Dresden is located in East Germany and is also called “Florence at the Elbe” because of its idyllic location on the banks of the Elbe River and its great examples of world-class museums and Baroque architecture. Even though eighty percent of its historic center was demolished during World War II, the important landmarks have been built again to match their former splendor. Visitors can be captivated by the arts of Dresden with its art treasures, fascinating buildings, impressive museums, plus choirs and orchestras of worldwide fame. Dresden also offers attractions which have a great variety and combine three aspects that complement each other – architectural sights, notable art treasure and a charming landscape.
Things to Do in Dresden
1. Pay a Visit to the Dresden Christmas Market
Striezelmarkt is its traditional name, and it is the oldest Christmas Market in Germany with a long history dating all the way back to 1434. Its name comes from Hefestriezel, which is a sweet delicacy that centuries later is now known as Dresden Christstollen, or German Christmas Cake. The Dresden Striezelmarkt can be found on the Altmarkt Square in the historical city center. It is surrounded by various themed Christmas Markets that stretch up to the main railway station and the Albertplatz. A lot of traditional Christmas gifts, decorations and toys were invented hundreds of years ago in the Ore Mountains or Erzgebirge when ore ran out. Most of the Christmas Markets today in Germany are still being supplied from this region today.
2. Take a Walk Around the Elbe River Banks
This river flows past the Old Town of Dresden, and it is flanked with grassy, wide riverbanks that offer you plenty of stunning views of the Old Town. This is a unique place to stroll, relax and have a barbeque. In the summertime, you can go out with the local residents who come here to view movies al fresco in one of the biggest outdoor theatres in Germany, called Dresdner Filmnaechte, in the months of July through September.
3. Marvel At the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche)
This church has a moving history, as in World War II when the air-raids wiped out the center of the city, this grand and beautiful church collapsed into a pile of rubble forty-two feet high. The untouched ruins were left until 1994 when the painstaking reconstruction of the church started up. It was financed almost completely by private donations from all over the world, and the people of Dresden could celebrate the resurrection of their Frauenkirche in 2005. Before this in the 1980s the ruins had become a site of the peace movement of East Germany. Thousands gathered here to protest peacefully against the regime of the East German Government.
4. Discover Art at the Albertinum Museum
This is one of Dresden’s best fine art museums, and the newly designed one was reopened in the year 2010. It is home to the Neue Meister, or New Masters Gallery, plus the Skulpturensammlung, or Sculpture Collection. Masterpieces which can be found in the Sculpture Collection range from the classical antiquity to today, emphasizing on artists from the former GDR. The New Masters Gallery features work from Caspar David to Frierich to Gerhardt Ricter, showcasing paintings from the 19th century to 20th century which include works from Van Gogh, Dix, Degas and Monet.
5. Be Dazzled at the Green Vault
The Grunes Gewolbe, or Dresden’s Green Vault is the home to one of the finest royal treasure collections in all of Europe. It is housed in the Dresden Palace, and the treasure chamber was founded by August the Strong during the eighteenth century. It is full of elaborate artworks of gold, gems, silver, ivory, enamel, bronze and amber. It includes the biggest green diamond in the world. If you plan on going here, you’d better get your tickets well in advance.
6. Take a Boat Trip on the Historic Paddle Steamers
You can take a boat trip on one of the historical paddle steamers on the Elbe River. The coffee cruise is a popular option for the afternoon, where you can eat as much German cake as you want. You can glide down the river to the town Meissen which is well-known for its porcelain, or you can take a cruise through Saxony Switzerland and enjoy the scenery.
7. Take a Stroll Along Bruhl’s Terrace (Bruhlsche Terrasse)
Set between the river Elbe and the Old Town, Bruhl’s Terrace is also nicknamed The Balcony of Europe. Part of Dresden’s original rampart, the terraced promenade remained this way until it became the garden for the Royal Palace. After climbing a monumental staircase that has four bronze statues on the sides of it, you can take a walk along the promenade which is lined with some of Dresden’s most beautiful historic buildings. These include the Albertinum Museum and the Royal Art Academy.
8. Enjoy Beautiful Music at the Semper Opera
This opera house is the famous opera house of the Saxon State Opera. Each year all the operas are sold out over the course of the year, making the city of Dresden quite proud of its lovely rebuilt Opera House found near the Elbe River. Gottfried Semper, the architect of this Opera, has the honor of this being the only opera house found in the world which was named for its architect. If you are into the world of opera music, then you will be happy to visit this building where the works of Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner were performed.
9. Be Impressed at the Zwinger Palace
This palace was built in Rococo style in the 18th century and served as the exhibition gallery, orangery and festival arena of the Dresden Court. It is right next to the Semper Opera, and if you turn right as you are leaving the Opera you will find it right away. Now the Zwinger Palace is home to a complex of museums which hold the famous Dresden Porcelain Collection, an older Gallery, and the royal cabinet of mathematical and physical instruments, which is a museum for scientific instruments and historic clocks.
10. Delight in Outdoor Dining
Surrounded by restaurants in all directions, the Frauenkirche makes the perfect place to grab lunch or dinner. This is a wonderful environment to enjoy during the spring and summer, when a mix of tourist and Germans are all out together drinking beer or coffee and enjoying the local cuisine. This is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic evening in the city as you enjoy the sights and sounds together.
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