Dresden Cathedral is the largest Baroque church in Saxony, located on the banks of the Elbe River. It belongs to the Diocese of Dresden-Meissen. It is also called the Dresden Church of the Holy Trinity and the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The Hofkirche Church was built in 1739-1755 by the Italian architect Gaetano Chiaveri, commissioned by Elector Friedrich August IIvon Sachsen. Frederick AugustusII, son of Augustus the Strong, continued his father's policies and insisted on becoming king of Poland. For this reason, he even abandoned Protestantism and converted to Catholicism. The church also became Catholic in opposition to the reformed Frauenkirche city council.
Dresden Cathedral is an oval three-nave basilica with four corner chapels and a long gallery. The bell tower is 85 meters high, not in the central, but in the side nave, which is contrary to tradition. The 4 large bells were not rung again until 1806 as people continued to follow Lutheranism. Napoleon then occupied Saxony, declared it a kingdom and consecrated the cathedral. The facade and balustrade of the lower level of the basilica are decorated with sculptures in the Baroque tradition, namely 78 three-meter statues of saints and apostles and 3.5-meter statues of Faith, Hope, Love and Justice.
The Hofkirche is so unique that its architectural style is often called Dresden Baroque. The oval shape of the church resembles a ship, and the bell tower resembles a mast.
Another feature of the Dresden Cathedral is that the main altar is located in the west, and not in the east, as required by church tradition. It was created by the Aglio brothers from marble and gilded bronze decorations. The altar painting, 10 meters high and 4.5 meters wide, depicts the Ascension of Jesus and the Holy Trinity. Its author is Mengs, a painter of the royal court of Dresden.
In the western part of the temple there is the Chapel of the Crucifixion, in the south - the Chapel of Mysteries, in the east - the so-called Benno Chapel, in which the miter of St. Benno von Meissen has been kept since 1998, and the Northern Chapel is dedicated to St. John of Nepomuk . It depicts the Virgin Mary and Jesus.
The Hofkirche has two organs. Among them, the Silbermann organ (in honor of its creator Gottfried Silbermann) stands out. Located in the temple since 1755.
The second, more chamber organ was installed in the temple in 2002.
The Hofkirche was originally a temple for the royal court. In its crypt are buried 49 representatives of the Wettin dynasty, including all the kings of Saxony who ruled Saxony for centuries. The heart of Augustus the Strong is kept here.
Concerts have traditionally been held in the Hofkirch. Weber and Wagner conducted here. Musical traditions continue in the cathedral today. On Wednesdays and Sundays there is an organ concert, and on holidays and Sundays you can also listen to the famous Dresden Boys' Choir.
The Hofkirche is a working cathedral, open every day until 17:00. Admission is free.
Hofkirche address: Schloßstraße 24.
To get to Dresden Cathedral, use: tram No. 4, 8, 9 - stop Theaterplatz.
Hofkirche official website: bistum-dresden-meissen.de.
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