August 17, 2025, 5:23 am | Read time: 4 minutes
One hundred years ago, the Bauhaus moved from Weimar to Dessau, changing architecture and design worldwide. Today, the Dessau period is considered the most creative phase of the art school. Numerous buildings from the era are still preserved and can be visited. Starting September 4, the anniversary will be celebrated with a grand Bauhaus festival.
The famous Bauhaus building, with its fully glazed facade and iconic lettering, was revolutionary at its inception. Every architectural decision, from the facade to the furniture, is well thought out. The glass surfaces change their appearance depending on the light, shimmer in the plaster reflects daylight, and the lighting in the entrance area directs the gaze to the auditorium.
Overview
Atelierhaus: Now for Guests
The building complex also includes the Atelierhaus, also known as Prellerhaus. Previously, Bauhaus students and teachers lived here; today, guests can stay in a reconstructed atmosphere. The rooms, about 20 square meters in size, cost from 65 euros for single rooms and from 75 euros for double rooms, equipped with a sink. Each floor shares six rooms with a shower, toilet, and a small kitchenette.
The Master Houses: Living Spaces of Bauhaus Artists
Among the most significant buildings of the Dessau Bauhaus phase are the Master Houses. Prominent teachers like Lyonel Feininger, Oskar Schlemmer, Wassily Kandinsky, and Paul Klee lived here. They were designed as duplexes with identical layouts but individual color schemes. Walter Gropius, founder and director of the Bauhaus, even had his own house, which was destroyed in World War II. A modern replica now marks the site.
Also interesting: Kubuswoningen – the Quirky Cube Houses in the Netherlands
The Törten Settlement: Bauhaus for Everyone
With the Törten Settlement, Gropius created another significant building project commissioned by the city of Dessau. It was intended to provide affordable and modern housing for many. An example is the almost original condition of House Anton with some typical Bauhaus elements like window bands with steel frames.
This Building is a Giant Musical Instrument
2,100 Half-Timbered Houses! Germany’s Hidden World Heritage Gem
Bauhaus Anniversary with Exhibitions and Dance
From September 4 to 9, the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation celebrates its 100th anniversary. The event will feature not only a reinterpretation of Oskar Schlemmer’s material dances but also the premiere of “Voices of Bauhaus,” a composition by sound artist Piero Mottola. Additionally, various exhibitions will focus on the theme “To the Substance,” highlighting the role of glass, concrete, and metal in the Bauhaus context.
There is also the digital tour “Invisible Bauhaus Dessau,” which leads to places that were significant in the early days of the Bauhaus but are now barely visible.
Destination and Travel
The city of Dessau-Roßlau is located in Saxony-Anhalt. In addition to the Bauhaus, tourist attractions include the UNESCO World Heritage Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve River Landscape Elbe.
By train, the journey to Dessau from Berlin takes about one and a half hours. From Frankfurt am Main and Munich, it takes nearly five hours each. Traveling by car takes about the same time.
With material from dpa