Neo-Gothic art and a cabinet of curiosities The Gotisches Haus in the Wörlitzer Park

The Gotisches Haus or Gothic House, built between 1773 and 1813 in multiple stages, is among the earliest and best-preserved pieces of neo-Gothic architecture in continental Europe.

Prince Franz of Anhalt-Dessau had this his refuge built as a place where he could on the one hand document the importance and age of his dynasty and, on the other, pursue his own entirely personal interests as a collector. This resulted in the creation of an “art and wonders cabinet,” comprising a collection of approximately 600 paintings by major German and Dutch old masters, art and craftwork objects, and natural items. The rooms are still fascinating today, thanks to their original furnishings, the remaining approximately 200 paintings (largely images of the Prince’s family), the pictures by Cranach, Avercamp and de Bruyn, and, above all, to the extensive and unique collection of predominantly Swiss glass paintings from the late 15th to the 17th century.