Dresden Palace gets two ballrooms back

Another chapter in the reconstruction of the Dresden Residenzschloss, which was destroyed during the Second World War, has been completed. With the Ballroom and the Proposition Hall, the palace has regained two magnificent rooms. On Friday, they were handed over to the Dresden State Art Collections (SKD) for use. From April, they will be part of the new permanent exhibition entitled "Masks and Crowns. Festive Culture and the Representation of Power at the Dresden Court".

Reconstruction of the palace to cost a good 400 million euros

According to Saxony's Minister of Finance Christian Piwarz (CDU), the restoration of the two halls cost a total of around 21 million euros. 4.6 million of this came from the federal government, while the Free State of Saxony provided 16.4 million euros. By the time all areas of the Residenzschloss are completed in 2027, 407 million euros are expected to have been spent on the reconstruction. Piwarz spoke of a commitment to Saxony's cultural heritage.

Castle was an open war wound in the cityscape for four decades

For a good 40 years, the castle lay as a burnt-out ruin in the heart of the city - as an open war wound and at the same time as a reminder, said Piwarz. The decision to rebuild the palace was made during the GDR era. "The reconstruction of the neighboring Semper Opera House ultimately provided the decisive impetus and, above all, the courage to resurrect the palace as well." In doing so, the centuries-old history of the palace and the state was continued and a new chapter was added.

SKD boss: Reconstruction is a contract for future generations

SKD General Director Bernd Ebert thanked the clients and all donors, the architects and all the trades. "It was a feat of strength over the past decades and ultimately a contract for the next generations, because it is important for this generation to preserve this palace and to present our works of art - the cultural heritage of the Free State - in the best possible way." For the first time since the war, the sequence of rooms on the second floor will be fully accessible to the public again.

The reconstruction of the two halls is based on the historical renovation from 1838 to 1854, which is well documented in archive and construction documents. The restoration of the earlier gilding on the ceilings and walls as well as the monumental paintings was deliberately avoided.

Historical appearance, but no Disneyland

SKD boss Ebert addressed the question of how far one should go with a reconstruction today. The palace was not built in one fell swoop, but in a process spanning many years and centuries. Time and again, he said, you are faced with the decision: "At what time do you go where and how far back?" In this case, they succeeded. It has a historical feel, but not a Disneyland.

The forerunner of today's state parliament met in one of the halls

In the 19th century, the Proposition Hall was regarded as a central place of state power. The first Saxon constitution was presented here in 1831. Later, the room served as the throne room and meeting place of the predecessor of today's Saxon State Parliament. The Great Ballroom was once a stage for courtly festivities. After its destruction, only the outer walls and some parts of the wall cladding and stucco decoration remained - albeit badly damaged. Sculptors and plasterers reshaped ornaments and profiles.

With the completion of the construction work in the north wing, the redesign of the Great Palace Courtyard will continue this year. The final stage will be the extension of the rooms on the first floor of the east wing - the so-called Gothic Hall. An exhibition on the history of the residential palace will be on display there in future.