The Zwinger is the embodiment of what Baroque meant back in the days of the yore. It is located right in the heart of the Saxon capital state. Its popularity and fame indeed holds no bounds. Zwinger was built in-between 1709 and 1732 while incorporating the best architectural spirit of the time. You can find an internationally recognised museum and a theatre for music and dramatic performances at Dresdner Zwinger along with many other intricately designed buildings and a sumptuous load of historical milieu. Zwinger occupies the north-western side of the Inner Old Town or the Inner Altstadt. It is located very close to the Elbe. On its northeast side you will see the Theatre Square; towards the southeast side you will see the Sophie Street and on the southern side you can find the Postplatz and the Ostra-Allee is towards the south-western side. The houses of the merchants of Dresden on the west are some of the most beautiful structures in Dresden.
The History:
The architecture of Dresden Zwinger is symbolic of a unique fusion between Italian and Germanic architectural forms and styles which took shape right after they won the wars with the Turks in Vienna in the year 1683. The complex is laden with the most attractive floral gardens, statues and its façade is simply mesmerising, it is in-fact something that has to be witnessed in person and only then can the experience be fulfilling.
Dresden Zwinger is the resultant of interplay of over-ambition and limited resources and that too in several numbers of stages. This can be understood by the following description. The Orangery was added between 1710 and 1716 whereas the galleries were added in 1719 along with the wall pavilion, Crown Gate, the long galleries and the mirror image buildings at the southern end. There was a massive amount of time constraint while these structures attained their manifestations. This is because it was to serve as a wedding arena for Augustus the Strong’s son, Prince Elector and his to be bride Maria Josepha, the daughter of Emperor Joseph I. Also, in 1709 a wooden amphitheatre was built in the honour of the Danish King. This amphitheatre stood till 1714. Later-on multiple plans were presented for the construction of an atrium right in-between the kennel and the Elbe Baroque Castle complex but that never moved out of the planning stage.
Augustus the Strong wanted to present the social and cultural life of Saxony in the most overt manner possible. He in all his efforts tried to promote the Saxon manufacturing system by presenting to the world the Saxon carpet, wallpaper factory, Porcelain Manufactory, wallpaper factories, the Dresdner gemstones, mirror and glasswork industries along with gold work and the legendary Saxon baroque. Due to the festivities, artefacts and ingenious works hundreds and thousands of tourists would flock to Saxony. Thus, Saxony’s economy also benefited from this trade and allowed it to become one of the most prosperous empires in Europe then and now.
With the death of Augustus in 1733 Zwinger lost its charm and all the grand festivities became more and more exclusive. It was neglected during the rococo period and most places were left for ruins. During the Seven Year’s War (1756-1763) the Zwinger was extensively damaged due to the bombing by the imperial army. The situation had become much adverse when in 1780 the chief master builder Christian Friedrich Exner considered to demolish the sculptures. But, thankfully no further harm was committed and about 3 years later, since 1783 the downward spiral stopped. The first restoration work was commenced by Johann Daniel Schade and also additions were made of the sculptures by Baptista cod, Thaddeus Ignaz Wiskotschill and Johann Ferdinand Feige. Furthermore, during the Napoleonic Wars in 1813 the Kennel suffered considerable damage. As a result the water supply to the Nymph bath was lost. Later-on during the May uprising of 1849 the Pöppelmann Opera House was burnt down which used to be located right behind the Porcelain pavilion along with parts of the Kennel and the City Pavilion. After all this turmoil, Saxony’s Baroque style could only be rediscovered in the second half of 19th century with the restoration work.
With the bombings during the Second World War Dresden turned into rubbles. The north-western sections along with the Wall Pavilions were destroyed. Moreover, after the heavy shelling and bombings subsided, recovering the valuables became the next target. But, what was found was rather catastrophic. The Soviet army had not only swept the region but had also planted mines. Today, when you walk around signs saying: “The museum has been tested – no mines – Chanutin” can be spotted. By the late 1980’s most of the restoration work was completed.
Why visit?
The Zwinger Palace is the reason enough to come and visit Dresden Zwinger. The palace is a baroque masterpiece. It was constructed by the famous architect and designer Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann in the year 1686. His designs of the fortification were in sync with the Roman High Baroque. Georg Dehio, an art historian described the building to be a great masterpiece and also that it managed to portray spontaneity of a genius. Pöppelmann had used a combination of elements of baroque architectural styles from all over Europe. His main inspirations were the Villa Torlonia in Frascati, the Palazzo del Grilloni in Rome, and Palace of Versailles in France among others. Furthermore, the fortification was as per the decree presided by Elector Friedrich August I of Saxony whose name was popularised as Augustus the Strong. If you are looking for more reasons to visit Dresden Zwinger, read further.
Here you can also find the following:
- Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister: “My amazement was beyond words”, these were the words spoken by the great writer Johann Wolfgang Goethe when in his younger days he first visited the Old Masters Picture Gallery. It is among the most appreciated exhibitions located in Dresden Zwinger. Moreover, not much has changed at the gallery since Goethe’s times, still hundreds and thousands of art lovers and explorers flock here and fall prey to the enchantment that art offers.
Here you can find works that include Raphael’s Sistine Madonna, Glorgione’s Sleeping Venus, Correggio’s Holy Night, Cranch’s St. Catherine Altar, Vermeer’s Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window, Bellotto’s views of Dresden, and many others. This rare treasure trove holds national and international repute. The original structure of the gallery was constructed in 1855 as per the plans of Gottfried Semper. Furthermore, it was during the Second World War that this building suffered massive amounts of damages hence it had to be rebuilt. The building was later on retrofit with all the major technological equipment’s to facilitate better housing of these works of art.
- The Crown Gate: It is the entrance to the Zwinger. Designed in the images of the Italian high Baroque period, the gate carries Polish Royal Crown’s replica on top. The image of the gate is reminiscent of the great Saxon Elector and King of Poland, Augustus.
- The Nymph’s Bath: The bath is located right behind the French Pavilion. It was again designed in the baroque style equipping the bath with fountains, grottos, and many sculptures.
- The Semper Wing: Carrying the features of Italian High Renaissance and laden with decorative artworks and many sculptures, the Semper Wing houses the Old Masters Picture Gallery and also the Armory.
- The Glockenspiel Pavilion: Since the 6th of December 1933 the name of this pavilion became Glockenspiel Pavilion because at that time a porcelain glockenspiel which was initially presented during the Dresden Hygiene Exhibition in 1930 and later on placed at Sophientor or Sophie’s Gate. At around the time of the midday, each day, the glockenspiel is played to churn out various melodies. A monumental clock was added sometime between 1933 and 1935 and at every quarter hour the glockenspiel rings up to Professor Guenter Schwarze’s original tune of the Hour-striking Tunes. This tune was in-fact composed for the Dresden Glockenspiel in 1994. The most fascinating part about the clock is that depending on the season, certain special tunes are chimed out.
- The Wall-pavilion: When you walk towards the northern end of the Kennel, i.e. the wall of the former city fortress, you will be able to see this almost impossibly intricate architectural marvel. Its design comprises of image work that are created to show moving and bent structures in a fantastically unique harmony.
- Mathematica’s and Physics Salon – French Pavilion: It is located on the west end whereas the French pavilion can be found on the eastern side. They are galleries which act as interconnectors for the wall pavilions and interestingly, these pavilions are mirror images of each other. On top of the Mathematics and Physics Salon you can also find the structure of the Imperial eagle. It is in-fact symbolic of the seat of the Imperial Vicar, which at the time was held by Augustus the Strong himself. Inside the French pavilion you can also find Apollo’s Sculpture.
- Nymphenbad: This historic yet intimate site of artwork is located right behind the French pavilion. It has been decorated in the stalactite-like framework similar to that of cave work. It is also interesting to know that the nymph structures that you will find there are not in-fact the originals, but replicas of the Baroque era marvels. Moreover, they were reconstructed at around 1930’s and the originals can be found in the sculpture workshop which is located in close proximity.
- Long galleries • Kronentor: On the western end of the Kennel Kronentor you can find this Italian High Baroque structure. Its impressive four pillars, the copper roof and the golden crown on top – they symbolize the triumphal rule of Augustus the Strong. On either sides of this crowned gate there are long galleries which have 18 window axes. The flat design of these galleries in a way enhances the appearance of the crown gate.
- Glockenspiel pavilion: The Glockenspiel pavilion until about 1936 was known as the City pavilion and was considered to be the Wall pavilion’s counterpart at the longitudinal axis. It also houses the Chimes from Meissen which was installed in 1930. These structures have almost nicely aged. Restoration work of this section began in 1995 but faced a lot of difficulties during winters specially; hence the work could only be carried on during summers.
In addition to these attractions you can also attend the myriad events that take place at Dresden Zynger.
What else is around?
- Editor’s Pick Dresden Frauenkirche
- Zwinger mit Semperbau
- Theaterplatz and the Semperoper
- The Catholic Court Church
- The Georgentor and the Procession of Princes
- Dresden Transport Museum
- Brühl’s Terrace
- Albertinum and the Dresden State Art Collections
- Dresden Residential Castle and Museums
- Landhaus and the Kreuzkirche
- The Great Garden
- The Japanese Palace and the Golden Horseman
- Loschwitz and the Blue Wonder
- The Pillnitz Palaces
- The German Hygiene Museum.