The collection of the Museum für Völkerkunde comprises 100,000 objects from all parts of the world, including sculptures, jewellery, crockery and weapons.

It is at home in the Japanisches Palais (Japanese Palace) on the Elbe River, only a few steps away from the Golden Rider, the equestrian statue of August the Strong. Today, the uniqueness of many of the objects goes hand in hand with the necessary questions regarding their origin.

Who created them and why? How did they come to Dresden? Were these objects given as gifts, sold or even taken from their original owners during the colonial era?

A jewel from the historic Old City of Damascus is being kept in Dresden - and could contribute to changing our perception of the Orient and Syria. The Dresden Damascus Room consists of a wooden wall and ceiling paneling that is elaborately embellished with metal leafed and painted decoration and once adorned the reception room for guests in a noble residence in Damascus.

The museum traces its origins to the Kunstkammer founded by August I, Elector of Saxony, in 1560. The nearly 100,000 objects held by the Museum für Völkerkunde Dresden come from the most diverse regions of the five continents of the world.