Dresden Armory, Military museum in Dresden Castle, Germany
The Dresden Armory is a weapons collection housed in Dresden Castle and displays over 13,000 objects including ceremonial weapons, armor, and elaborate garments. The objects fill a 57-meter-long grand exhibition hall and provide a comprehensive view of courtly combat cultures across different periods.
The collection began in 1485 when Duke Albert established a ducal armory chamber, and grew substantially under Elector Augustus of Saxony during the 1500s. These two periods shaped the core holdings, reflecting Saxony's power and position in the European world.
The Turkish Chamber section displays 600 Ottoman objects like bows and leather vessels that reflect a time of contact between Saxony and the Ottoman Empire. The gold-embroidered tent stands out as evidence of these historical exchanges and holds a special place in the collection.
The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and can be accessed through step-free entrances at Sophienstraße, Taschenberg 2, and Schloßstraße. It is wise to allow at least two to three hours for a comfortable visit and to choose the quieter morning hours.
The exhibition presents three types of medieval tournaments through 350 objects: the sharp race, the lance tilt, and the foot tournament. Accompanying paintings from the 1500s help visitors understand these early combat forms and recognize their differences.
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