The Green Vault (Grünes Gewölbe in German) is a museum in Dresden, Germany, located in the Dresden Royal Palace. It is one of the oldest and most significant museums in Europe, showcasing a unique collection of treasures, including jewels, gems, goldsmith's and silversmith's work, porcelain, bronzes, sculptures, and ivory carvings.
The Green Vault consists of two parts: the Historic Green Vault and the New Green Vault. The Historic Green Vault contains around 3,000 objects of precious materials, dating from the Renaissance to the 18th century. Among the most famous pieces are the Dresden Green Diamond, the Golden Coffee Service of Augustus the Strong, and the Court of Delhi. The New Green Vault exhibits approximately 1,000 items, primarily from the 18th century, including the largest green diamond in the world and the jewelry of Queen Amalia.
The museum was founded in the 18th century by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, who had a passion for collecting beautiful and rare objects. The Green Vault was opened to the public in 1723, making it one of the oldest museums in the world.
During World War II, the museum was severely damaged, and many of its exhibits were looted or lost. However, after several years of restoration work, the Green Vault reopened to the public in 2006, and visitors can now see many of its unique treasures on display. The museum is open daily except on Tuesdays.