The Fürstenzug, or Procession of Princes, stretches for nearly 102 metres along the outer wall of the Stallhof at Dresden Royal Palace. Made from around 25,000 Meissen porcelain tiles, this monumental mural depicts a cavalcade of Saxon rulers accompanied by scholars, artists, craftspeople and children. It is one of Dresden’s most distinctive sights and among the largest porcelain artworks in the world.
Artist Wilhelm Walther created the original mural in the 1870s to celebrate the House of Wettin, the dynasty that ruled Saxony for centuries. The painting was transferred onto porcelain tiles between 1904 and 1907, creating a durable surface that survived the bombing of Dresden in 1945 with relatively little damage. Today, the procession offers a fascinating glimpse of how the dynasty chose to present its history and power.
Take time to walk the length of the mural and look beyond the mounted rulers: the smaller figures bring detail and character to the scene. Walther included himself among them, a rewarding detail to seek out. The glazed tiles also catch the light differently throughout the day.
The Fürstenzug is outdoors on Augustusstrasse and free to view at any hour. It is an easy stop on a walk through Dresden’s old town, close to the Frauenkirche and the Royal Palace. Visit on a weekday or early in the day for a quieter look, and allow time to move along the full length rather than viewing it from one spot.