The Grünes Gewölbe is where Augustus the Strong showed off. In the early eighteenth century he turned a set of vaulted rooms in his palace into a treasure chamber designed to dazzle visitors, and it still does. The Historic Green Vault on the ground floor presents around three thousand precious objects as he intended, without glass cases, on gilded consoles in front of mirrored walls: amber cabinets, ivory carvings, bronzes, jewelled vessels and the famous cherry stone carved with dozens of tiny faces. Entry is by timed ticket and numbers are kept low for conservation. Upstairs, the New Green Vault displays more than a thousand objects in modern showcases, from the extraordinary miniature Court of Delhi on the Birthday of the Grand Mogul Aurangzeb to the coronation regalia of Augustus. The rest of the Residenzschloss holds more collections, including the Turkish Chamber and the armoury, plus the restored state apartments. The Historic Green Vault made headlines with a jewel theft in 2019, and most of the stolen pieces have since been recovered. This page links to a Tiqets guided tour of the castle and the New Green Vault.
How to visit: the Residenzschloss is closed on Tuesdays and generally open from 10:00 to 17:00 on other days, with longer hours on some evenings. Historic Green Vault tickets are timed and limited, so book a slot online with the State Art Collections well ahead in Advent and on weekends. The Tiqets product linked here is a two-and-a-half-hour guided tour by Erlebnistouren Dresden, starting at 13:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Georgenbrunnen in the small castle courtyard. It covers the New Green Vault with more than a thousand treasures, the coronation robe of Augustus the Strong and the small ballroom, parade rooms and throne room, with a German-speaking guide, some English information and an English audio guide.
What to expect: the New Green Vault is bright and modern, with each object lit like a jewel, while the Historic Green Vault is a sequence of ever more opulent rooms that peaks in the Jewel Room. Security is tight, with bags and coats left in lockers. From April to October the tour ticket also includes a climb of the Hausmannsturm, 327 steps with no lift, for views over the Elbe; in winter the tower is not part of it.
Making the most of it: if you want both vaults, take the tour for the New Green Vault and add a separate timed ticket for the Historic Green Vault. TimeRide Dresden, a virtual reality ride into the Baroque city, is right next door on the Taschenberg.
What to expect
The experience
A guided castle tour through the New Green Vault and state rooms, with the Historic Green Vault sold separately on timed tickets.
Best time
Right at opening for the Historic Green Vault, and a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday afternoon for the guided tour; the castle is closed on Tuesdays.
How long
Two and a half hours for the tour, plus about an hour for the Historic Green Vault.
Tips
Book the Historic Green Vault time slot early, travel light because bags go in lockers, and remember the tower climb only runs from April to October.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Lovers of decorative art, jewellery and royal history; nothing else in Germany looks quite like it.
- Families
- Older children are fascinated by the tiny figures of the Court of Delhi and the carved cherry stone, but the rooms are crowded for buggies.
- Couples
- Combine the treasures with coffee and cake in the Old Town and an evening walk on Brühl’s Terrace.
- Pair with
- TimeRide Dresden next door and the Zwinger a few minutes away.
- Time needed
- Half a day for both vaults and the state rooms.
Good questions
What is the difference between the Historic and New Green Vault?+
The Historic Green Vault shows about three thousand objects in their original Baroque rooms without glass cases, on timed tickets. The New Green Vault upstairs presents more than a thousand pieces in modern showcases.
Do I need to book the Historic Green Vault in advance?+
Yes, advance booking of a timed ticket is recommended because visitor numbers are limited for conservation. Slots sell out on weekends and in Advent.
Is the Green Vault open on Tuesdays?+
No, the Residenzschloss and the Historic Green Vault are closed on Tuesdays. On other days they generally open from 10:00, with a late evening on Fridays.
What does the Tiqets castle tour include?+
It includes a two-and-a-half-hour guided tour of the castle and the New Green Vault, the coronation robe of Augustus the Strong and the state rooms, with an English audio guide. From April to October it adds a climb of the Hausmannsturm.
Were the stolen Green Vault jewels recovered?+
Most of the jewellery taken in the 2019 break-in has been recovered and returned to the museum. Some pieces remain missing.
