Did you know that Villa Zietz was once a summer residence? It stands before you a magnificent example of historicist architecture. This impressive villa was built between 1910 and 1912 for Hugo Zietz. He was a prominent entrepreneur. He’s best known for constructing the Yenidze cigarette factory in Dresden. That’s the one styled like a mosque.
Villa Zietz itself is located in the upscale Dresden neighborhood of Weißer Hirsch. It was originally called Villa Waldhaus. The villa’s design is quite unique. It is an asymmetrical stucco building. The central gable is in the Neo-Renaissance style. It features a polygonal turret. Different window shapes and sizes are typical of architect Max Herfurt’s work. The front is accentuated by half-timbering. There is a wood-framed bay window and an ornate entrance gate. The upper floor’s dark wood cladding adds a rustic touch.
The villa’s design is playful and romantic. Its large overlapping tiled roof and asymmetrical layout create that feeling. But it also looks grand. Clever details adorn the villa. For example the relief of a beehive over the entrance symbolizes Zietz’s diligence. Stucco with a hunting scene decorates the bay window’s balustrade. Stained glass windows in the staircase depict the journey of tobacco from the plantation to the warehouse. Josef Goller created these beautiful stained glass windows.
The Zietz family owned Villa Zietz until 1945. Then it passed into the hands of the Soviet military administration. Later it served as a kindergarten. Today it is once again a private residence. A coach house sits on the property next to the main villa. Villa Zietz continues to impress visitors with its history and elegance. It serves as a wonderful reminder of Dresden’s rich past and the lifestyles of its industrial elite. It really is a jewel in the crown of Weißer Hirsch.