Dresden City Guide
Famous for it’s desecration by ferocious air raids in 1945, Dresden has since been resurrected to its former glory and encompasses a wealth of museums, art galleries and different architectural styles. It is also a very green city, with 63% of the area consisting of green area and forest. So, why not visit Dresden and unwind in this idyllic natural space whilst enjoying all the attractions of city life.
What to do and see in and around Dresden
The Frauenkirche Church
Having been a victim of the Allied bombing campaign in 1945 the Frauenkirche has since been rebuilt and serves as a symbol of post World War 2 international reconciliation. This popular tourist destination was first built in the 18th Century and can be found in the Neumarkt quarter of Dresden.
Zwinger
You won’t find a better example of Late Baroque architecture in Germany than the Zwinger. Dating back to 1710 this gallery and museum space was originally intended to be an orangery and was later used for exhibitions. Nowadays it is the home of, among other things, the Old Masters Picture Gallery.
Semper Opera House
Named after the man who built it, Gottfried Semper, the Semper Opera House was originally built in 1838 but has been rebuilt twice since due to a fire in 1869 and the bombing of 1945. This grand building is an attractive setting in which to enjoy a night at the opera.
Royal Palace
Like many other important buildings in Dresden, the Royal Palace was destroyed in the bombing of 1945 but has since been rebuilt and was opened to the public in 2006. The original palace dated back to 1530 when it was erected by the Duke of Saxony, George the Bearded.
Old Masters Picture Gallery
Housed in the Semper museum neighboring the Zwinger, this well-renowned gallery contains amongst other exhibits, works from the Renaissance, as well as a large collection of seventeenth century Dutch and Flemish art. The gallery displays such major pieces as Raphael’s Sistine Madonna and Vermeer’s Girl at a Window reading a Letter.
The Green Vault
For those who like things that sparkle, the Green Vault is a veritable treasure chest. This stunning collection of art, unrivalled in Europe, belonged to August the Strong and consists of jewels, precious stones and masterpieces in gold, silver, bronze, amber, enamel and ivory. Well worth a visit to awaken the magpie in you.
The Elbe Meadows and Slopes
Dresden is situated on both sides of the river Elbe, with the surrounding meadows and slopes providing Dresden’s inhabitants with a beautiful setting in which to sit, relax and enjoy the city’s fascinating skyline. The far-reaching meadows also offer beautifully appointed beer gardens where you can quench your thirst after a long day’s sightseeing.
Brühl Terrace
Brühl Terrace, once serving as a fortification, was transformed in 1739 by Prime Minister Count Brühl as a garden for his own amusement. The terrace was opened to the public in 1814 after the installation of a beautiful flight of steps on which bronze casts dating back to 1908 can be found.
Dresden's fortifications
Located underneath Brühl's Terrace you will find Dresden’s fortifications, including the Brick Gate which dates back to the 17th Century and is the only original city gate in Dresden still standing today. This UNESCO World Heritage Site gives you an insight into how Dresden once guarded itself from the threat of invasion.
Russian-Orthodox Church
You’ll be forgiven for questioning which country you are in when you see the onion-shaped cupola’s normally associated with Moscow or St Petersburg. Dating back to 1872 Dresden’s Russian-Orthodox Church was built in the Russian style as a place for the Russian Legation to the Kingdom of Saxony to worship.
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