Green Vault - The Creative Adventurer https://thecreativeadventurer.com A Travel Guide for Exploring the World Tue, 31 Jan 2023 15:51:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://i0.wp.com/thecreativeadventurer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/cropped-NewCreativeAdventurerLogo_250x250_v1.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Green Vault - The Creative Adventurer https://thecreativeadventurer.com 32 32 171399271 The Most Instagrammable Places in Dresden, Germany https://thecreativeadventurer.com/the-most-instagrammable-places-in-dresden-germany/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-most-instagrammable-places-in-dresden-germany https://thecreativeadventurer.com/the-most-instagrammable-places-in-dresden-germany/#comments Fri, 23 Aug 2019 12:21:00 +0000 https://thecreativeadventurer.com//the-most-instagrammable-places-in-dresden-germany/ Dresden I think is one of the most underrated cities in Europe. I went for the history but fell in love with the city is every way and was shocked by how wonderful this place was. Dresden was nicknamed the “Florence of the North” and stood as the first spot of power in Germany for decades. Dresden drew architects from all over the world who threw their artistry into the walls of the city. But such power came with a cost and in WWII Dresden was bombed almost beyond recognition. After the fall of the wall in the 1980s, an enormous restoration effort was put into place to rebuild the city. Today we can visit an almost perfect recreation of Dresden as it was in the 18th century. While some people find this to be a bit like a living museum, that’s exactly what I like about it! Here are some of my favourite photo locations which Instagram savvy travellers must visit on their next trip to Dresden! There is a google map at the bottom of this post you can use to find each and every location mentioned on the list.

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]]> I think Dresden is one of the most underrated cities in Europe. I went for the history but fell in love with the city is every way and was shocked by how incredible this place was and why everyone wasn’t flocking to it. Dresden is sometimes called the “Florence of the North”. The city was actually once the most powerful state in Germany. Dresden drew artists and architects from all over the world who threw their creativity onto the walls of the city. But such power came with a cost and in WWII, Dresden was bombed almost beyond recognition. After the fall of the wall in the 1980s, an enormous restoration effort was put into place to rebuild the city. Today we can visit an almost perfect recreation of Dresden as it was in the 18th century.

While some people find this to be a bit like a living museum, that’s exactly what I liked. I always try to imagine what these ancient cities would have felt like in their day but here in Dresden you actually get a taste of what that might have been like – but with wifi. The city is both bursting with gorgeous architecture but also has its fair share of cute cafes, bars and restaurants ideal for instagrammers. Here are some of my favourite locations that photo savvy travellers must visit on their next trip to Dresden! There is a google map at the bottom of this post you can use to find each and every location mentioned on the list.

Table Of Contents
  1. Old Masters Gallery
  2. Coselpalais
  3. Brühl’s Terrace
  4. Münzgasse 
  5. Zwinger
  6. The Royal Palace
  7. Procession of Princes
  8. Royal Stables
  9. Neumarkt
  10. Pfunds Molkieri
  11. Neustadt Street Art
  12. Kunsthof Passage
  13. Cinema Thalia
  14. Yenidze
  15. Stammhaus

Old Masters Gallery

The Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (or Old Masters Gallery) is honestly the best art gallery I ever had the pleasure of visiting. It doesn’t feel too big nor too small. It’s like a grand old home that someone has decorated with exquisite pieces of arts — a stellar collection that’s lovingly curated. While it may seem much smaller than the Louvre or the Prado, there are over 700 paintings on display, all ranging from the 15th to 18th century. Treasures from major Italian Renaissance artists, Dutch and Flemish masters and other works by German, French and Spanish painters combine to form this hidden gem in Dresden. Standing amongst these iconic images feels like standing inside a great storybook and makes for such an incredible photo.

Coselpalais

Food and architecture fans will find common ground here at the Coselpalais. The old palace has been reconstructed in late Baroque style and now serves as a charming little cafe and restaurant in the old town. The original building was built in 1550 and looks like a buttercream yellow castle out of Beauty and the Beast. Grab a latte, and a fanciful teacake served on the iconic Meissen porcelain and enjoy the views all around you on the patio under the blue skies. If you’re looking to try a traditional German dessert, order up to the apple cake with streusel!

Brühl’s Terrace

Brühl’s Terrace is known as the Balcony of Europe. It is an enormous platform that stretches along the shores of the Elbe River. Here you’ll see both tourists and locals alike, strolling down the promenade enjoying the fantastic views. The terrace was once built as a fort to protect the city from invaders, but in the 19th century, it was transformed into this lovely pedestrian walkway. Along this riverside path, you’ll see framed the iconic skyline of the city and gorgeous flowerbeds colouring the grey concrete. During the holidays this is a great place to come for pop-up markets, especially exciting during Christmas time!

Münzgasse 

Münzgasse is a street just across from the Elbe River which feels almost too curated to be real. The two blocks of apartments flanking the road frame the stunning Frauenkirche perfectly. Walking down the street feels like stepping into a painting. On either side of the pedestrian street are various touristy restaurants which are not worth your money but do provide the the backdrop for this stunning scene.

Zwinger

The Zwinger is to this day one of the most incredible baroque buildings in Germany. It was built for Augustus II the Strong, who had been inspired by King Louis XIV. He had returned from a visit to his new court of Versaille and was eager to create a similar elaborate palace for himself. But this was would be located in his hometown of Dresden.

The Zwinger was built in the late baroque style called ‘Rococo’. The Rococo style embraced curves and elaborate ornaments but amped-up the drama. Rococo added a sense of play to the designs. Rococo designers felt that architecture should have a sense of motion, and they used dramatic curves, which made the viewer feel as though the building was alive. The Rococo style loved to emphasize piety. Plants and vines are featured prominently, carved into so many parts of the Zwinger. Construction began in 1710 and it took over 18 years to be completed. Anywhere you look here there are gorgeous shots to be found. Since the Zwinger is so large it’s easy to find more private spaces, ideal for framing that perfect shot.

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is one of the oldest buildings in Dresden, originally built around 1200. Additional wings were constructed over the years, creating an almost patchwork quilt of architecture styles from Renaissance to Baroque and Romanesque. These days, the royal family no longer resides inside. Instead, the building contains a museum complex where you can explore the treasury, the armory and even see collections of prints and drawings as well as old photographs of Dresden before the bombing. The exterior of the Palace is where the real visual treat lies. It’s fascinating to see this Palace so integrated with the rest of the city, instead of walled off like so many other royal residences around Europe.

Procession of Princes

Along Schloßstraße, you’ll find one of the greatest remnants of old Dresden, the Procession of Princes. This 101-meter long porcelain portrait depicts the entire history of Dresden through the men who built, controlled, governed and sparked new thoughts and ideas within it. It features Dukes, Electors, Kings and other leading figures from the arts and sciences. This is the world’s largest porcelain artwork. The mural was first installed in 1871 and took more than five years to complete. Shockingly enough this mural withstood the great Dresden bombing of WWII. It suffered minimal damage and was a beacon of hope to the people of Dresden after the war. Today its still one of the most striking images you can find in the city.

Royal Stables

Just down from the Procession of Princes is the Stallhof und Langer Gang or Royal Stables. These stables were used as the location for horse tournaments since the 15th century. Some of the most exciting jousting activities took place here and where the who’s who of Germany elite came to be entertained. Today, the stalls are the site of the Dresden Christmas Market. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during the holiday season, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most magical sights in the world. There really is nothing like a Christmas market in Europe when the snow is falling and catches the twinkling fairy lights as it touches the ground. But throughout the rest of the year the architectural curves and the effect of the light in the arcade is out of this world!

Neumarkt

The Neumarkt is the cultural centre of the Dresden’s historic district. The original Neumarkt was designed in the German Baroque style. Baroque designers loved pastel colours, not just on their frescos; but everywhere they could put them. Today it feels like walking through a miniature buttercream village. Standing in the center of the square is the iconic Frauenkirche, which was completely destroyed during a bombing run in WWII. But after the bombs had fell, hundreds of volunteer collected the burn rumble from the original church and stored it away, waiting for the day it would be rebuilt. And it was, and used many piece of that original structure which so many people help preserve for future generations.

Pfunds Molkieri

Pfunds Molkieri, covered floor to ceiling in the most incredible tiles and Meissen porcelain, is the oldest dairy shop in East Germany. Built in 1879 this shop was the first place where German’s could buy high-quality, concentrated milk. Although the dairy was mostly destroyed in WWII, the family made sure to rebuild in the exact same fashion as the original. Now, visitors can come to see and taste the extraordinary place which is Pfunds Molkieri. Guests can try different kinds of milk from farms across Germany as well as cheese, wines and more!

Neustadt Street Art

While most of the historical parts of Dresden were destroyed in WWII, the “new” town built across the river was spared from the destruction as it proved no real military threat to the attackers. This meant that despite being called “new town” the structures here are actually older than the reconstructions found in the “old town”. Neustadt or “new town” remains a bohemian stronghold in Dresden and even today is where you can find some of the coolest shops, bars and exciting nightlife. But if those things aren’t for you, just wandering the streets is a feast for the eyes. Neustadt has become a popular neighbourhood for local street artists who bring otherwise boring walls to life with colours, textures and even sculptural details. You can find some of the most lively street art found anywhere in Dresden right here.

Kunsthof Passage

Inside the walls of Neustadt, you’ll find the famous Kunsthof Passage. These dreamlike courtyards come from the visionary mind of various Dresden artists who turned these empty spaces into an art experiment. There are four different themed courtyards to visit; Elements, Animals, Light, and Metamorphoses. Each one features strange and intriguing details which draw in your eye and ask your to question what you’re looking at. In the Courtyard of the Elements, you’ll find a piece inspired by the Rube Goldberg Machine which turns rainfall in a symphonic orchestra! Even without rain it’s a gorgeous work of art to admire.

Cinema Thalia

Inside the inner walls of the Neustadt, you’ll find one of the oldest cinemas still standing in Germany. Built in 1889, Cinema Thalia once used to host people from all over Dresden, and at one time the cinema would extend into what is now the beer garden to hold over 700 people! After being destroyed in 1945, it lay dormant, untouched by the modern era until it was plucked from obscurity in 2004 and returned to live as a hipster mecca. The large theatre was transformed into a cafe and cinema where, and until 2008, people were still allowed to smoke, hence the name on the front “Cinema. Coffee and Cigarettes”. Today it’s still a gorgeous icon east German, retro design.

Yenidze

To experience one of the most unique beer gardens in the city and catch a stunning view across Dresden, head over to Yenidze. From afar you might think that this building is an Ottoman mosque, but originally it was actually a tobacco factory. Built in 1907 by Hugo Zietz, the Yenidze tobacco company, was designed in “oriental” style to recall the “exotic origins of tobacco”. The chimney used to process smoke from the factory was incorporated into the architecture as a fake minaret. Today, the building is used as an office but the top floor is home to an incredible restaurant with rooftop views across the city and over to the mountains in the distance.

Stammhaus

The most iconic picture from Germany must be of a beer hall, and the Stammhaus in the centre of Dresden is one of the best! This brewery dates all the way back to 1858! Inside the new three-story restaurant, beer gardens and bar are antiques collected by the brewing family from over the years. The food is as traditional as you can get and it all washes down deliciously with a glass of Feldschlößchen Pilsner or Zwickelbier. Sitting in the restaurant, you feel like you’re dining inside a piece of Dresden’s history! My favourite visual of the restaurant is the giant copper brewing lid which serves as a roof atop the bar!

Dresden is such a wonderful place to explore and get away from the crowds which you’ll find in more popular cities across Germany like Berlin and Munich. It’s still that untapped gem which only those in the know are want to find. If you’re interested in explore more of Dresden, check out my guided walking tour which will take your across old town to discover the history and people who helped created this amazing city. Let me know if you’ve visited Dresden before and what your favourite photo spot was on your last trip to Florence of the North.

Happy Travels Adventurers!

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]]> https://thecreativeadventurer.com/the-most-instagrammable-places-in-dresden-germany/feed/ 1 1007 An Insider’s Guide to Exploring Dresden’s Amazing Historic Green Vault https://thecreativeadventurer.com/dresdens-hidden-treasures-the-green-vault/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dresdens-hidden-treasures-the-green-vault https://thecreativeadventurer.com/dresdens-hidden-treasures-the-green-vault/#respond Tue, 12 Sep 2017 14:10:47 +0000 https://thecreativeadventurer.com//dresdens-hidden-treasures-the-green-vault/ The first place I wanted to visit in Dresden was the fabled "Green Vault".  The Green Vault or *Grünes Gewölbe* is Europe's largest collection of precious, historical treasures. It was the first public museum in all of Europe featuring a collection of crown jewels, royal bowls carved out of crystal, agate and ivory, golden figurines with multicoloured gems inlaid within and the ‘Dresden Green’ - the largest green diamond in the world. When walking up to the Green Vault, I suppose you expect to see a big green building but in fact, the gallery got its name a different way. During it's original construction, the columns and bases which held up the vaulted ceiling were all painted green - giving the entire place an Emerald city like vibe.

The post An Insider’s Guide to Exploring Dresden’s Amazing Historic Green Vault first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

]]> Upon arriving in Dresden, my first destination was the fabled Green Vault. The Green Vault or Grünes Gewölbe, is Europe’s largest collection of precious historical treasures. It was the first public museum in all of Europe to feature a collection of crown jewels from. Also included in this royal collection, are amazing prizes only imagined in pirate hordes. Bowls carved out of crystal, agate and ivory, golden figurines with multicoloured gems and the most impressive green diamond in the world. It’s truly a jewel box that visitors always walk away from in awe and wonder. It is truly one of the greatest museums in Germany and one you definitely have to visit on your next trip to Dresden!

Although you might expect the vault to be coloured green, the name comes from an altogether different reference. During its construction, the columns and bases that held up the vaulted ceiling inside were painted green. Hence the name the “Green Vault.” A German Emerald city.

Table Of Contents
  1. History
  2. Tickets
  3. The Great Green Vault Robbery 
  4. The Vorgewölbe (Entrance Foyer)
  5. The Bernsteinkabinett (Amber Cabinet)
  6. The Elfenbeinzimmer (Ivory Room)
  7. The Weißsilberzimmer (Silver Room or White Silver Room)
  8. The Silbervergoldete Zimmer (Silver Gilt Room)
  9. The Pretiosensaal (Pretiosa Room or Hall of Treasures)
  10. The Wappenzimmer (Coats of Arms Room, Heraldry Room)
  11. The Juwelenzimmer (Jewel Chamber)
  12. The Bronzezimmer (Bronze Room)

History

Augustus the Strong was the ruler of Saxony and lived in Dresden in the 18th century. Augustus was a very wealthy man and adored his city. He spent time, money and effort to make Dresden the jewel of all Europe. The King wanted the best artists from all over the world to congregate there to live, work and create commissions for his kingdom.

old photo scan, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Today, Dresden is not as well known as Florence or Berlin, but in the 18th century, it was referred to as the Venice of the Elbe. Augustus’ had some of the finest jewellers, metalworkers and artists working round the clock to create treasures that would rival any royal collection worldwide. But the treasurer’s served a practical purpose in addition to looking so beautiful. They were an expression of wealth and absolutist power to any visiting officials that spoke volumes of Dresden’s regime.

WWII

Dresden was very heavily bombed during WWII. But early warnings allowed the King’s men to hide the treasures in a fortress far away from the ruined city. Alas, this did not keep them safe forever. When the Red Army invaded, they stole the collection and brought it as a prize to Moscow and Kyiv. After years and years of negotiation, the pieces were returned to Dresden.

During the years of negotiation, the city of Dresden set about reconstructing the Green Vault. And in 2005, the collections and restored interiors were returned to the public. The baroque galleries and ornate displays have all been rebuilt in the same brilliant style. Today, you can walk through the rooms just as hundreds of people have done years before.

Tickets

The lineup for tickets to these galleries was intense. Only so many tickets are allotted per hour to limit the number of people they let inside. To ensure you get to visit, you can always buy your tickets online in advance. You can buy a single ticket to the Green Vault or a combined ticket to the Royal Palace that will also get you admission to the New Green Vault, Turkish Chamber, Renaissance Wing, Hall of the Giants, Royal State Apartments of August the Strong and the Porcelain Cabinet, Firearms Gallery and special exhibitions in the Kupferstich-Kabinett.

Prices: Green Vault Adults €14.00 | Combined Ticket €24.50

We arrived a little before our designated ticket time, so we enjoyed our coffee while perusing the large art bookstore inside the museum. This place was a dream; there were hundreds of art books, paper doll collections, postcards, jewellery pieces, and more. It was probably my favourite bookstore we visited on our entire trip. I could have just lived here.

The Great Green Vault Robbery 

Another reason that they are so strict about limiting the numbers inside the green vault is due to the modern-day robbery that took place here in 2019. On November 25th, a collection of royal jewellery was stolen from the museum. Included in the heist was a 49-carat Dresden White Diamond, the diamond-laden breast star of the Polish Order of the White Eagle, which belonged to the King of Poland, a hat clasp with a 16-carat diamond, a diamond epaulette, and a diamond-studded hilt containing nine large and 770 smaller diamonds, along with a matching scabbard. Thankfully, the collection’s most significant treasure, the green diamond, was away on loan at the MET Gallery in New York.

The worth of stolen items was valued at over €1 billion! But it was the cultural significance that was truly priceless. The Green Vault closed its doors to the public after the theft. Thankfully, in 2022 thirty-one of the stolen items were recovered by the German authorities. Today, the museum plans to reopen in February 2023 to allow guests back inside to see the collection again.

The Vorgewölbe (Entrance Foyer)

Before entering the museum, you must enter a large waiting room, which features an introductory audio program. Also in this room are various pieces from the collection that aren’t currently displayed in the gallery. Also in this gallery are photos of the Green Vault taken before WWII. This gives you an idea of the extent of destruction and reconstruction required to bring this place back to life after the Dresden bombings.

Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Also included in the waiting area, are a collection of enamel works from Limoges and other ceramics that date back to the Middle Ages and early Renaissance.

No Photo Policy

You are not allowed to take pictures inside the gallery. A policy which always pains me. But especially after the rubbery, they are so careful about the security of this precious museum. But in not allowing you to take photos, you are forced to truly immerse yourself without distraction into exploring the collection.

The Displays

When it was time to enter the gallery, you approached a set of glass doors with your ticket and were quickly given a once-over by security. Then you walk through a dust-proof double door which sucks out all the air from your entering before opening the second set of doors. This is because everything isn’t behind glass when you are in the gallery. The tiny pieces of the collection are displayed on gilt shelves, which hover like flying carpets against mirrored walls, just as the King once displayed them.

The Bernsteinkabinett (Amber Cabinet)

The first room you enter after exiting the spaceship-like dust-proof room is the Bernsteinkabinett or the Amber Cabinet room. The exhibit includes 16th-century vessels, bowls, ceremonial cutlery and statuettes produced in the amber workshops in Königsberg and Danzig. Amber art was thought to be the most luxurious of all the art forms, so it was no surprise that it found its way into royal chambers.

The King of Prussia gave many of the pieces to Augustus the Strong. Prussia was then famous for its skilled Amber sculptures. The small Amber Cabinet, the showpiece of this room, was one of those gifts. Its incredible handwork is astonishing. The tiny amber drawers with inlaid gold are fantastic. There is something about Amber’s art that is transfixing. It swirls and changes shape as the light reflects upon its glasslike surface.

The Elfenbeinzimmer (Ivory Room)

After the Amber room, you enter the Elfenbeinzimmer (the Ivory Room). Save for a few numbered plaques, this room almost doesn’t feel like a museum. It only feels like you’re walking through a beautiful house you’ve been invited into. The small groups allow the space not to feel overcrowded. Everyone respects the silence, and despite being a touristy place, it does feel relatively peaceful.

Atop all the shelves were a variety of small carved statues made from pure ivory. The ivory towers with impossibly tiny spirals inside are still one of the most amazing pieces of art and engineering. I cannot imagine how skilful and still those hands who made that must be. The bright white ivory is set against dark terracotta marble and a rich red and black tiled floor. Creating the most luxurious juxtaposition.

The Weißsilberzimmer (Silver Room or White Silver Room)

The next room is the Weißsilberzimmer (the White Silver Room). This room displays some of the finest examples of silver plates, flatware, buffets, oversized silver vessels and large pieces for dinner service from Augustus the Strong. This room is painted floor-to-ceiling emerald green and trimmed in gold to contrast the silver on display. The vaulted ceilings are bright white and accented with elaborate details.

These silver pieces are some of the best examples of silversmith artwork from the 17th and 18th centuries. You won’t see any pieces in here from the 19th century, as most silver from that era was melted down to fund the crown’s dwindling bank account. One of the most important treasures from this room is a solid gold drinking bowl from Ivan the Terrible. One of Augustus’ prized possessions.

Along one wall, are shelves are dedicated to the gold ruby glass of the royal palace. Its dark red colour pops against the green walls. The red colour was produced by adding gold chloride as it cooked. The ruby glass was frequently associated with magical powers. Coral was also thought to have magical properties and, as such, was incorporated into many silver gilt designs from the 17th-18th century.

The Silbervergoldete Zimmer (Silver Gilt Room)

As you pass through the Emerald green of the White Silver Room, you come upon the Silbervergoldete Zimmer (the Silver Gilt Room). In contrast to the previous one, this room is painted a deep vermillion. The mirrors in this room are smaller but formed into various baroque shapes. This room features gilded silver pieces, gold drinking vessels, and carved figurines. Most figurines feature Greek myths’ stories, but some also feature historical figures.

One of the most striking pieces in this room is a jewellery box made of gilded silver, mother of pearl and precious stones. It was a Christmas gift that Christian I gave his wife Sophie in 1585. Inside the lid of the box was once a tiny clock, but only fragments of the clock have been preserved. One can only imagine which precious jewels Sophie kept inside this box.

The Pretiosensaal (Pretiosa Room or Hall of Treasures)

As you enter the next room, you immediately notice that this is the largest of all the rooms. This is the Pretiosensaal (Hall of Treasures). This room reminded me greatly of the Chandelier Gallery in Versaille.

It was not as big as Versaille, perhaps, but even more opulent. Along each wall, from floor to ceiling, were gilded ostrich eggs, nautilus and sea snails set in silver, vessels made of coloured gems and ambers, microscopic portraits inlaid onto ornate cherry wood boxes and even rock crystal bowls decorated with Grecian heroines.

Precious Crystals

In the Middle ages, rock crystal was believed to have magical powers. I think you can see a theme emerging. The King wanted the finest things in his collection and anything that would perhaps imbue him with more power. Since crystals were thought to be pure, it was thought to symbolize God and the purity of the Virgin Mary.

But not everyone was on board with these thoughts. In fact, some found these jewels to be an affront to God. As nothing should be worshipped aside from God himself. Saxony was one of the wealthiest countries of the time, and they loved showing off their wealth anywhere they could. This resulted in the creation of some of these outlandish drinking vessels. There were glasses made from ostrich eggs and sea snail shells, goblets made of mother of pearl, and even coconuts inlaid with gemstones. These were considered the devil’s inventions and deplored by God in Heaven by many monks who served the King.

The Wappenzimmer (Coats of Arms Room, Heraldry Room)

The Wappenzimmer (the Heraldry Room) features copper and gilded coats of arms of the Saxon provinces, the Polish state coat of arms and the original plates of the House of Wettin electorates. This room serves as a nice break from the overwhelming decor of the previous rooms. Some of these coats of arms still bare the damage from the WWII bombings. And you can see the burnt metal’s edges almost peeling away. This an excellent example of how fire can burn through almost anything.

The Juwelenzimmer (Jewel Chamber)

Up next is the Juwelenzimmer (Jewel Chamber). Here are the crown jewels of the Saxon-Polish royalty. This was the room that was the target of the 2019 burglary. Behind solid glass are golden pendants, necklaces and rings, electoral swords and modern gem sets. The room looks like a bedazzled royal coat of arms. Blue and crimson walls are decorated with ornamental fields of mirrors and covered in gold engravings.

Dresden Green Diamond

In this room, the real crown jewel of the Green Vault can be viewed. It is the impossibly rare Dresden Green Diamond, a massive, naturally irradiated gem from India. The diamond is embedded in a statue called the “Moor with Emerald Cluster” or the “Jewel Garniture” and the “Obeliscus Augustalis.” It is a flawless hunk of green carbon, unfined and perfect. Augustus was obsessed with possessing rare and precious stones. He was so impressed with this gem that he didn’t want to ruin its natural state and therefore commissioned statuettes designed to carry the precious stone.

Sapphire Collection

One of my favourite pieces from the gem room is the Sapphire collection. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Sun King Louis XIV started a trend of making jewellery designed in a uniform style. This meant that buttons, buckles, weapons, snuff boxes, pocket watches, hat decorations and more all possessed reflected the same designs and detailing. This attire gave the impression of absolute uniformity throughout the monarchy and the royal family. For Augustus, he did so with his signature Dresden Sapphires.

The Bronzezimmer (Bronze Room)

The final room is the Raum der Renaissance bronzes (Room of Renaissance Bronzes). It features some large, bronze sculptures from the 17th century.

Dresden’s Green Vault offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the world’s most magnificent collections of treasures. From its stunning Baroque architecture to its sparkling jewels, intricate enamels, and precious goldsmith works, the Green Vault is a testament to the skill and artistry of the master craftsmen of centuries past. Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of fine art, or simply looking for an exceptional experience, a visit to the Green Vault is an absolute must! If you’ve visited before, let me know your favourite part of the collection.

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

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