Housed in the 16th-century fortified castle of the Moritzburg, Saxony-Anhalt’s Kunstmuseum (art museum) exhibits an outstanding collection of artworks dating from the medieval period.

The Moritzburg served as the former residence of the Archbishops of Magdeburg and combined elements of late-Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Historicism in its design. Much of the castle was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War and the West Wing where the Kunstmuseum is situated had remained largely in ruins when its shell was transformed into the modern art gallery seen today in 2008. It features high skylights and floating upper floors, with a blending of historical and contemporary elements.

Wander through the 19th-century galleries where paintings by Caspar David Friedrich, Anselm Feuerbach and Max Klinger are on display, together with sculptures by French masters Auguste Rodin and Aristide Maillol. Works by Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and Gustav Klimt are also exhibited, with the mu-seum renowned for its collection of works in the Expressionism, Constructivism and New Objectivity genres. Take time to explore the Hermann Gerlinger collection of Die Brücke expressionist artworks and significant pieces from the GDR period, as well as works by some of Saxony-Anhalt’s most prominent contemporary artists.

In addition to the Kunstmuseum, its gallery shop and cafe, the Moritzburg is home to the beautiful Mary-Magdalene Chapel, which is decorated with 16th-century frescoes and memorial plates. The courtyard of the Moritzburg is also worth a wander and offers an insight into the rich history of the castle and its diverse architectural styles.