Pillnitz Palace and Park
Sachsen
Pillnitz Palace and Park is a stunning Baroque castle complex located on the right bank of the River Elbe in Dresden, Germany. The site features three main buildings: the Riverside Palace and the Upper Palace, both exemplifying Baroque architecture with distinctive chinoiserie elements, and the Neoclassical New Palace which connects them. Originally a modest fortress in the 14th century, it was transformed into a royal summer residence in the 18th century under Augustus II the Strong. The palace complex is surrounded by expansive gardens including an English garden, a Chinese garden, and a large public park, making it a unique blend of European and Oriental styles. Today, it houses the Arts and Crafts Museum of the Dresden State Art Collections and a Palace Museum showcasing its rich history, royal kitchens, and a chapel adorned with frescoes by Carl Christian Vogel von Vogelstein. Visitors can enjoy the elegant riverside steps, historic interiors, and diverse exhibitions while exploring beautifully maintained grounds along the Elbe. The site remains a testament to Saxon royal heritage and Baroque garden design.
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Astuce: Visit during spring and early autumn for mild weather and vibrant garden displays. Purchase tickets online in advance to avoid queues, as combined admission grants access to all palace buildings and the park. The park remains open until dusk even after ticket offices close. Guided weekend tours are available and recommended for deeper insight into the palace's history and architecture. Discounts apply for children, seniors, and groups. Comfortable walking shoes are advised to explore the extensive grounds.
Faits intéressants
- •Pillnitz Palace was the site of the 1791 Declaration of Pillnitz, a significant diplomatic statement by European powers regarding the French Revolution.
- •The palace features the only neo-classical domed hall in Dresden, dating from 1823.
- •The royal kitchen in the New Palace exhibits original 19th-century cooking machines and utensils used to prepare meals for the Saxon royal family.
- •The gardens include a Chinese pavilion and an English pavilion, reflecting the 18th-century European fascination with Oriental and English garden styles.
- •The palace’s chinoiserie style is one of the finest examples of European interpretation of Chinese art and architecture in the Baroque period.
Histoire
The site of Pillnitz Palace dates back to a 14th-century residential fortress which evolved through the 16th and 17th centuries into a four-winged Renaissance building.
In 1694, it was acquired by the Wettin dynasty and later transformed by Augustus II the Strong into an ornate Baroque summer palace featuring chinoiserie style from 1720 onwards.
The Riverside and Upper Palaces were constructed between 1720 and 1725, with gardens laid out between them.
After a fire destroyed the Countess' palace in 1818, the Neoclassical New Palace was built between 1819 and 1826 by architect Christian Friedrich Schuricht.
Pillnitz served as the summer residence of Saxon electors and kings until 1918, preserving its royal heritage through centuries of architectural and garden development.
Guide du lieu
Riverside Palace (Wasserpalais)1720-1721
Built between 1720 and 1721, this Baroque palace sits on the Elbe riverbank and features elegant steps leading down to the water, designed by Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann. It showcases chinoiserie decorative elements and originally hosted riverside festivities for the Saxon court.
Upper Palace (Bergpalais)1722-1723
Constructed in 1722-1723 opposite the Riverside Palace, the Upper Palace mirrors its Baroque and chinoiserie style. It overlooks the gardens and was part of the original summer residence design by Augustus II the Strong.
New Palace (Neues Palais)1819-1826
Built between 1819 and 1826 after the Countess' palace burned down, this Neoclassical building connects the two older palaces. It houses the Palace Museum with its neo-classical domed hall, royal kitchen displaying historic cooking equipment, and a Catholic chapel decorated with frescoes by Carl Christian Vogel von Vogelstein.
Palace Park and Gardens
The surrounding park includes an English garden with an English pavilion, a Chinese garden with a Chinese pavilion and fountain pond, and an artificial ruin. The park also features the Triton gondola, a bronze bust of the goddess Juno, and the Pillnitz camellia, one of the oldest camellia plants in Germany.
Contact
Téléphone: 0351 2613260
