Technische Sammlungen Dresden

The Technische Sammlungen Dresden (Dresden Technical Collections) is the central technology museum and science center of the Saxon state capital. Housed in a former industrial building of the Ernemann camera works, it covers more than 6,500 square meters and offers a varied mix of permanent exhibitions, interactive experience worlds, and changing special presentations. The building itself, erected in the early 20th century in the functional style of the Deutscher Werkbund, is an important monument of industrial culture. Here you can explore not only the history of photography, film, and computer technology, but also experience current topics in technological research. A distinctive feature is the close connection between historical industrial heritage and modern science, with hands-on experimentation for all age groups.

The permanent exhibitions focus on information and communication technology, among other topics, with exhibits ranging from mechanical sound storage devices to historic computers and typewriters. One highlight is the largest typewriter collection in Europe, which is freely accessible. Microelectronics also plays a central role, as Dresden has been an important location for this technology since the 1960s. The exhibit traces the development from the first industrially manufactured chips to today's energy-efficient solutions. The offering is rounded out by Erlebnisland Mathematik (Mathematics Adventure Land), an interactive exhibition with around 100 exhibits that invites you to think for yourself and solve puzzles, as well as by Wellenreiter, an opto-acoustic experimentation area that illustrates the properties of sound and light waves in a playful way.

Another key component is the permanent exhibition on the history of animated film, which focuses on the former DEFA animation studio in Dresden-Gorbitz. Hundreds of figures, props, and technical devices are on display, explaining how animated films were made. The museum also offers numerous educational programs, workshops, and lectures in cooperation with the Technical University of Dresden and other research institutions. From the museum café in the historic Ernemann Tower, you can enjoy sweeping views over the city and the Elbe Valley. Because the building is currently undergoing an energy-efficiency renovation, the exhibitions are temporarily closed, with reopening planned for 2030.