Museum für Stadtgeschichte Dessau

The Museum für Stadtgeschichte Dessau, located in the heart of the city, resides within the Johannbau, a significant Renaissance-era structure and the sole surviving part of the Dessau Residenzschloss. Since August 2005, the museum has presented a comprehensive overview of Dessau's 800-year history and its surrounding region. The museum's permanent exhibition, titled "Schauplatz vernünftiger Menschen – Kultur und Geschichte in Anhalt│Dessau" ("A theatre of reasonable people – culture and history in Anhalt | Dessau"), highlights the contributions of individuals and institutions that extended their influence far beyond Anhalt. The displays trace Dessau's development from its 12th-century origins to its time as a market town with a Rathaus and Schloss. Key themes include the Old Dessauer, the reform efforts of Prince Leopold III Friedrich Franz (known for creating the Wörlitz landscape park), the Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, the Junkers aircraft works, and the Bauhaus school, which revolutionized modern architecture and design. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing urban life, including aspects of dwelling, economy, labor, society, and culture. The museum also features items from the Anhalt-Dessau princely and ducal collections. Special exhibitions and events further enrich the museum's offerings. The Johannbau is designed to be accessible to all visitors, including those using wheelchairs.