Volume 16 Issue 1 » 35
Augustus II built beautiful Zwinger Palace with the
Green Vault museum, which has long exhibited his
magnificent art treasures.
Embellished with vivid enamels, gold
and sparkling gems, the detailed model
of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s court is
incredible. showing his horse trampling the Luther
Rose. “This symbolizes his betrayal of
Protestantism to become Poland’s Catholic
King.” the corner. “Augustus II built that for
Countess Cosel, one of many mistresses,”
Anna winks. “Legend suggests he fathered
over 300 children!”
Outside, a porcelain tile mural equally
dazzles. Crafted in 1876, Parade of Nobles
pictures Saxony’s monarchs, scientists,
artisans, farmers and children who lived
between 1127 and 1904. Its first ruler,
Margrave of Meissen heads the 102-metre
procession. “Augustus II was very
ambitious,” Anna says, pointing to a panel In the enormous square, a large statue
of Martin Luther rises alongside 18th
century Frauenkirche. Some people enter
this magnificent Church of Our Lady
and climb its steeple for city panoramas.
Like us, others pause and listen to jazzy
melodies played on a public piano. A
resplendent yellow palace appears around After a festive sundeck lunch, we take a
scenic cruise along Dresden’s 18-kilometre
former World Heritage waterfront. The
excursion treats us with views of shoreline
parks, vineyards, castles and other glorious
18th century structures including Augustus
II’s gilt equestrian statue. Further along,
stands Japanisches Palais, an ornate palace
he built to store his collection of Japanese
porcelain.
Considered ‘Florence of the North,’ Dresden’s
waterfront boasts a glass-domed Academy of Arts,
lofty Church of Our Lady, elegant Dresden Cathedral
and wonderfully ornate Semperoper opera house.
Back at the dock, a bus shuttles us to Alte
Market to browse for handmade souvenirs
such as traditional lacework, wooden
toys and artisan sweets. Mouthwatering
Wienerschnitzel dinners end our rewarding
day.
The next morning, another motorcoach
whisks us through rolling green
countryside and picturesque villages
to 12th-century Königstein Castle. A
large elevator carries us swiftly atop this