Zwinger

The name 'zwinger' means 'interspace' and originates from its location between former city fortifications.
The Zwinger, with its large inner courtyard, was used for court festivities, tournaments and fireworks.

The complex was built between 1710 and 1732 after a design by Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann in collaboration with sculptor Balthasar Permoser. The Zwinger includes six pavilions connected by large galleries. The most impressive pavilions are the Rampart (wall) Pavilion and the Glockenspiel (carillon) pavilion.

The sculptured Rampart Pavilion is topped by a statue of Hercules. The almost symmetric Glockenspielpavilion at the other end of the courtyard was originally named Stadtpavilion but it was renamed after a carillon was installed between 1924 and 1936.

The best known feature of the Zwinger is the Kronentor or Crown Gate, a baroque gate topped by a large crown. The statues in the gate's niches represent the four seasons. Near the Rampart pavilion is the Nymphenbad, a small enclosed courtyard with a baroque fountain featuring numerous statues of nymphs and tritons.

Originally the Zwinger had only three wings, the courtyard opened up towards the Elbe river. After the completion of the Semper Opera House in 1841 Gottfried Semper closed the courtyard by adding a gallery in Renaissance style. Construction of this new wing started in 1847.
The wing is known as the Picture Gallery as it houses the Gemäldegalerie Alter Meister (Old Masters Gallery), a museum with top-class works from famous artists like van Dijck, Vermeer, Rubens, Titian and Raphael (the Sistine Madonna).
The wing also houses another museum, the Rüstkammer or Historical Museum, an armory with a large collection of weaponry from the 15th to the 18th century, including many weapons and harnesses used by the Saxon rulers.

There are several other museums in the Zwinger's other wings, including the Porzellansammlung, a porcelain collection, located in the gallery left of the Crown Gate.
The Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon, near the Rampart Pavilion is a museum displaying a collection of scientific instruments including sextants, clocks and globes.

The main entrance of the Zwinger complex is the Crown Gate at the Ostra-Allee, but you can also enter via the Theaterplatz through a passage in the Picture Gallery.