Tuesday in Dresden

We went on another day trip, this one a little farther, all the way to Dresden.  There are some noted pieces of contemporary architecture, as well as more "historical" buildings.

First seen, since it is near the train station, is the UFA Cinema Center by Coop Himmelb(l)au.  This is an older work, about 15 years ago, and is more of the angular, Deconstructivist style, instead of their current fluid language (see BMW Welt, Munich).

This was an important stop, as the building is often used as precedent in architectural classes, and was cited as one of the most important buildings of the last 30 years by several architects in the recent Vanity Fair magazine poll of architects. (as were several others we have or will see on this study program, including the BMW Welt, Jewish Museum, and Dutch Embassy Berlin)

Another stop was St. Benno's Catholic School by Gunter Behnisch.

Our German Contact, Dr. Sigrun Prahl, was along for this trip, and was able to wrangle us an impromptu tour of the school.

The atrium breaks up on the green garden roof.

Since we were all hungry, and the tour had delayed our lunch, we ran to a recommended little schnitzel place across the street, and everyone ate schnitzel, because that is all they served, with various sauces and sides.


On to the old city center, and our next stop, the Semper Opera House.

Designed by Gottfried Semper in the mid-1800's, the opera, like everything else in Dresden, was destroyed in WWII.  But like many historic buildings damaged in the war, they built a duplicate and seem to pretend it is still the original.  This goes for the rest of the "historic" buildings coming up in this post as well.

The voluminous interior with four levels of balcony.

And the chandelier hanging in the main opera hall.  This is the source of my new favorite quote ever.  When pointing the chandelier out to us, the tour guide said "see the chandelier, it's plastic.  But the gold on top is real!" 

After our Opera tour, we still had several hours until the train left to return to Berlin, so we gave everyone time to do as they wanted.  Some went to the Zwinger, a small palace turned museum with an impressive art collection.  Raphael's famous cherubs are here.  Others went to the castle, home of the largest blue-green diamond.  Others wandered over to the churches, or possibly to stroll along the Elb river.

Sigrun and I went first to some churches...

The Catholic Church

And the restored Frauenkirche

And then along the river, to see some newer buildings.

This is the Sachsischer Landtag, which is essentially the state capital building, where this state's politicians sit in session.

What was amazing was how open it was.  We could walk right in and look around (nothing in session).  Also, as maybe you can tell in this photo, the cylinder at the end where they meet is completely glass.  Anyone walking along the river would be able to see their representatives in session, even make ugly faces at them if they chose.

Right behind this government building is a new conference center, quite nice.

The entire thing sits on a large plinth which slopes up from front to back, right through the building, like one big ramp.  Who says floors have to be level!  (well, American building codes generally do, as someone in a wheelchair who rested would roll back to the beginning.  Codes are not the same everywhere)

Our train was a little late, but we all arrived back in Berlin safe and sound.  Ready for a good night's rest.