Wackerbarth-Palais

The Wackerbarth Palace, built between 1723 and 1729, under the supervision of architect J. C. Knöffel, was also known as the "Ritterakadamie" (German for "Knight's Academy"). It was one of several baroque palaces in Dresden which were destroyed during the allied bombing raids on February 13 1945. It was named for Christoph August Graf von Wackerbarth, a Saxon Duke and Field Marshal (1662–1734). The palace was situated in the city, north of the River Elbe, at the former Beaumontplatz near Neustädter Markt.

Badly damaged during the allied bombing raids, parts of it were still standing after the war. Reconstruction would have been possible, but it was demolished by the communist regime in 1963. Presently there are no plans for a reconstruction project.

However, a medallion with the image of Saxon King August the Strong, part of the facade ornaments made by famous baroque sculptor Benjamin Thomae, was saved and is now part of the Johannäum.

On the other hand, other palaces in Dresden, such as the Zwinger, Japanisches Palace, Residenzschloss, Taschenberg Palace, Palais Cosel and the Kurländer Palace, all heavily damaged by the allied raids, were reconstructed. Additionally, the Kurländer Palace is under reconstruction as of 2008.

External links

* [http://www.neumarkt-dresden.de www.neumarkt-dresden.de Website of the GHND - Association for the reconstruction of the Dresden Neumarkt according to scientific standards]
* [http://www.neumarkt-dresden.de/Neustaedter-Markt/imagesNM/ritterakademie.jpgPhoto of before allied raids]
* [http://www.neumarkt-dresden.de/Neustaedter-Markt/imagesNM/ritterakadmie2.jpgPhoto after allied raids] (After-picture: In the middle axis between 1st and 2nd floor, the medallion of King August, which had been saved, is visible)