Lapidarium Dresden

About the museum

After the war, fragments of Dresden's destroyed city center were recovered and stored in various places, for example in the Palais im Großen Garten, under the Brühlsche Terrasse and in the Schloss. When reconstruction of the Residenzschloss began in 1985, a permanent storage site was sought, and it was found in the ruin of the Zionskirche in the Südvorstadt.

The church, completed in 1912, was considered one of the most modern church buildings in Germany in its day. It was destroyed in 1945, and after the congregation moved in 1982, the site passed to the city. Between 1994 and 1996 the ruin was secured, cleared of rubble and given a roof to protect the church and the finds from the weather.

Today architectural parts, sculptures and monuments, including more recent ones, are stored here. They are being archived and documented scientifically. Some serve as models for reconstructions, for example at the Neumarkt. The lapidarium was first opened to the public on the Day of Open Monuments in 2005, when an exhibition on the history of the Zionskirche and the work of the lapidarium was also created.

Currently, due to staffing, care is limited to the essentials, and visits and guided tours are not possible until further notice.

Highlights

• Former Zionskirche (1912)
• Salvaged building parts of the destroyed city center
• Monuments from the GDR era
• Exhibition on church history

Permanent exhibition

• Geschichte der Zionskirche und Arbeit des Lapidariums – The exhibition in the church space tells the story of the church as a house of worship and shows salvaged pieces; it is currently not accessible.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Landeshauptstadt Dresden, Amt für Kultur und Denkmalschutz

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Guided tours have so far been free of charge.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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