Altar of Virtue

The Seiferdorf valley is both a landscape conservation area and one of the oldest German landscape gardens. At the end of the 18th century, Christina von Brühl designed and created the Seiferdorf Valley.

Here at the entrance to the Seiferdorf valley is the altar of virtue, which forms an ensemble with the temple in memory of good people. The temple no longer exists, but you can still admire the altar from all sides.

... with the TEMPLE DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF GOOD PEOPLE.

This garden scene forms the southern entrance to the landscaped garden. The description given by Wilhelm Gottlieb Becker in 1792 illustrates the former situation:

"Here is seen a Greek-style temple...

The interior is painted with soft rose color. Censers and medallions, the ground of which is steel green, adorn the walls. A light festoon of white roses connects the medallions, which seem to be suspended from sky-blue ribbons.

On the main wall, opposite the door, hangs the count's portrait. On the rest are four large medallions, representing Piety, Faithfulness, Constancy, and Generosity. On the ceiling is seen a sun, the image of truth, spreading its golden rays over the whole. The small medallions contain hieroglyphs and flowers...

The back part of the temple has two doors, which go on rollers: when they are opened, one enjoys the lovely view of Elysium.”

The furnishing of the interior of the temple is said to have been similar to that of the Dresden Masonic Lodge "At the Three Swords". Hans Moritz von Brühl and his older brothers were active members of this lodge.

The temple, which stood directly on the Röder on the spot where there is a bank today, burned down around 1861. The Altar of Virtue, which stood in front of the entrance to the temple, has been preserved to this day.

TEMPLE DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF GOOD PEOPLE with the Altar of Virtue
This garden scene forms the southern entrance to the landscaped garden. The description given by Wilhelm Gottlieb Becker in 1792 illustrates the former situation:

"Here is seen a Greek-style temple...

The interior is painted with soft rose color. Censers and medallions, the ground of which is steel green, adorn the walls. A light festoon of white roses connects the medallions, which seem to be suspended from sky-blue ribbons.

On the main wall, opposite the door, hangs the count's portrait. On the rest are four large medallions, representing Piety, Faithfulness, Constancy, and Generosity. On the ceiling is seen a sun, the image of truth, spreading its golden rays over the whole. The small medallions contain hieroglyphs and flowers...

The back part of the temple has two doors, which go on rollers: when they are opened, one enjoys the lovely view of Elysium.”

The furnishing of the interior of the temple is said to have been similar to that of the Dresden Masonic Lodge "At the Three Swords". Hans Moritz von Brühl and his older brothers were active members of this lodge.

The temple, which stood directly on the Röder on the spot where there is a bank today, burned down around 1861. The Altar of Virtue, which stood in front of the entrance to the temple, has been preserved to this day.

Source: tinathal.de