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Palace · Dresden, Saxônia
Schloss Pillnitz
Summer residence of the Saxon monarchs on the banks of the Elbe, featuring palaces with Chinese-style decoration, gardens, a camellia over 200 years old and a museum of decorative arts.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Schloss Pillnitz
Schloss Pillnitz is the ensemble of summer palaces of the Saxon court on the banks of the Elbe at the eastern edge of Dresden. The oldest palaces, the Wasserpalais (riverside) and the Bergpalais (on the hillside), were built around 1720 for Augustus the Strong, based on designs by Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann. The curved roofs and paintings with oriental motifs reflect the period's chinoiserie fashion.
Between the two lies the Neues Palais, in a Neoclassical style from the early 19th century, which houses the Schlossmuseum. The river and hill palaces accommodate the Kunstgewerbemuseum (museum of decorative arts), with furniture and objects from the 13th to the 20th centuries.
The park, covering 28 hectares, includes a baroque garden, an English garden, a Chinese pavilion and tree-lined avenues. One attraction is a camellia planted on the site in 1801, one of the oldest in Europe, protected in winter by a movable greenhouse; it typically blooms from February to April. The Palmenhaus, a 19th-century greenhouse, is open year-round.
The staircase of the Wasserpalais descends to the Elbe, where the court arrived by boat from Dresden. In season, it's still possible to arrive by steamship, depending on the river level.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
2 to 3 hours for the park and one museum.
Best time
From spring to early autumn, when the gardens are in bloom; the camellia typically flowers from February to April. The Schlossmuseum generally opens from late March to early November.
How to get there
It is about 13 km from the city center. By public transport, take the tram to Kleinzschachwitz and cross the Elbe by ferry, or use the bus that stops in Pillnitz. In season, steamships depart from the Terrassenufer, when river conditions allow.
Tip
The park can be visited without entering the museums; the museums and the camellia house require admission. The museums' season runs roughly from late March to early November: check before you go. Combine the visit with a walk through the Loschwitz district and across the Blaues Wunder bridge on the way back.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Schloss Pillnitz
How to get to Schloss Pillnitz from Dresden city center?
By tram to Kleinzschachwitz and a ferry across the Elba, or by bus to Pillnitz. In season there are also steamers departing from the Terrassenufer, if river levels allow.
When does the camellia of Pillnitz bloom?
It usually blooms from February to April. In winter it is protected by a movable greenhouse.
Is Schloss Pillnitz open year-round?
The park and the Palmenhaus are open year-round; the Schlossmuseum and the museum of decorative arts usually open from late March to early November. Check before you go.
How much time should you allow for Pillnitz?
Half a day, including travel from the center, and about 2 to 3 hours in the park and a museum.