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Although you expect something extraordinary – as the Zwinger is Dresden’s most famous attraction – you are overwhelmed by the beauty of this masterpiece of royal Baroque architecture.
The original – later bombed by the English like everything, then restored – was built from 1709 to 1732 during the reign of August dem Starken (Friedrich August I = Augustus the Strong).
The word Zwinger suggests anything that encloses something or someone, where animals (bears, dogs kennel, bear-pit) or humans ( ward) are held – normally against their will. It can also be the prison of a knight’s castle. In this Zwinger’s case it refers to the location of the structure within the city’s fortification, between the inner and outer battlement.
However: Dresden’s Zwinger was not built as part of a fortification, and the front part with the Kronentor (Crown Gate) stands directly ON the outer wall. It was planned as the forecourt of a new castle which should – together with a line of other buildings - cover the space down to the Elbe river. But it was never completed entirely.
At the start it was a kind of amphitheatre where events were held for Saxony’s nobility. By the time more and more features were added, the pavillions, the beautiful gardens, the sculptures, the galleries. The architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann and the Bavarian sculptor Balthasar Permoser created this spectacular ensemble.
The courtyard with its manicured lawns and bubbling fountains measures 116 x 204 metres. The design is perfectly symmetrical.
The side of the Zwinger which faces the river – the Gemäldegalerie (Art Gallery) - was only built a hundred years later. Gottfried Semper – you have heard the name in connection with the Semperoper – started the work in 1847. After he had fled Dresden, following the unsuccessful so called May Resurgence of republicans in 1849, Karl Moritz Haenel finished the job until 1854. This Art Gallery – official name: Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister – holds an outstanding collection of paintings of Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Raffael, Tizian, etc.
Open Tue – Sun 10am – 6pm, closed on Monday
Admission 7 Euro
(Note: You can get a daypass for most Dresden museums for 12 Euro and a yearpass for 20 Euro but this does not include the museum Historisches Grünes Gewölbe and special exhibitions); guided tours on Friday and Sunday at 4pm cost 2 Euro extra.
Updated Aug 28, 2008
Phone: (0351) 491 42 000
Website: http://www.skd-dresden.de/de/museen/alte_meister.html
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Dresden is heaven for lovers of porcelain. Duke Elector and King of Poland August the Strong was crazy about the so called "white gold" and collected it. He even traded Saxon soldiers in for porcelain (And who was the other party in the trade? Prussien's King, of course. Who else?)
Not only did August buy Japanese and Chinese porcelain, he also conveyed the research for manufacturing porcelain in Saxony. To his delight Johann Friedrich Böttger and Walther von Tschirnhaus found out the secret of how to make porcelain in Dresden in 1710. The porcelain manufacture was founded in nearby Meißen and August was the best customer.
Only a fractional amount of the whole collection is on display in the Zwinger halls as this porcelain collection is one of the largest and most valuable in the world. In recent years New York based designer Peter Marino created a new, colourful, almost Baroque design for the display and while I'd say at some points it looks a bit kitschy it is much better than the previous, quite sterile design.
Excellent pieces from Japan and China as well as such from Europe's first porcelain manufacture in Meissen are on display. I love the big animal figures in particular, also the tiny figures of the Commedia dell'Arte.
Entrance is at Glockenspiel (Chimes) Pavillion.
Updated Jan 3, 2011
Website: www.skd.museum
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The Zwinger is also home of the magnificent Armoury. It is one of the biggest and most magnificent in the world. Due to limited space only less than 10% of the pieces are on display. It is planned to relocate the Armoury to the Royal Palace after reconstruction is finished. This will allow to display almost all the pieces - cannot wait to see it! So far one part of the Armoury, the "Turkish Chamber" has made the move - and it is absolutely fantastic! See separate tip, please.
What you get to see in the Zwinger halls are mostly suits or armour, guns, pistols, rapiers etc. but also the official robe which Augustus the Strong wore at the coronation procedure - one of the highlights.
This exhibit is pretty fascinating for kids, especially the boys. I spent hours there when I was a little boy, never got tired of watching the pieces and letting my fantasy play.
Updated Jan 3, 2011
Address: Theaterplatz
Website: www.skd.museum
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Zwinger Palace crown gate, side pavillions, and sculptured gardens. The Zwinger Palace and gardens represent the very best of Dresden's unique Version of Baroque building and landscape architecture. The gardens are some of the most beautiful anywhere. Visit the gardens, see the palace exteriors including sculptures, climb the staircases, and walk on the balconies, all free of charge. The interiors and museums can be visited for a price.
Updated May 26, 2005
Address: Dresden Altstadt
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One of the main attractions in Dresden is the magnificent palace of Zwinger. It represents the most perfect example of Late Baroque architecture in Germany. Today the Zwinger houses several great exibits:
* Old Masters Picture Gallery
* Armoury
* Porcelain Collection
* Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon
* Zoological Museum
Written Oct 12, 2003
Address: In the city center
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The Zwinger Palace was designed by Matthaeus Daniel Poeppelmann in 1722, and became the main attraction in that city's rich cultural heritage. It was famous for its collection of works of art and scientific treasures. The Zwinger Palace was mostly destroyed by the bombing raids of February 13-15, 1945, but has been restored by today.
Updated Oct 12, 2003
Address: In the city center
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This gate of the Zwinger – a kind of small arch - has become a symbol of the city, and surely is the complex’s most famous part. You walk through it on your walk on the outer wall of the Zwinger.
Architecturally it is a mixture of Italian Baroque and antique elements.
Over the pillars of the gate you see the royal sceptre, the crossed swords, and over the arch Saxon’s coat of arms. Greek heroes and gods like Herakles and Athena are also depicted in the sculptures.
The onion-shaped roof is made of gold coated copper.
On the tip of this roof-tower you see four Polish eagles (I do not know how you can see the difference between Polish and German eagles…) carrying a replica of the Polish King’s crown. Why Polish? Because August II was elected as King of Poland in 1697. However, some say the crown could also be the crown of the German Emperor which Augustus the Strong had hoped for.
Written Aug 28, 2008
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The prettiest spot in the Zwinger complex is hidden and easily overlooked: The Nymphenbad (Nymph's Bath) in the Northwestern corner. It is not visible from the main courtyard.This romantic grotto with its fountains is a cool refreshing place on hot summer days.
Written Oct 10, 2008
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The Glockenspiel Pavilion, so named with the addition of a carillon in 1936, is the ornate and near symmetrical bookend to the Ramparts Pavilion which has a statue of Hercules as its standout feature atop the baroque structure adorned with intricate sculptures of hermae. Next to it is the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon, a museum dedicated to scientific instruments such as globes and clocks.
Written Jan 26, 2008
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Here you see some of the 21 happy figures of Pan (Greek god of the herdsm the forests and nature) that hold the outer walls of the Zwinger galleries.
This pavillon is on the opposite side of the Glockenspiel-Pavillon in the inner courtyard.
Pan is also known for his salaciousness. That is why satyrs and nymphs enjoy his presence.
Pan has horns and ram hooves – and is not funny at all when somebody disturbs his after lunch snooze.
Written Aug 28, 2008
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Write a ReviewHere you see some of the 21 happy figures of Pan (Greek god of the herdsm the forests and nature) that hold the outer walls of the Zwinger galleries. This...
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