Procession of Princes

The Procession of Princes (Fürstenzug) in Dresden is a porcelain mural about 102 meters (335 feet) long, made of some 23,000 Meissen tiles and widely described as the largest porcelain artwork in the world. It shows the rulers of Saxony's Wettin dynasty riding in a grand parade along Augustusstraße, on the outer wall of the castle's stable court. It's free, open around the clock, and one of the essential things to do in Dresden's Old Town.

The story behind the mural

The work was created to mark the 800th anniversary of the House of Wettin, celebrated in 1889. Painter Wilhelm Walther first executed the procession in the 1870s as sgraffito, a technique of scratched plaster, but it weathered quickly. Between 1904 and 1907, the image was transferred onto tiles fired at the Meissen porcelain factory.

That choice saved it. When Allied bombing destroyed central Dresden in February 1945, the porcelain wall survived largely intact. Only a few hundred tiles had to be replaced during a restoration in the late 1970s.

What you'll see

The mural is about 10.5 meters high and depicts 94 people, including 35 margraves, dukes, electors, and kings, each labeled with his name and years of rule. The procession begins with Konrad the Great in the 12th century and ends with King George in the early 20th century. Look out for Augustus the Strong, and for the long tail of the parade: scientists, artists, craftsmen, soldiers, children, and farmers. The very last figure is the artist himself.

Tips for your visit

You only need 15 to 30 minutes here. The street is narrow, so the best photo angle is from the Neumarkt end, shooting along the wall toward the castle and the Court Church. Early morning is quietest, and afternoon light makes the yellow tiles glow. The cobbled street is flat and manageable with a stroller or wheelchair.

How to get there

Dresden is about 2 hours by train from Berlin, and the Old Town is roughly a 20-minute walk from Dresden Hauptbahnhof (main station). By tram, get off at Theaterplatz or Pirnaischer Platz. Look for Augustusstraße, the lane linking Schlossplatz and Neumarkt.

Nearby

The mural connects several major sights: Dresden Castle and the Court Church at one end, the Frauenkirche at the other. The grand staircase up to Brühl's Terrace is around the corner, and the Semperoper, the Zwinger, and the Old Masters Picture Gallery are a few minutes' walk away.