Renovation of the Dresden Zwinger courtyard nearing completion

The inner courtyard of the famous Dresden Zwinger, one of the Elbe city's tourist hotspots, is to be restored to its former beauty by the end of August. The refurbishment is in its final phase and most of it has been completed, said a spokesperson for the Saxon State Real Estate and Construction Management (SIB). Two of the four fountains have been renewed, the underground media construction has been completed and a new access ramp to the inner courtyard has been built.

The lawn and paths in the western half have been restored and larger areas have already been cleared. "Almost half of the western courtyard is accessible," said the SIB spokesperson. Manhole covers still have to be installed at the crown gate and the temporary surfaces replaced with sandstone surfaces. "Landscaping work is currently underway in the eastern half of the courtyard." The approved total construction costs currently stand at around 15.4 million euros.

The most important building of the late Baroque period

The Dresden Zwinger is considered the most important building of the late Baroque period and, with the Crown Gate, a symbol of the city. The ensemble of six pavilions as well as several arched galleries and a long gallery around the symmetrical courtyard was built between 1709 and 1728 by the architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann on behalf of Elector Augustus the Strong and designed by sculptor Balthasar Permoser.

Inaugurated in 1719 with the marriage of the Elector Prince to a Habsburg emperor's daughter in 1719, it served as a place of princely representation and courtly festivities as well as for storing the royal collections. A separate building lodge oversees the preservation of the complex: 1.2 kilometers of balustrades, 15,000 square meters of façade surface, terraces, staircases and 698 sculptures, most of which stand freely on balustrades, attics, in niches and on consoles.

Around 1.5 million euros per year for preservation

On average, the Free State invests around 1.5 million euros per year according to its own figures, for example in new elevators and better fire protection in the carillon pavilion. The remains of the previously only suspected baroque garden and traces of buildings dating back to the Middle Ages, which archaeologists uncovered during excavations parallel to the inner courtyard settlement, have been covered by the ground again. These include riding houses, the old kennel grotto and gardens.

From 1991 to 2024, around 222 million euros were invested in the restoration and maintenance of the ensemble, which also includes the Semper Gallery, built in the 19th century, which closed off the area to Theaterplatz, according to the SIB. Alongside the Semper Opera House, Frauenkirche and Residenzschloss, it is one of the tourist magnets of "Florence on the Elbe" - and is home to three museums of the State Art Collections.