Zwinger palace and park complex in Dresden: description. Dresden: attractions in one day

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Zwinger in Dresden is the most famous and popular attraction of the Saxon capital, which is known far beyond Germany itself. It is in this place that such masterpieces of world culture as the Chocolate Girl and the Sistine Madonna, as well as other unsurpassed canvases, are stored. The Ensemble of Palaces (Zwinger) is an ingenious work of art made in the Baroque style. This is one of the symbols of the village. It is located in the center of the metropolis next to the Elbe embankment. And first of all, the Zwinger is known as the place where the Dresden Art Gallery is located. This attraction belongs to those objects that must be seen with your own eyes, because not a single story about them can be compared with real splendor and pomposity.

Description and history

Zwinger in Dresden - these are seven pavilions, which are interconnected by a gallery, the fountain "Bath of the Nymphs", a courtyard decorated with fountains and flower beds, andKronentor gate. The sturdy but darkened sandstone over time, the gilded crown on the gates, and the blue-tinted roofs make this attraction look like a fairy-tale palace. The galleries are decorated with balustrades, sculptures and vases. All this turns the Zwinger into a single masterpiece of baroque art. In the middle of the building there are several large museums, among which there is a gallery of the Old Masters. A number of events are organized in the open-air courtyard during the summer season.

The incredibly beautiful Zwinger palace and park complex was erected on the territory of the fortification of the city, which served as a defense structure of the castle of the Electors. When there were peaceful times, the object was used for various court festivities. Zwinger appeared thanks to the efforts of Elector August the Strong, architect M. D. Peppelman and sculptor B. Permoser. During 1711-1728, many other craftsmen and artists took part in the construction of the ensemble. From the very beginning, it was planned to build a complex of greenhouses, which was supposed to contain a collection of the rarest plants of King Augustus the Strong. But over the years, the project was slightly expanded, as a result of which the Zwinger turned into a large structure with a park. It was not possible to complete the project.

In just a few years, the complex has become the epicenter of court celebrations, ceremonies, recreation and life in general. It was also a place for the presentation of the elector's collections. For example, scientific and technical collections have been located here since 1728.

XIX-XX centuries in the history of attractions

The inner courtyard of the Zwinger until the 19th century was limited only by a small wall from the side of the river. The plan was to create a park here. But in the 40s of the 19th century, the Semperbau was erected - a new building of the museum, on the project of which the court architect G. Semper worked. The museum building has turned the Zwinger in Dresden into a vicious circle.

During the XVIII-XIX centuries, buildings were destroyed and restored many times, wasting their historical appearance. But in the 1920s, the great importance of the Baroque for the art of Europe was recognized, and therefore the Zwinger Palace in Dresden is being restored under the strict guidance of Hubert Ermisch. The vast experience of such works allowed the architect and expert historians to restore the landmark in almost the same form in which it was created many years ago. Today we have the opportunity to admire the object exactly as Germany saw it for the first time.

What's in the Zwinger

The Zwinger in Dresden has the following buildings and museums:

• The Old Masters Gallery is the same Dresden art gallery, which is the most famous museum in the city. It is here that you can see the "Sistine Madonna", written by the immortal Raphael.
• Armoury - one of the world's richest collections of tournament equipment and court ceremonial weapons is gathered here.
• German pavilion – together with the adjoining gallery, the object connectspavilion with chimes and the building of the Semper Gallery.
• The Porcelain Collection – The Dresden Porcelain Collection consists of 20,000 items and is one of the most valuable collections of ceramics on Earth.
• Pavilion with chimes – in 1933, a chronometer was installed at the construction of the Zwinger City Pavilion, in the mechanism of which four dozen bells made of Meissen porcelain were integrated.

This is not all the museums and monuments located on the territory of the Zwinger. It is rather difficult to describe them in one article, so it is best to see all this beauty live.

The most outstanding objects of the Zwinger

Zwinger in Dresden, which we described in the article, is the main attraction in the city. And if you are lucky enough to get to this place, then you should definitely visit the fountain "Bath of the Nymphs". It is located in the place where once there was a fortification rampart behind the French Pavilion. This is one of the most beautiful fountains belonging to the Baroque era. It was built according to the design of B althazar Permoser. On top of the shaft there is a hole from which water flows and falls into the pool in an artificially created waterfall. On the southwest side, the fountain is decorated with six statues of nymphs and a dolphin pouring water.

No less interesting will be the Kronentor gate or crown gate. They are crowned with a dome depicting the Polish crown carried by four eagles. This particular facility was reconstructed after World War II.

One of the most beautiful theaters inworld

Dresden is very beautiful. There are many sights to see in one day. So, in addition to the Zwinger, it is worth visiting the Semperoper, which is one of the most beautiful theaters on the planet. The opera building is really chic, and it is built in the neo-Renaissance style. The object is located on the Theater Square of the settlement. There are 16 figures of popular writers and literary heroes in niches around the perimeter of the attraction.

Piece of Italy

Many tourists like Dresden. You won’t be able to see the sights in one day, but it’s quite possible to walk through most of them. And if you have already been thrown into this city for just one day, then do not miss the Italian village, located on one of the banks of the Elbe River. There is one incredibly beautiful building here. And it's gorgeous inside and out.