Where is the original Bauhaus?

People often mean two different things by “the original Bauhaus”: the first Bauhaus school (where it began) or the iconic Bauhaus building (the most famous landmark).

The Bauhaus began in Weimar (Germany) in 1919 as the “Staatliches Bauhaus in Weimar”. It moved to Dessau in 1925, where the world-famous Bauhaus Building opened in 1926. Later, the school continued in Berlin until it closed in 1933.

What “original Bauhaus” usually refers to

Origin (1919): Weimar — the first Bauhaus school and the founding context.
Icon (1926): Dessau — the Bauhaus Building as the best-known architectural symbol.
Final phase (1932–33): Berlin — the last chapter before closure.

Best way to visit today

If you want the origin story, start with Weimar. If you want the most iconic Bauhaus architecture, go to Dessau. For the collection and the wider legacy, add Berlin.

Quick planning tip

For a focused first-time visit, many travelers combine Dessau (Bauhaus Building) with nearby Meisterhäuser and then expand to Weimar or Berlin depending on time and interests.

Note: “Original Bauhaus” is a common shorthand. Historically, the Bauhaus was a school that evolved across Weimar, Dessau and Berlin, rather than a single permanent site.