The administrative center of Saxony - the city of Dresden, is a historical and cultural monument in the open. The richest picturesque and sculptural collections, which are exhibited for general study in ancient buildings, attract the attention of tourists from all over the world. Therefore, many seek to visit the ancient city.
15 state art collections of Dresden constitute a single museum space, preserving the culture and memory of the past.
A bit of history
In 1560, the Kunstkamera was founded in Dresden, where treasures belonging to the old princely family of Vettins were stored.
In 1723, the Polish king, and part-time elector of Saxony, Augustus the Strong, divided the existing collection into 9 thematic departments, and also ordered the addition of a new building. By order of Augustus the Strong, part of the collection was open to visitors who could admire luxurious exhibits.
During the Second World War, museum collections were stored in the Königstein fortress, so they did not die during the numerous bombardments of Dresden. The government of the USSR in 1958 returned them to the new state - the GDR.
Museums and buildings
All state art collections of Dresden are located in unique ancient buildings, which in themselves are of historical and artistic value.
Among them is the Residence of the Kings, a palace or a castle - one of the oldest buildings in Saxony, dating from the beginning of the XIII century. Now you can see the treasury and its interiors in the Historical Green Arches, the rooms of numismatics and prints, the Armory and the Turkish Chambers, the library.
Zwinger is a former greenhouse, which was located next to the fortress wall, which is why it became known as Zwinger, i.e. the fortress. The complex is made in the Baroque style, it is surrounded by gardens, sculptural groups adorn, pavilions and fountains attract attention in the park. It contains:
- world-famous Dresden art gallery (also known as the Gallery of Old Masters);
- collection of sculptures;
- porcelain;
- Physics and Mathematics Salon;
- Museum of Geology.
The Albertinum building in the neo-Renaissance style is named after King Albert (ruled Saxony at the end of the 19th century). It houses the Picture Gallery of new masters and a collection of sculptural works.
Finally, the suburban residence of Pilnitz, it consists of 3 palaces - Novy, Nagorny and Vodny, whose steps descend to the waters of the Elbe. The buildings were erected in the style of classicism, they are surrounded by an English park. In Pilnitsa are the Castle Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.
The state art collections of Dresden also include the Museum of Saxon Folk Art and the collection of puppet theater, the Museum of Ethnology in the Japanese Palace.
Mode of operation
The museums of the palace-residence operate according to individual schedules from 10 to 18 hours:
- Turkish and Armory chambers, engraving cabinet closed on Tuesday.
- The numismatic office does not work on Thursday.
- New and Historic Green Arches, as well as an art gallery weekend on Tuesday.
Zwinger's museums receive visitors from 10 to 18, Monday is a day off. Children under 17 years pass free of charge, for the rest the ticket will cost 10 euros.
Albertinum does not work on Monday, and on other days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The state art museums of Dresden operate on a different schedule, this must be taken into account when drawing up an excursion program.
The most remarkable
Museums store amazing things, it will take more than one day to carefully examine all the expositions. But in every State Art Collection of Dresden there is certainly something special, and if you do not pay attention to it, then the museum trip can be considered not held.
The green arches of the Palace amaze the imagination with exquisite jewelry, glitter of gold and precious stones. The collection contains more than 1 thousand items, among them:
- white and green diamonds weighing 48 and 41 carats;
- royal jewelery sets;
- amber cabinet;
- coffee set made of gold, ivory and 5,600 diamonds;
- table composition "Palace Reception", consisting of 137 miniature figures.
The historical interior of the Green arches of the residence represents 3 thousand objects, but, in addition, it is interesting as a vivid example of the architecture of the Renaissance.
In the Armory - swords and swords, images of tournaments and historical costumes, in the Turkish Chamber - more than 600 objects demonstrate achievements of Ottoman art.
The engraving cabinet surprises one of the world's largest collections of prints, photographs, drawings, collected over 800 years - only half a million creations, including works by Michelangelo and Durer, Rembrandt and Picasso.
The collection of the Numismatic cabinet - 300 thousand orders, coins, awards.
Art museums in Dresden, including the Dresden Art Gallery, contain such rarities as the Sistine Madonna, paintings by Rubens, Vermeer, Titian.
A collection of globes, including the 13th-century Iranian globe, as well as optics and astronomical instruments, are presented in Zwinger.
You can admire the finest Meissen porcelain and the works of Chinese and Japanese masters in the porcelain museum.
Conclusion
Museums of Dresden are not in vain included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. These are magnificent architectural samples and unique collections of cultural heritage.