Kunstsammlung Gera - Orangerie

About the museum

The orangery in the Gera kitchen garden was built between 1729 and 1732 for Count Heinrich XVIII of Reuss-Gera, to plans by Gottfried Heinrich Krohne, as a late baroque two-wing building; the central pavilion with a festival hall was added in 1748/49. After the Reuss-Gera line ended, the building served various purposes in the 19th century; at times the Gera Art Association was based there. In World War II, mainly the south wing was damaged by bombs.

After 1947 the orangery was used as a museum until 1972, when it became the permanent home of the Gera Art Collection. The collection comprises paintings, graphics, drawings and sculpture from the Middle Ages to the present, including works by Old Masters, as well as the collection "Handzeichnungen der DDR." The building was comprehensively renovated before the 2007 Federal Garden Show.

Since October 2024, the north and south wings have shown the permanent exhibition "Otto Dix – Trau Deinen Augen" on the painter born in Gera: around 50 paintings as well as watercolors and drawings from all phases of his career, supplemented by media stations and a multimedia installation. The central building remains reserved for changing presentations. The nearby Otto Dix House, the artist's birthplace, is a second house belonging to the art collection.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition "Otto Dix – Trau Deinen Augen" with around 50 paintings
• Late baroque orangery from 1729–1732 in the kitchen garden
• Immersive multimedia installation on Dix's Superrealism
• Collection of paintings, graphics and sculpture from the Middle Ages to today
• Combined ticket with the Otto Dix House

Permanent exhibition

• Otto Dix – Trau Deinen Augen – Retrospective of the Gera-born painter Otto Dix with around 50 paintings as well as watercolors and drawings from all phases of his career, supplemented by media stations and a multimedia installation.

Founded

1972

Operated by

Stadt Gera (Kunstsammlung Gera)

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for holders of the Gera Social Card, school classes during lessons, and other groups as specified by the visitor service. Prices may differ for special exhibitions and events.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The north and south wings are reachable via mobile ramps; please call ahead or ring the bell on the metal column in front of the gateway. Accessible parking spaces at the "Hofwiesenpark" car park. The tram stops have tactile guidance systems.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

The art collection offers programs for preschool children and for children from age 6, as well as the creative area "studiodix" for hands-on activities; children's birthday parties are possible as a registered event. The Dix exhibition contains interactive media stations. Children and young people up to 18 enter free.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit