House of Masters

3. Check out the Dessau-Törten residential area

4. Visit the Bauhaus Museum

5. Hang out at the Kornhaus

6. See the Residence Castle - with museum of urban history

7. Take a walk in Georgium Park

8. Strolling in the park Luisium

9. Visit the Hugo Junker Technology Museum

10. Take a guided tour of Mosigkau Castle

11. Be fascinated by Oranienbaum Castle and Castle Park

12. Enjoy the Wörlitzer Park.

13. Discover more places within the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom.

14. Cycling along the Elberadweg

More things to do in Dessau for culture and history lovers

More things to do in Dessau for those travelling with children

Where can you live or stay with your campervan?

More things to see and do around Dessau

Even more to see and do in Dessau?

Facts about Dessau

Travelling to Dessau

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5 Comments

BP says:

Helena says:

Anette Åhnbrink says:

Helena says:

Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

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