Zwinger

Dresden's world-famous landmark and palace, Zwinger, was built between 1710-32 by architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann and sculptor Balthasar Permoser. The imposing complex is made up of a crown gate, long, winding galleries, a walled pavilion and carillon. The French and German pavilions were originally designed as a venue for court festivities. In 1855, a Neo-Renaissance structure designed by Gottfried Semper was built on the north-eastern side. Today, the Semper Building contains, among other things, the Gallery of the Old Masters, with works by Dürer, Titian, Rubens and one of the most famous paintings in the world, the Sistine Madonna by Raphael. The breathtaking ensemble is completed by several royal tombstones, a pond and an idyllic park.