Panometer Dresden, Dresden

The Dresden Panometer is a unique cultural and historical attraction in Dresden, that offers a transformative experience for visitors through the display of panoramic paintings by the Austrian-born artist Yadegar Asisi. Housed in a repurposed gasometer built in 1879–80 in the Reick area, the Panometer blends architectural heritage with artistic innovation. The structure's circular shape and spacious interior, featuring a 39-meter height and a 54-meter diameter, are ideally suited for showcasing large-scale panoramas.

Created by Asisi in 2006, the Dresden Panometer showcases two alternating panoramic paintings: "Baroque Dresden" and "Dresden 1945." These artworks transport viewers back in time, either to the splendor of Dresden in 1756 or to the poignant aftermath of its destruction in 1945 following World War II bombings. The panoramas are displayed on the inner walls of the gasometer, measuring 27 meters in height and 105 meters in circumference. Visitors view these works from a central platform, which uses perspective techniques to offer a realistic depiction of distance and scale.

"Baroque Dresden" portrays the city’s skyline from the perspective of the Katholische Hofkirche, largely historically accurate with some artistic liberties, while "Dresden 1945" offers a stark contrast by depicting the extensive war-time damage from a 360-degree view at the Town Hall tower, emphasizing the broader impact of the war on European cities.

The venue also includes an educational walkway between the panorama and the outer wall, where exhibitions detail the creation of the paintings, and the historical context of Dresden, and feature vedute—precise, historic drawings by notable artists like Bernardo Bellotto. Additional displays include historic city maps, Asisi's sketches and paintings, and architectural remnants from significant Dresden buildings.