Dresden's Zwinger Palace is famous around the world for its beautiful baroque architecture. It was built in 1709 during the reign of Augustus the Strong. The remarkable sculptures adorning the gallery walls are by various artists and help make this one of the main attractions in Saxony's regional capital.
The Zwinger Palace in Dresden was built in 1709. It was
originally an open area surrounded by wooden buildings which was used by
the Saxon nobility for tournaments and other courtly pursuits. The
sandstone palace was built between 1710 and 1719 by Matthäus Daniel
Pöppelmann, under Elector Augustus the Strong. Its pavilions and
galleries on the side of the ramparts were used as an orangery. The
Crown Gate, the most photographed part of the Zwinger, is decorated with
gods from Greek mythology. Next to the Rampart Pavilion is the
Nymphaeum, one of the finest baroque fountains in Germany. Today,
various museums are to be found inside the Zwinger Palace. The Dresden
porcelain collection is one of the largest ceramics collections in the
world. Another highlight is the armoury with its exquisite collection of
weapons, suits of armour and ceremonial garments. It's also well worth
visiting the Semper Gallery, which was built between 1847 and 1854 to
plans by Gottfried Semper. To this day, the gallery contains the world's
most important collection of paintings dating from the baroque to the
Renaissance period, including the famous Sistine Madonna by Raphael.
Another near neighbour to Zwinger Palace is the Church of Our Lady.
First erected between 1726 to 1743, this baroque masterpiece was
destroyed during the Second World War before being rebuilt from 1994 to
2005, thanks to a combination of public funds and donations. In
architectural terms, it is one of the finest church buildings in Europe
from this period. Still in Dresden, Grosser Garten park covers a total
area of 147 hectares and is perfect for leisurely strolls and breaks
from the hustle and bustle.
0 comments: