Dresden – Architecture

As Dresden had been a royal residence for the Electors and Kings of Saxony for so long, its architecture was always at the cutting edge of the times. It’s not only a Baroque and Rococo jewel box, but also has fine examples of Renaissance, Historism, Classicist, Modernism and Postmodernism styles on display.

As to be expected the royal buildings will give a most comprehensive view of the older styles: the Dresden Castle for example has existed since 1485 and had been renewed, expanded and restored so many times that it is a mix of at least three styles.

Another one, the Zwinger palace, shows the transition from military use (place for cannons between outer and major city walls) to entertainment, art and festival use by the court. Today that function has survived and it houses galleries and exhibition spaces.

Another group of imposing monuments are the sacred buildings scattered around the city. The most famous would have to be the Frauenkirche due to its destruction in WWII, the reconstruction and following association of peaceful protest in the GDR.

And, as to be expected, modern architecture is seen as controversial and highly debated amongst the people that have opposing views of what the development of the cityscape should do: preserve the old at all costs or develop the new or try to reconcile and have both live side-by-side.

Some ‘controversial’ examples of modern architecture would be the UFA Kristallpalast, an ultra modern cinema complex, the Transparent Factory of Volkswagen and the New Synagogue.

You can get a first hand impression of Dresden’s stunning and diverse architecture on your Active in Eastern Germany  tour.

 

Author: Petra Alsbach-Stevens