Zur Geschichte des Coselpalais
The Coselpalais is located in the heart of the city of Dresden. Right beside the world-famous Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), the building borders the former Armoury and fortifications, and its cellar is home to the impressive ruins of the former Powder Tower (Pulverturm). Incorporating the foundation walls, the Chief State Master Builder, Johann Christoff Knöffel, built two stately residences on the site of the current Coselpalais in 1745/46, which were razed to the ground in 1760 by Prussian artillery fire during the Seven Years’ War.
In 1763, the infantry general and commander of the Garde de Corps, Friedrich Augustus, Count of the Empire von Cosel - the son of the Saxon Prince Elector and King of Poland Augustus the Strong and Countess von Cosel - purchased the two sites of the current Coselpalais and had a new building erected on them. A unique baroque building of great architectural and sculptural quality was created using the existing building substance.
In 1853, title to the building was transferred to the State of Saxony, and it was converted to a Headquarters for the Royal Police. During the devastating night-time bombing in February 1945, the Coselpalais was destroyed along with the Frauenkirche and much of the historic old town.
