Even if you plan to stay in the ancient German city of Dresden only for a couple of weekends, you should definitely spend one evening at the world-famous Dresden opera house. Visiting one of the best theaters in the world is a pleasant and unforgettable experience not only for opera lovers but also for all connoisseurs of art.

The best way to start your fascinating tour is by walking along Theater Square. It stands in the historic center of Dresden and is one of the most beautiful squares in Germany. The opera house is not the only attraction of the square. Its center is occupied by an equestrian statue of King John of Saxony. Besides, Theater Square is surrounded by real architectural masterpieces, like the Zwinger palace ensemble, the Court Church, and the Semperoper itself.

In the 17th century, the site of the Dresden opera house was occupied by a theater. But King Friedrich August II thought that the old city theater was too modest. So he ordered the court architect Gottfried Semper to create a new project of the majestic royal opera. The grand opening took place in 1841. One year later, the great German composer Richard Wagner took the post of kapellmeister and conductor.

The magnificent architectural monument combined solemn Baroque and a more modest style of Renaissance. Even the strongest fire in the 19th century failed to destroy the building. It was completely restored in just a few years by the son of Gottfried Semper, Manfred, under the strict guidance of his father. The central entrance to the opera house was decorated with statues of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller, side niches – with Euripides, Sophocles, Shakespeare, and Moliere. The bronze antique chariot with Dionysus and Ariadne, by the talented sculptor Johannes Schilling, was installed on the portal.

The bombing of the Second World War caused significant damage to the building. Luckily, the Semperoper managed to survive this time as well. It was restored and started shining even brighter. Today, the Dresden opera house serves as the home concert hall of one of the oldest orchestras in the world, the Saxon Staatskapelle.