Georgentor (George Gate), Dresden

George Gate is one of Dresden’s significant gateways and forms part of the Dresden Royal Palace complex on Palace Square. It stands on the site of an earlier city gate that provided Dresden’s original route towards the Elbe and its bridge. Between 1530 and 1535, George the Bearded commissioned the present building, making it Dresden’s first Renaissance building.

The richly decorated façade features numerous figures with religious themes, along with George the Bearded’s motto, “Through envy of the devil came death into the world.” The gateway was transformed several times over the centuries. After a 1701 fire destroyed much of Dresden Castle, the George Gate was renovated to accommodate royal apartments. An additional storey was added in 1833, followed by a ballroom in 1868. In 1901, the façade was redesigned in the Neo-Renaissance style, and sculptor Christian Behrens created the imposing equestrian statue of George the Bearded in the gable.

The George Gate also has royal connections. Friedrich August III, the last King of Saxony, lived here until the monarchy ended in 1918. Like much of Dresden, the building was destroyed by bombing in 1945 and reconstructed during the 1960s.

The gateway offers an interesting combination of architecture and history. Look closely at the decorative façade and the equestrian statue before exploring the surrounding Palace Square, Stables Courtyard and Royal Palace. Today, the George Gate also houses exhibitions, including the Coin Cabinet, with its collection of historic coins and medals, as well as an art exhibition.