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Photo: Sebastian Terfloth User:Sese_Ingolstadt, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Referred to colloquially as the Staatskapelle Dresden, it is one of the oldest orchestras in the world, founded in 1548. Its home venue is the Semperoper. The principal conductor is Daniele Gatti.
The Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, or Saxon State Orchestra Dresden, is one of the oldest orchestras in the world, created by order of Maurice, Elector of Saxony in 1548. Under communist East Germany and until 1992 it was called Staatskapelle Dresden; an earlier name was Kurfürstlich-Sächsische und Königlich-Polnische Kapelle, or Electoral Saxon and Royal Polish Orchestra. It is a constituent body of the Semper Opera House, along with two choruses and a ballet troupe, where it plays in the pit for opera and on a platform for its own concert series.
The original Church of Our Lady was completely destroyed during World War II; however, it has been reconstructed. The City of Coventry, which was raided by the Luftwaffe in WWII, donated the golden cross for the dome of the church. Check out some ruins in the basement. For €12 (concessions €7; families €24) you can walk up to the viewing platform on the dome and enjoy a great view of the city. You must have good walking shoes, otherwise you might not be admitted. As well as being a working church (with services once a month in English), there are also regular concerts. Tickets tend to be expensive but sell out quickly, so try to book ahead of time. The seating can be a little hard.
The baroque palace features a nympheum, many sculptures of Permoser, a bell pavilion and famous art collections. Do not miss the "Alte Meister" - you'll find Rafael's famous Sistine Madonna with its well-known angels there. Three separate exhibitions are housed in the Zwinger. (See below.) The Zwinger is part of the Dresden State Art Collections (SKD).
Old Masters Picture Gallery
A highly regarded collection featuring around 700 European works from the 15th to the 18th century. It is particularly known for its focus on Italian Renaissance and Baroque art, including Raphael's Sistine Madonna, as well as a significant selection of Dutch and Flemish masters and works by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
Porcelain Collection
A unique collection showcasing the obsession with "white gold" during the 18th century. It features thousands of exquisite pieces from China, Japan, and the first European porcelain factory in Meißen, founded by Augustus the Strong.
The collection will be closed for renovation from 07 September to 30 October 2026.
Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments
A collection of historical scientific instruments from the 18th century. It features a variety of early precision tools, including telescopes, clocks, and celestial models that reflect the scientific interests and technological advancements of that era.
Royal Palace
During the bombing of Dresden in February 1945 the interior of the palace was almost completely destroyed by fire. Only the part that is now the Historisches Grünes Gewölbe (and the basements) was unaffected. Due to lack of money and political will during the GDR and despite the efforts of volunteers and local organizations, restoration only took place after reunification in the 1990s. It is now a palace for art and science. The Royal Palace is part of the Dresden State Art Collections (SKD).