Traditional Museums of Dresden

Thursday December 23^rd and Monday December 27^th days at the museums in Dresden!

Thursday is a “warm” day in Dresden.  It is about 35 degrees and sunny.  My first visit is to The Dresden Fortress.  This is an underground museum that explains and illustrates the structures that protect the city in its very early years.  I was somehow taken back to seventh grade social studies class and the diorama I had to make of a fortress.  I of course was doing mine at the last minute and failed to appreciate the amount of work that went into protecting cities from intruders in those days.  I am also reminded that there were no cranes or back hoes to help with this process.  The walls in places are two feet thick.  There are spiral staircases; cannon yards, ramparts and yes even a bathroom…..if you can call this a bathroom.

I guess you do what you have to do. 



Being from Richmond and remembering Tropical storm Gaston this next image caught my attention too……it shows the high water marks through the years.   This museum cost 4 Euros and includes an audio guide in English.   I felt it was a worthwhile trip.   

I walk across the courtyard to The New Albertinum which boasts the New Masters Gallery and reflects art from Romanticism to the Present.  There are three floors of interesting painting and statues to review.  The cost is 8 Euros which includes the audio guide. 
Here is a picture of the outside of the building…….you can’t take pictures inside.

Monday is a bright sunny day…..but a little on the chilly side so I bundle up and head out to see the Zwinger which is supposed to be A Midsummer night’s Dream in Versailles Style per the literary scholar

Hermann Hetter.  I am also going to see the Historishces Grunes Gewolbe, Nuees Grunes Gewolbe and the Munzkabinett and the Turckische Cammer.  Translation, the historic Green Vault, New Green Vault, Coin Cabinett and Turkish Chamber in the Armoury.    I take the #3 tram to Albertplatz and then the # 8 tram to “Theaterplazt”.  To my right are the Opera house and the Zwinger.  Even with 8 inches of fresh snow and never being at Versailles I can image the Zwinger would be a Midsummer night’s dream.  The place is breath taking.  The historic Green Vault and New Green Vault are full or treasures from an era past.   The era is the Baroque era….1600-1750……...more on that later this week….

February 21, 2011 update….I have now seen Zwinger without the snow and it is truly beautiful. 

All my best,

Jill