Theaterplatz
Theaterplatz is a square in Dresden's old town, the forecourt of the Semperoper, laid out around an oval with the equestrian statue of King Johann of Saxony in the middle.
What it is
The square is protected as a heritage ensemble that includes the Semperoper, the monument to King Johann and the decorative paving.
The Semperoper stands at Theaterplatz 2, and the Zwinger's address is Theaterplatz 1. The city lists the Hofkirche's visitor address as Theaterplatz/Schloßplatz.
History
The square in its present form dates from the second half of the 19th century. It was formed when the second court theatre, today's Semperoper, was built further back, leaving an open space framed by the Hofkirche, the Schloss and the picture gallery.
The equestrian monument to King Johann of Saxony (1801–1873) is by Johannes Schilling and dates from 1889.
Around the square
On the north-east side of the square, by the Elbe, stands the Italienisches Dörfchen, a restaurant building of 1911–13 by Hans Erlwein. It recalls the Italian builders of the Hofkirche, who had their homes and workshops on the site.
A bronze statue of the composer Carl Maria von Weber (1786–1826), unveiled in 1860, stands at Theaterplatz as part of the Zwinger ensemble.