Zwinger

Dresden Old Town
Dresden
Saxony
Germany

Type: Landmark

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Augustus the Strong planned an Orangery but his talented architect Matthäus Pöppelmann gave him a Baroque masterpiece of galleries, arcades and pavilions instead. The resulting Zwinger became a glorious pavilion for entertainment purposes and a highlight of any visit to Dresden. It never served as a residence and it was never intended as such. Although damaged in World War II, it was largely restored by the mid-1960s. It currently houses several major museums and galleries. Admission is charged for the museums but not for the exterior, arcades, or courtyard.

The four pavilions of the Zwinger form a large rectangular courtyard with two semi-elliptical extensions. The courtyard garden has a simple Baroque layout. The entrance to the courtyard is via four distinct gates in the center of each of the four wings. Approaching from the Semper Opera, the Semperbau is the newest of the four wings. It was only completed in the mid-19th century in a High Renaissance style to the design of Semper. Most of the rest of the Zwinger was completed between 1709 and 1732 in a Baroque style.

Directly opposite the Semperbau is the main entrance, the Kronentor (Crown Gate). It is adorned by a large crown carried by four Polish eagles symbolizing the dual role of Augustus as Prince Elector of Saxony and King of Poland.

While facing Kronentor, to the right is the Wallpavillon (Rampart Pavilion), which serves as a staircase to the upper arcades. It is a fine symbiosis of architecture and sculpture and more art than construction. The numerous statues are from Greek mythology and include Herkulus Saxonicus carrying the globe and the weight of the world on his shoulders. From here, it is possible to access the upper arcades of most of the three older wings. To the right of the Wallpavilion is the French Pavilion housing the Nymphenbad (Bath of the Nymphs) with a grotto, fountains, and several sensuous feminine sculptures.

In the opposing semi-elliptical wing is the Glockenspielpavillon (Carillon Pavilion). Its carillon of Meißen porcelain, although envisioned by Pöppelmann, was only completed in 1936.