16941694–1733 · Dresden

Augustus the Strong and baroque Dresden

Bernardo Bellotto's painting of the Zwinger courtyard in Dresden, ringed by baroque pavilions and galleries — Archival image: Bernardo Bellotto. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Frederick Augustus I, Elector of Saxony, who converted to Catholicism to win election as King of Poland in 1697, made Dresden one of Europe's showcase courts. He had the Zwinger built for festivals and his collections, and opened the Green Vault treasury in his palace to selected visitors. His spending shaped the Elbe skyline that burned in 1945 and has since been rebuilt.

Sites

Site 1: ZwingerBaroque pavilions and galleries around a festival courtyard, now housing the porcelain collection and Old Masters.Map ↗
Site 2: Historic Green Vault, ResidenzschlossThe treasury rooms Augustus opened to visitors, shown much as he arranged them.Map ↗
Site 3: Moritzburg CastleHis hunting lodge on an artificial island north of the city.Map ↗

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