Not far from the Blockhaus along Grosse Meissner Strasse, the Japanese Palais is easy to spot thanks to its exotically curved roof. Originally the Dutch Palais of Count Fleming, it was built in 1715 to designs by Pöppelmann and later expanded into a four-wing palace in Late Baroque and Classicist style between 1727 and 1733, with contributions from architects Knöffel and Longuelune.
Augustus the Strong intended it to house his enormous porcelain collection -- the roof and facade were to be clad entirely in Meissen porcelain, but the plan never came to fruition. Decorative details throughout the building still hint at that original purpose. After 1780 the Royal Library moved in, later becoming the State Library. Today the palais houses the State Museums of Ethnology and Prehistory. The gardens along the Elbe are worth a stroll in their own right.