Zwinger, Dresden

Dresden's world-famous landmark, Zwinger, was created between 1710-32 by architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann and sculptor Balthasar Permoser. The imposing complex, made up of a crown gate, long, winding galleries, a walled pavilion and carillon and French and German pavilions was originally designed as a venue for court festivities. In 1855, a Neo-renaissance structure designed by Gottfried Semper was built on the north-eastern side. The Semper Building contains, amongst other things, the Gallery of the Old Masters, with works by Dürer, Titian, Rubens and one of the most famous paintings in the world, the Sistine Madonna by Raphael. The breathtaking ensemble is completed by several royal tombstones, a pond and an idyllic park.