Information

The building of the Gotisches Haus (gothic house) in the Wörlitz park started in 1769. It was later extended with three other parts. The purpose of the house was primarily to demonstrate the glory of the House of Anhalt. The most important dynastic branch was that of the House of Orange. That is why there are numerous portraits of Orange-Nassau family members in the collection, such as the portrait of Amalia van Solms as Flora with her two eldest children by Gerard van Honthorst from 1629. Others are by artists such as Jan Mijtens or Abraham Snaphaen and show for example Henriette Catharina, her daughters and William I of Orange-Nassau. Other Dutch and Flemish artists are represented too, such as Frans Pourbus with portraits of Charles I and Ferdinand I, as well as Hendrick Avercamp, Hans Vredeman de Vries, Hendrick van Balen, Hieronymus Janssens, Willem van de Velde the Younger or Joos van Cleve. High-quality marble busts of Frederik Hendrik and William II of Orange-Nassau by the Flemish sculptor Francois Dieussart are also on display in the Gotisches Haus.

Dr. Wolfgang Savelsberg, Head of the Department of Palaces (May 2020)

The Gotisches Haus is a part of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm, which is administered by the Dessau-Wörlitz Cultural Foundation.