The historic Green Vault at the Royal Palace in Dresden, Germany, will re-open to the general public on 15 September, following extensive restoration works costing 45m euro (£30.4m, US$57.7m).
More than 3,000 treasures will be exhibited in the vault’s 10 chambers, according to the original designs revealed by the inventory lists of 1733.
Precious works of art will not be enclosed by glass cabinets but openly displayed on the walls and on ornate tables.
The Green Vault was originally constructed in the 18th century by August the Strong, who commissioned the ground floor of the Royal Palace to be transformed into a treasure chamber painted a malachite green colour.
However, during World War II the palace was partially destroyed and the unique art works were evacuated for their protection. In 1945 they were transferred to the Soviet Union before being returned to Dresden in 1958.
In the mid 1960s, reconstruction work began on the palace complex at a cost of 337m euro (£227.6m, US$432.5m), and the complete reconstruction of the Green Vault started in 2002.
The project was managed by the Saxon State Enterprise for Property and Construction Management (SIB). Details: www.skd-dresden.de
