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Dresden, Germany:
The central railway station of Dresden - Hauptbahnhof, where most of the visitors arrive, is located in one of the ugliest parts of the modern city. The Prager Strasse is leading from here to the Altstadt. This broad street is a perfect example of the typical Stalinist city planning - a large pedestrian zone showing a heterogeneous mixture of box-like panel apartments, grey administrative offices, tall luxury hotels, not very attractive restaurants and cafes visited mainly by organized groups and a few fountains and statues in the characteristic Communist-era artistic style. This pedestrian street was the place where crowds of people gathered in 1989 with the only hope to jump aboard the trains specially laid on for those citizens of East Germany who had asked for refuge in the West Germany’s embassy in Prague. Some continued constructions works are gradually changing the look and atmosphere of the surrounding neighbourhood and it already has a new capitalistic appearance. At the other end of Prager Strasse, crossing the inner ring road, you will reach the Altmarkt or the old market place. Today it is much larger than it used to be as the bombing attacks destroyed many of the buildings surrounding it. The only monument here which is worth more attention is the Kreuzkirche - the Protestant Cathedral. Its architectural plan is a nice combination of a Baroque trunk with a Neoclassical tower. The interior of the church is much modernized, stark and lofty. If you visit the Kreuzkirche on Saturday or Sunday morning you can enjoy a performance of the famous church choir - Kreuzchor, usually singing on background of the music written by the 17th-century German composer Heinrich Schütz, considered one of the fathers of the country's rich musical tradition. Right opposite the Protestant Cathedral is located the Rathaus - an imposing structure with a tall belfry in the lumbering Historicist architectural style, popular in the beginning of the 20th century. North of it, right across the street, is the Gewandhaus - an old, 18th-century cloth hall, today converted into an attractive hotel. Next is the Landhaus, housing the city museum where you can see an impressive collection related to the history of Dresden and the region, displayed in a interesting and unusual way. Between the southern bank of the River Elbe and Wildruffer Strasse il located the palce quarter of the Old Town. Here is the jewel of Baroque Dresden - the Zwinger. This is a magnificent palace, built to host festivities and tournaments. Like many other monuments in the city, the Zwinger was almost fully destroyed during the bombing but after that it was rebuilt and has recently undergone major restoration works too. The design of this enchanting palace has been created by Matthaeus Pöppelmann, considered one of the most original German architects. The unique plan of the Zwinger comprises an open courtyard with fountains and green lawns, surrounded by one-storey galleries, which connect to two-storey pavilions and magnificent monumental gateways. The exquisite sculptural decoration is mostly worked out by Balthasar Permoser. The planned north wing of the palace has never been completed because the funds were insufficient. The main entrance to the complex is from its western side through the so called Kronentor. This is a marvelous arch, named after the sculptured Polish royal crown on its top. There is another entry at the south-west corner of the palace, through the Glockenspielpavillon, known for its marvelous carillon, consisting of 40 bells made of the famous Meissen porcelain. The prettiest pavilion of the Zwinger is located at its north-east corner. This is the splendid Wallpavillon which shape resembles a lantern. Its roof-top is adorned by an impressive statue of Hercules, carrying the globe on its strong shoulders. Behind the Wallpavillon you will see the sumptuous sculptured fountain Nymphenbad, created again by Permoser and considered one of his most flamboyant works. The Zwinger palatial complex houses several interesting museums too. In the Glockenspielpavillon is displayed a rich porcelain collection, including exponents from ancient Chinese porcelain to exquisite products worked out during 18th century in the renowned Meissen factory. A small geology and natural history exhibition is displayed in the south gallery. Interesting old globes, artifacts related to the development of the astronomy during the past centuries and historic clocks are shown in the south-west pavilion, named the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon. The site between the Zwinger and the river is occupied by the impressive 19th-century building - the Semperbau, named after its famous architect Gottfried Semper, who also designed many of the most beautiful architectural monuments in Dresden from the same century. The ground floor of the Semperbau has an exquisite columned hall where is housed the Rüstkammer - an impressive collection of historic weapons and armour of various origin. In the centre of the exhibition is a glaring suite of armour, created in the city of Antwerp and dating back to the middle of the 16th century. It is richly decorated with engravings recounting moments from the Trojan War and the Labour of Heracles. Other notable exhibits include the triumphal sword of Duke Moritz ox Saxony, the tournament armour suite of Elector Augustus and the robes from the coronation ceremony of Augustus the Strong, as well as the horseshoe he allegedly broke with his bare hands. The Semperbau also houses the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister - an art gallery of the old masters who was gathered by the Saxon Electors. This one of the world’s best collection of Renaissance paintings, including works by the most famous Italian, German, Netherlandish and French artists. In the heart of the Altstadt is situated the Residenzschloss, the colossal Royal Palace where the Electors and King of Saxony resided. The castle was savagely destroyed in the British-American air raids and the government of GDR maid a little for its restoration. Since the reunification of Germany a multi-million rebuilding programme has been run to restore the Residenzschloss out of the ruins. A breathtaking panoramic view over the old town reveals from the tall tower of the palace - the Hausmannsturm. The Grünes Gewölbe or the Green Vault, which is one of the richest treasure collection in Europe, consisting of more than 1000 exponents from the Renaissance to Classicist period, gathered by the Electors and Kings of Saxony, is housed in the Spiegelzimmern (Mirror Rooms) of the Residenzschloss and open for visitors. The most fascinating objects are created by the chief jeweler of Augustus the Strong – Johann Dinglinger, under the strong influence of the Asian art. The most famous of his works is the gold and enamel coffee set which is one of the earliest of that kind as at the time of its creation the coffee drinking was just becoming a craze for the European nobility. Some rooms and hall in the Georgenbau of the palace are also opened for visitors, displaying temporary exhibitions related to the artistic, cultural and historical heritage of Dresden. Right next to the Residenzschloss is positioned the Hofkirche or the royal church. It is also known as the Cathedral of Dresden because here is the seat of the city’s Catholic bishop. This is the biggest church in Saxony, built by Friedrich August II, son and successor on the throne of Augustus the Strong. He wanted to emphasize his Catholic religion in the predominantly Protestant country. That's why Friedrich August II commissioned the Italian architect Gaetano Chiaveri to design the church. And he really created a very impressive and original rounded plan with advancing and receding walls, a roof adorned by a series of expressive statues and a magnificent campanile. There are guided tours in the chapels and the dynastic tombs in the crypt inside the Cathedral. The high altar is decorated by a large painting by Anton Raffael Mengs, depicting The Ascension. The side altar features two inspiring works by the same artist - The Immaculate Conception and the Dream of Joseph. The large statues of Augustine and Saints Ambrose, together with the exquisite frilly wooden pulpit were carved by Balthasar Permoser. The clear voiced organ was worked out by the famous master of the craft - Gottfried Silbermann. On the opposite side of the Theaterplatz, overlooking the Hofkirche, is the beautifully restored Italian Village where the Italian mason who built the Cathedral lived. Next to is the Sächsische Staatoper, more often called the Semperoper after the name of the architect who designed it. Here was performed the premiers of Wagner's and Strauss's most famous operas, including the Flying Dutchman, Tannhäuser, Elektra and Salome. Guided tours are organized for the visitors willing to see the interior the Semperoper. Tickets for performances are sold in the Neoclassical Schinkelwache next to the Zwinger. In south-east direction from the Hofkirche is located the parliament house of the Saxony federal state - the Landtag. Next to it is the Johaneum. This is a former stable, known for the exquisite frieze made of Meissen porcelain - the Fürstenzug, depicting a procession of the members of the Wettin dynasty. Opposite of the Johaneum is the Lange Gang or the Long Walk, which is a splendid Renaissance arcaded courtyard entered via the Schöne Pforte or the Beautiful Gateway. The larger part of the complex houses the Verkehrsmuseum (The Transport Museum), entered from the Neumarkt square. The latter is dominated by the wonderful Protestant domed church - the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady ). It has been designed by the very talented German Baroque architect George Bähr. This is one of the most beautiful Protestant churches, built as offset and rival to the Catholic Cathedral. After its almost complete destruction in the air bombing, the government of GDR decided to keep is in this condition as a reminder for the horrors of war. By the church were held annual peace meetings. After the reunification of Germany the Frauenkirche was rebuilt in the most faithful way, using the latest technology to reconstruct its original appearance, even reusing the original stones in there exact positions. Only about 10% of the entire church is new masonry. Free guided tours are daily organized around the Frauenkirche. Its crypt is open for visitors too. The area surrounding the church is very lively and rich in dining venues, bars and pleasant cafés. It is known as the Kneipenmile or the Bar Mile. The north side of Neumarkt Square is flanked by the large promenade along the picturesque southern bank of the River Elbe - the Brühlsche Terrasse. Here are located the Kasamatten. These are the underground part of the Renaissance fortification system of Dresden, built around the middle of 16th century following the most modern military technologies of the time. On the same promenade is located the Albertinium too. This is a building with impressive size, reflecting the Historicist movement in the German architecture. It houses one of the most celebrated art treasures of the city, including the Gemäldegallerie Neue Meister with paintings and sculpture works by artists from the 19th century onwards, a numismatic collection of ancient coins and medallions in the Münzkabinett and the Skulpturensammlung with Roman, Mannerist and Baroque sculptures. |
