You can encounter antiquity at every turn in Wörlitz. In the Haus der Fürstin in Wörlitz, the exhibition center of the Dessau-Wörlitz Cultural Foundation, the exhibition "Volcanoes, gods, megalithic tombs. Antiquity and the Garden Kingdom" is dedicated to the various forms of enthusiasm for antiquity at the end of the 18th century. Until November 30, 2025, treasures from the collections that have rarely or never been shown before will be on display in the Princess's House, supplemented by important loans, thus sharpening and broadening our view of antiquity.
The exhibition focuses on the various facets of the reception of antiquities in the Garden Kingdom: The spectrum ranges from the travel memoirs of Prince Leopold III Friedrich Franz von Anhalt-Dessau, his collection of original antiquities, the embedding of antique images in the Wörlitz landscape garden to the influence of these models on the fashion of the time. For the first time, the exhibition will also include the recently discovered "non-classical" Wörlitz antiquities, the citations of prehistoric monuments in the landscape garden (megalithic tombs and the like). Prof. Dr. Harald Meller, acting director and board member of the Dessau-Wörlitz Cultural Foundation, emphasized the significance of these citations of prehistoric monuments, which are being explained to the public for the first time in the exhibition: "Amazing discoveries are still possible in the study of the Garden Kingdom. The rediscovered monument layer of indigenous, prehistoric monuments, for example, has hardly been considered in research into the Garden Kingdom to date."
View of the exhibition © KsDW, Lars Reimann
The special exhibition in the Haus der Fürstin also focuses on an interactive approach to visitors. At various hands-on stations, the ancient world can be understood actively and with all the senses. The audio station, tactile model and animated film enrich the visit to the exhibition, not only for children and families.
The exhibition invites visitors to discover the ancient-inspired temples and sculptures in the Wörlitz Landscape Garden with new eyes. Analog park maps with a set of postcards or alternatively a digital tour, which has been integrated into the new Garden Kingdom app, provide orientation. Stefan Ebert, Managing Director of Lotto-Toto GmbH Sachsen-Anhalt, welcomes the exhibition's wide-ranging educational program: "Today's visitors find it difficult to understand the ancient references in Wörlitz Park. We are delighted that we are supporting this diverse educational program for a wide audience with our funding, so that everyone can get to know and understand the Garden Kingdom better in a very personal way."
The exhibition is accompanied by an extensive supporting program consisting of guided tours, lectures and creative activities.
May 28 to November 30, 2025
https://gartenreich.de
View of the exhibition © KsDW, Lars Reimann
