Bauhaus🏛 museum
Famous art school and building, UNESCO World Heritage, shaped modern architecture.
🌐 bauhaus-dessau.de🕒 Mo-Su 10:00-18:00
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Bauhaus Dessau
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Landmark
The Bauhaus Dessau in Saxony-Anhalt is regarded as one of the most influential schools of architecture, design, and art of the 20th century. Following the institution's relocation from Weimar in 1925, the iconic Bauhaus building designed by Walter Gropius was completed in 1926 and serves as a definitive example of international modernism. The structure's functionalist design, characterized by glass curtain walls and an asymmetrical layout, revolutionized architectural thinking by prioritizing utility over ornamentation. Dessau was the creative hub for masters such as Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee, who resided in the nearby Masters' Houses while developing their theories on form and color. Despite its forced closure by the National Socialist regime in 1932, the Bauhaus's pedagogical approach and aesthetic principles achieved global reach. Today, the building complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site, housing a foundation that preserves its legacy and explores contemporary design challenges.
- Location: Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
- Top sights: Bauhaus · Anhaltische Gemäldegalerie · Schloss Georgium
- Nearby: Aken (Elbe) (12 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 51 | 34 | 39 | 30 | 57 | 52 | 77 | 58 | 51 | 46 | 48 | 48 |
📋 Practical info
Address
Gropiusallee 38, 06846 Dessau-Roßlau
Hours
Daily 10:00-17:00
Entry
Bauhaus building €9, combined ticket with museum €15
Website
Transit
From Dessau main station approx. 10 min. walk or bus line 10.
Parking
Paid parking available in the immediate vicinity.
Accessibility
Limited accessibility due to historic building structure, elevator available.
Photos
Private use allowed, a small fee is often charged for professional cameras.
Best time
At noon when light falls directly through the glass curtain facade.
Audio guide
Smartphone app (German/English) available
Geography
Facts
- 1925: Relocation of the Bauhaus from Weimar to Dessau due to political pressure.
- 1926: Opening of the school building designed by Walter Gropius.
- 1932: Closure of the institution by the National Socialist-led city council.
- 1996: Inscription of the Bauhaus building onto the UNESCO World Heritage list.
- Masters' Houses: Residential complex for Bauhaus teachers like Kandinsky and Klee.
- Functionalism: The principle of 'form follows function' was radically applied here.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Bauhaus Dessau (10)
BAUART
Gallery for contemporary art and architecture in Dessau.
Sieben Säulen
Ruins of seven columns, likely part of a historic structure.
Anhaltisches Theater
Theatre hosting opera, plays, and ballet in a historic building.
Ionischer Tempel
Small antique-style temple in the park, an 18th-century garden building.
Direktorenhaus Gropius🏛 museum
Residence of first Bauhaus director Walter Gropius, now a museum.
Alter Räucherturm
Historic tower, formerly part of a smokehouse, offering a view.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Why is Bauhaus Dessau so famous?
It was the most important site of the Bauhaus art school and is an icon of modernism.
Who designed the building?
The first Bauhaus director, Walter Gropius, designed the building, which was inaugurated in 1926.
Is the Bauhaus a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes, the Bauhaus building and the Masters' Houses in Dessau have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
What are the Masters' Houses?
These are residential houses that Gropius designed for the Bauhaus teachers (masters) such as Klee or Kandinsky.
Can the buildings be visited?
Yes, both the Bauhaus building and the Masters' Houses can be visited, often as part of guided tours.
Bauhaus Dessau: where is it located?
Bauhaus Dessau is located in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
Bauhaus Dessau: what is there to see?
Highlights include Bauhaus, Anhaltische Gemäldegalerie, Schloss Georgium.
Bauhaus Dessau: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Bauhaus Dessau: why is it worth visiting?
The Bauhaus Dessau in Saxony-Anhalt is regarded as one of the most influential schools of architecture, design, and art of the 20th century.
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