Mr Rebmann, the Anhalt Picture Gallery in Dessau located in Georgium Castle is one of the most important museums in Saxony-Anhalt. What makes it so special?

Above all it is the wide range of high-profile works that are exhibited in a unique historic setting. The picture gallery itself is not particularly old, as it was founded in 1927, but when it was founded, several older collections from Dessau and from the Anhalt region were brought together, including a number of royal collections with all their treasures. We also have a good selection of works by artists who worked in Anhalt or who come from the region. This allows visitors to immerse themselves in the region’s cultural history. Georgium Castle is a treasure trove. Many of the works of art in the collection come from the castles and palaces of the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site that also includes Georgium Castle and its park. That is why we like to refer to it as the “art museum in the Garden Kingdom.”

Since the spring of 2012, the permanent exhibition has been closed due to the comprehensive renovation of the castle. At the end of 2023, the collection opened again to visitors. What has changed in the rooms that house the gallery?

Significant changes have been made. The aim of the renovation work was to enable the historic building to meet the requirements of a modern art museum. One of the key aspects is accessibility. The building is not fully accessible, but wheelchair users can now visit all the floors of the exhibition and there are no thresholds or steps at the entrance to the building. The way in which the artworks are displayed has also been modernized, including the type of lighting, the signs and, most importantly, the security of the paintings.

The ticket office and the bathroom facilities have been moved and enlarged, which has significantly improved the experience for visitors. But there is also more space available for exhibiting the artworks. Former repository and storage rooms have been made accessible as part of the renovation work, which means that more artworks can be displayed than was possible in the past. All of the construction measures have been taken with great care and forethought to ensure that they do not intrude on the basic structure of the historic building, because the museum not only exhibits works of art, but is also housed in one. Georgium Castle is an important historic memorial and part of the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz. Many of its architectural details, such as the amazing stucco ceilings, can now be seen to their best advantage.

Echtzeit - Online Magazin - “Georgium Castle is a treasure trove”