The Badisches Landesmuseum is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2019. The world renowned Karlsruher Türkenbeute is at the heart of the museum's exhibitions – a trophy collection assembled by the Baden margraves from the 17th century Turkish wars. It is more emblematic of Baden's history than almost any other collection, while also illuminating its European dimension.
For the first time, the Grand State Exhibition is addressing historical and cultural linkages in East-Central and Southeastern Europe. The region, located in the heart of Europe, was the scene of war and ethnic unrest in the 17th century. Hungary, the Siebenburgen area, and the Balkan peninsula became transit and border areas in an era of tension between major powers. This corridor developed into a gateway for knowledge transfer on the European continent, the likes of which had never been seen before. The exhibition focuses on new developments in civilisation, created in the shadow of power politics and religious conflict: Innovations in architecture, art and fashion, or the introduction of new technical processes.
The exhibition presents around 350 Ottoman or Ottoman-influenced pieces. For the first time, it combines collections from Karlsruhe with the significant Türckischen Cammer of the Dresden State Art Collections (Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden) on a large scale. In addition, the exhibition also presents objects on loan from Budapest, Krakow and Vienna, as well as Ptuj (Slovenia). A scientific advisory board made up of representatives from universities and museums in Germany, Croatia, Austria, Poland and Hungary provides support to the project.
