May 1st continued

After a beer we went to Asisi's Dresden Panometer. The panorama, depicting Baroque Dresden in 1756, is simply magical. A work of art, the panorama is also a tour de force of computer aided design and reconstruction. The panorama combines contemporary paintings from the early 1700's by Canalleto, historical city maps, current photography of baroque buildings and costumed actors. One stands on a large platform in the middle of the room. There are several floors,so that you can view from several perspectives.

From 2009_05_01

The city comes alive. One is completely immersed in another time and place. The sounds of the town change as the lighting changes. The sun rises, a storm blows through, workers are hammering, cats fight at night,and all sorts of other sounds add to the effect.

From 2009_05_01

From 2009_05_01

As you stand on the central platform your point of reference is what a person would have seen standing in the bell tower of the Hofkirche in 1756. The Hofkirche is the church on the left as seen in this picture I took a few evenings ago.

From 2009_04_25

The Hofkirche was just about to be completed in 1756. August the Strong had converted to Catholicism as part of his purchase of the Polish crown. This region of Germany was at the center, the very birthplace, of Protestantism, so at first the church was built by foreign workers so that the locals did not know a Catholic church was being built. The church stood for about a decade before the Prussians destroyed it by bombardment during the Seven Years War. It was rebuilt, only to be destroyed again during WWII.
One of the unique features of the church are the 78 statues along the upper balustrade. They were the culmination of work of the Italian sculptor Lorenzo Mattielli. He died soon after their completion and was buried in the church courtyard. The statues are of saints and four allegorical figures of faith, love, hope and justice.
In the tower of the panometer is displayed what remains one of the original statues, whose plaintive expression speaks to the long, beautiful and sad history she has experienced.

From 2009_05_01