Dresden is the capital of the Free State of Saxony. With around
560,000 inhabitants on September 30, 2020, Dresden is the second
largest Saxon municipality after Leipzig and the twelfth largest
city in Germany in terms of population.
As the seat of the
Saxon state government and the Saxon state parliament as well as
numerous state authorities, the city is the political center of
Saxony. In addition, important educational and cultural institutions
of the Free State are concentrated here, including the renowned
Technical University, the University of Technology and Economics,
the University of Fine Arts Dresden and the University of Music Carl
Maria von Weber Dresden. The independent city on the Elbe is both
one of the six regional centers of Saxony and the economic center of
the Dresden metropolitan area, one of the most economically dynamic
regions in Germany with over 780,000 inhabitants. Innovations and
cutting-edge technologies play an outstanding role in the Dresden
area; Information technology and nanoelectronics are economically
significant, which is why it is also positioned as the center of
“Silicon Saxony”. The pharmaceutical, cosmetics, machine, vehicle
and plant construction, food, optical industry, services, trade and
tourism sectors also generate great added value in the Dresden area.
With three motorways, two long-distance train stations, an inland
port and an international airport, Dresden is also an important
transport hub.
Archaeological traces in the later urban area
indicate settlement as early as the Stone Age. Dresden was first
mentioned in documents that have survived in 1206 and developed into
an electoral, later royal residence, 1918–1933 and from 1990 capital
of the Free State of Saxony, in the GDR from 1952–1990 district
capital.
Dresden is internationally known as a cultural city
with numerous important buildings such as the baroque Zwinger,
outstanding museums such as the Old Masters Picture Gallery, and
famous orchestras such as the Saxon State Orchestra or the
Kreuzchor. The old town of Dresden was largely reconstructed and
shaped by various architectural epochs, in addition to the Zwinger,
for example, the Frauenkirche am Neumarkt, the Semperoper and the
Hofkirche as well as the Residenzschloss. The Striezelmarkt, founded
in 1434, is one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in
Germany. Dresden is also called Florence on the Elbe, originally
primarily because of its art collections; Its baroque and
Mediterranean architecture as well as its picturesque and
climatically favorable location in the Elbe Valley contributed
significantly to this.
Dresden is divided into 10 districts and nine localities. Since the
points and facilities of tourist interest are predominantly concentrated
in the old town and new town areas, while the others are mainly
residential areas, the following classification makes more sense for the
purposes of this travel guide:
Old town
The historic center
with the magnificent baroque buildings of the former princely and royal
court. The most famous sights are concentrated here: Frauenkirche,
Residenzschloss, Zwinger and Semperoper. During the Second World War,
the old town was almost completely destroyed. Since then, however, the
most important buildings have been gradually rebuilt. There are also
numerous hotels here, as well as shops and restaurants catering to
tourists. In addition to the inner old town, this article also includes
the adjacent districts of Seevorstadt (with the shopping street Prager
Straße), Pirnaische Vorstadt, Wilsdruffer Vorstadt, Friedrichstadt and
Johannstadt as well as the Great Garden.
New town
Paradoxically, more historical buildings have been preserved in the new
town than in the old town, thanks to less war damage. The Neustadt
includes two districts with very different characters: the Inner
Neustadt with the baroque quarter Königsstraße from the time of Augustus
the Strong and his statue of the Golden Rider; and the Äußere Neustadt,
which attracts students, artists and creative people as Dresden's
alternative trendy district. This is also the main nightlife area for
the people of Dresden, with countless cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars,
but also independent cultural institutions and shops with ecological or
handicraft products. This article deals with the northern and
northwestern districts such as Albertstadt, Pieschen, Hellerau,
Klotzsche and Langebrück.
Blasewitz, Loschwitz, Weißer Hirsch
These are the three most well-known and posh residential areas in the
city. They represent the eastern districts on both sides of the Elbe.
This also includes Striesen, Laubegast, Leuben, Pillnitz and
Schönfeld-Weissig. In this area, not only the architecture of the villas
and Elbe castles, which are worth seeing, but also the beautiful nature
of the Elbe meadows, Elbe slopes and Dresdner Heide as well as the
suspension and funicular railways attract visitors.
Cotta,
Plauen, Prohlis
These three are representative of the southwestern
districts, which also include Südvorstadt (with the Technical
University), Löbtau, Strehlen and Gorbitz. Away from the tourist paths,
there are mainly residential areas here, from the Gründerzeit quarter to
the two large prefab housing estates in Dresden to the more recently
incorporated suburbs that still have a village or suburban structure.
By plane
Dresden-Klotzsche International Airport (IATA: DRS),
located about 9 kilometers north of the city, currently handles around
1.8 million passengers a year, many of whom are charter flights during
the holiday season. From German-speaking countries there are direct
flights from Basel, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Cologne/Bonn, Munich,
Stuttgart and Zurich. An overview of all destinations served (and other
connections) and flight times can be found here.
The airport can
easily be reached by car, bus or S-Bahn. There is a small train station
directly below the terminal, from which the S-Bahn line 2 runs every 30
minutes to the city center (including via Neustadt train station and
main train station and on weekdays to Pirna). The fare to Dresden city
center corresponds to a normal 1-hour ticket and is €2.50 per person and
€1.70 for children aged 6-14 (as of 01-2021).Bus lines 77 and 80 also
stop at the airport, with which you can take tram line 7 (change at
Infineon Nord). announced on the bus) towards the center.
From
Leipzig/Halle Airport (IATA: LEJ) (Schkeuditz), which has a somewhat
more extensive range of flight connections, take the S-Bahn to Leipzig
Hbf (low) and then use the escalators to change to the train to Dresden.
If you use the InterCity, you need 1:48 hours, with the regional express
2:08 hours. Every two hours there is also a direct connection with IC
and ICE (also with a change in Leipzig), which only takes 1:30 hours.
needs. If you take the RE, the Sachsen ticket is valid for the entire
route (it's worth it, especially if there are several people). Since
April 2016, Dresden city traffic has also recognized it.
From
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (IATA: BER) you can get to Dresden every two
hours with one change. From Schönefeld you first take the S-Bahn to
Südkreuz, where you can change to the EC to Dresden. This connection,
which is also offered every two hours, takes a little over 2½ hours. In
addition, the Dresden-Berlin connection is one of the most competitive
in the long-distance bus business and many lines stop at one or both
airports.
There are also more flight connections to Prague
Airport (IATA: PRG) than to Dresden and the city can be reached every
two hours in about 2:15 hours (main train station to main train station)
by Eurocity. Before that, you have to take the Airport Express, which
costs 35 minutes, from the airport to the main train station
(alternatively, you can take a taxi, which is not much faster and is
often quite expensive in Prague, especially on this route).
By
train
Dresden has two long-distance train stations: Neustadter and
Hauptbahnhof. Trains coming from the north (Berlin, Hamburg), west
(Leipzig, Erfurt, Frankfurt) or east (Görlitz, Zittau) first stop in
Neustadt before continuing to the main train station. Only the trains
from the south (Prague, Chemnitz, Hof) first stop at the main train
station and sometimes also end there. If you have booked accommodation
on the right (i.e. northern) bank of the Elbe, getting off at Neustadt
station is definitely preferable. The old town center with the main
sights is about the same distance from both train stations and can be
reached from them by tram. In addition, you can quickly get to the more
outlying parts of the city with the S-Bahn from both stations.
There are direct connections to Dresden e.g. Every two hours with the
ICE from Frankfurt am Main (journey time 4:15 hours), Erfurt (2 hours),
Leipzig (1:05 hours), with the Eurocity from Berlin (1:50 hours),
Hamburg (4 :15 hours) and Prague (2:20 hours), with the Intercity from
Dortmund (a good 6 hours), Hanover (4 hours), Leipzig (just as fast as
the ICE). There are direct connections with Saarbrücken (almost 7
hours), Bratislava (6½ hours) and Budapest (9 hours) once a day.
With the regional express you can reach Dresden every hour from Bautzen
(45 min), Chemnitz (1 hour), Görlitz (1:15 hours), Leipzig and Zwickau
(each 1½ hours), Hof (2:40 hours); every two hours from Hoyerswerda
(1:20 hours), Zittau (1½ hours) and Cottbus (1:45 hours).
Coming
from Munich and Nuremberg, you usually have to change trains in Leipzig
(a total of 4:40 or 3½ hours); from Nuremberg there is also the option
of taking regional trains via Hof without a surcharge, but this takes 4½
hours. The fastest connection from Stuttgart is via Leipzig and takes
5:45 hours. From Cologne, the ICE takes just under 6 hours via Frankfurt
and Leipzig, the direct connection with the IC takes 1½ hours longer.
From Vienna it is about 6½-7½ hours via Prague (and possibly Břeclav).
From Wrocław there is a connection with regional trains three times a
day, whereby the train has to be changed in Węgliniec, the journey takes
a total of 3:50 hours travel time to the main station.
The night
train connections with Zurich, Vienna and Budapest that existed until
2016 and 2017 have all been discontinued.
Dresden Hauptbahnhof is
designed as a classic terminus station, but has through tracks on the
side in the direction of Prague and for the S-Bahn. The station was
completely renovated in the 2000s and given a membrane roof by architect
Sir Norman Foster. In the station there is a supermarket, newsagents,
bakers, various fast food outlets and a few other small shops. The
well-known Prager Strasse adjoins Wiener Platz. At the back of the train
station there is also a small passage with a supermarket, pharmacy and
drugstore. From the main station it is 1.2 km to the Altmarkt, 1.7 km to
the Frauenkirche and the Residenz. Tram line 11 takes you to Postplatz
in the heart of the old town in just a few minutes.
Dresden-Neustadt
station is the smaller of the two long-distance stations. Most trains
arriving from the directions of Leipzig, Berlin or Görlitz stop here
first, although there are a few trains that only stop at the
"Neustädter". Burger King, a Lidl and a few other small shops are
located in the station. Almost all shops in both stations are open on
Sundays. From the Neustadt train station it is only a few hundred meters
to the Inner Neustadt or around 1 km to the Outer Neustadt (possibly 1-2
stops with tram line 6 or 11). Residenz and Frauenkirche are 1.8 km
away, you can take tram line 11 directly to Postplatz, which is located
in the middle of the old town.
Dresden Mitte train station is the
closest to the old town. However, only S-Bahn and regional trains stop
here (e.g. from Leipzig, Görlitz, Zittau, Cottbus, Hoyerswerda). From
here you can take tram lines 1 and 2 to Postplatz or Altmarkt.
By
bus
see also: long-distance buses in Germany
Regionalverkehr
Dresden - RVD travels to/from a large number of towns and communities
around Dresden, up to the Ore Mountains.
Furthermore,
long-distance lines, e.g. several times a day from/to Prague (journey
time approx. 2 hours, from €12); Berlin (2–2½ hours, from €10); Erfurt
or Wroclaw (3½–4½ hours, from €9); Nuremberg (about 4 hours, from €15);
Hamburg (about 6 hours, from €19); Munich or Vienna (each 6-7 hours,
from €19); Stuttgart (about 7 hours); Dortmund or Frankfurt am Main
(each 7-8 hours; from €19) and the Baltic Sea (e.g. Rostock, 6 hours,
from €18).
The most important provider is Flixbus with
connections to numerous cities. The international provider Eurolines
also offers some routes via Dresden. For connections with the Czech
Republic or Berlin, there is also the provider RegioJet, which is often
cheaper than Flixbus. For buses to the Baltic Sea there is the
Ostsee-Express.
The international bus stop in Dresden is
currently still on the south side of the main train station (Bayrische
Straße) and offers space for around two to three buses at the same time.
Due to the strong growth of the domestic German bus lines, the bus stop
is now overloaded and there are plans to build a "real" ZOB. So far,
however, only a few parking spaces have been converted into additional
bus stops. The regional buses usually stop directly at the main exit of
the main station (eastern exit). You have to cross the tram tracks and
you are then at the appropriate stop. Arriving buses stop on the other
side of the street. Both stops are easy to reach by train, city bus and
tram via all stops around the main station.
Neustadt
long-distance bus stop The bus stop situation there is similarly
unsatisfactory.
In the street
Dresden can be reached from the
west or south via the A4 motorway. Coming from the north, the A13
(Berlin/Cottbus) joins the A4 at the Dresdner Dreieck. The motorway's
Elbe bridge has been completely expanded to three lanes, so that this
old bottleneck is no longer a problem. The A17 to Prague was completed
in December 2016 and is continuously passable.
By bicycle
The
Elbe Cycle Path (Saxon Switzerland–Magdeburg) runs along the banks of
the Elbe, in the center also on both sides, through Dresden.
By
boat
There is currently no scheduled service on the water. The only
exception are the steamers of the White Fleet, which serve destinations
in the surrounding area. More information on this in the paddle wheel
steamer section.
The historic city center in particular can be explored comfortably
and most easily on foot. You don't need to plan much more than an hour
or two to stroll past the most important buildings.
Public
transportation
Dresden has a reliable local transport system operated
by Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB). The trams and buses usually run
every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends and in the
evening. Some of the lines also run at night (every 30-60 minutes). The
buses and trams meet at Postplatz and other connection points, so that
you can easily change trains even at a late hour. The DVB network
connects all important and touristically interesting points in the city.
In addition, there are three S-Bahn lines that go to the "suburbs"
of Dresden (such as Freital and Meißen), to the airport in Klotzsche and
to Saxon Switzerland beyond Bad Schandau. However, each S-Bahn line only
runs every 30 minutes, sometimes only once an hour. Double-decker trains
are used on the Dresden S-Bahn, most of which also have toilets. Thanks
to the Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe (VVO), tram and bus tickets are also
valid on the S-Bahn (and vice versa).
Fares: A single ticket
costs €2.70 per person and €1.70 for children aged 6 to 14. We recommend
a day ticket for €6.90 (reduced: €5.80) or a family ticket for €10.60,
which is also accepted on the (yellow) ferries at Pillnitz Castle, for
example (as of Apr 2022). The urban area of Dresden forms a fare zone
(fare zone 10); tickets for price level 1 are required for journeys
within the urban area.
The two Dresden mountain railways, which
are operated by DVB, are not only worth a trip for technical and
historical reasons. Both valley stations are located at Körnerplatz,
which u.a. can be reached by bus lines 61 and 63 (or by tram to
Blasewitz Schillerplatz and then on foot via the "Blaue Wunder" to
Körnerplatz). There is a café at the mountain station of the funicular,
and at the mountain station of the suspension railway there is a
permanent exhibition about suspension railways in general and Dresden in
particular. Due to their now considerable age, however, they are
seasonally closed for inspection, mostly in spring and winter. More
information can be found here and here. A separate tariff applies to
both mountain railways.
Another special DVB means of transport
are the Elbe ferries, which cross the river at three points in the city:
Johannstadt-Neustadt near the center and Niederpoyritz-Laubegast and
Kleinzschachwitz-Pillnitz in the area of the former Elbe hillside
villages in the east. While the Johannstadt-Neustadt ferry is more of a
fun thing given the nearby bridges, the other two are really necessary
in terms of traffic, as the next fixed Elbe crossing would be several
kilometers away. The normal DVB or VVO tickets are also valid on the
ferries.
The Dresden City Card (e.g. 2 days for €15, for families
€22.50) or Dresden Regio Card (e.g. 3 days for €40) is only worthwhile
if you visit at least two museums from the State Art Collections want.
These are included in the price, but not the Historical Green Vault.
A current network map of the Dresden bus and tram lines as well as a
city center map with all lines (PDF) is available here.
Dresden
and the surrounding regions up to the Eastern Ore Mountains are
organized in the Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe and divided into several
tariff zones. If you plan to travel outside the Dresden fare zone, you
should immediately get a ticket for all other fare zones that you pass
through, but this is possible without any problems at all ticket
machines and ticket counters. More information about the exact prices
and lines here.
MOBI
MOBI represents the new range of services
offered by Dresden's public transport company. At the so-called MOBI
points, you can switch between public transport, the bicycle, the MOBI
bike and the partly electric MOBI cars. Bicycle tires can also be
inflated and e-cars charged. However, the services may differ from point
to point. Overall, DVB intends to build more than 50 such points in the
next few years. The services can be used barrier-free via the MOBI app.
Own motor vehicle
Dresden is a city with a good half a million
inhabitants. Even if there are no real bottlenecks or hour-long traffic
jams, you should avoid the city or the arterial roads during rush hour.
There is a well-functioning parking guidance system in the city center
that indicates the number of spaces available. It is generally not a big
problem to find a parking space, but you will always have to pay for it.
The new city council majority has announced that it intends to collect
more money from Parker in the future, so that parking prices can be
expected to rise in the short and medium term. Parking in the city
center costs between one and two euros for an hour. Parking bottlenecks
can occur especially on Saturdays and especially during the
Striezelmarkt, and it is advisable to use the train and bus at this
time. There are also many Park&Ride places in Dresden. The exact
location, capacity and connection can be seen here. In general, all P&Rs
are free and open 24 hours.
city tours
The usual sightseeing
tours start almost all day long from several points in the city center
(e.g. main station, Zwinger, Altmarkt train station). Some offer a
HopOn-HopOff card, with which you can get on and off as often as you
like at all stations of the tour, which operates like a regular bus.
There are several providers, for example Dresden city tour, the
Hummelbahn and combination tours with a tour and/or tour of the DVB
(here you can also just hire a tour guide if you want).
The city
tours by bus mentioned above are a good way to visit many more distant
views such as Pfundsdairy or the Blue Wonder within a short time.
However, if you are interested in the many sights in the old town, we
recommend a ride in the bicycle taxi. Because the buses are not allowed
to drive past the Frauenkirche via the Neumarkt, nor are they scheduled
to drive past the famous procession of princes.
In addition, the
children also get their money's worth. The Sydney's Children's City Tour
offers an experience for young and old! Sydney takes all children
(recommended age: 3-12 years) on an exciting dragon hunt and explains
the sights of the city in a playful, funny and interactive way via its
own audio children's channel. The little ones learn exciting and
interesting facts about Dresden in a child-friendly and entertaining way
via their own audio children's channel. No matter where you get on and
off.
Paddle steamer
Dresden is the home port of the oldest
fleet of paddle steamers in the world, the White Fleet. The Sächsische
Dampfschiffahrt offers trips down the Elbe to Meissen or through the
Elbe valley up into Saxon Switzerland to Děčín in the Czech Republic.
However, many special trips are also offered, for example at Pentecost
or during the Dixieland Festival. If you only want a short trip to the
"Blue Wonder" or Pillnitz Castle, you can do this too (for detailed
information, see the Dresden Elbe Valley section). The steamer fleet is
stationed directly on the Terrassenufer (Brühlsche Terrasse) at the
castle and you can buy tickets and find out more.
Fleet parades
take place on May 1st and August 18th, during which all steamers travel
one after the other down the Elbe through Dresden. At this time you will
find many Dresdeners on the Elbe meadows with a picnic basket to watch
this event. In the winter months there are still trips, but only with a
limited offer.
By bicycle
The bike is enjoying increasing
popularity and is a good alternative to bus and train, especially in the
warm season. Compared to other major German cities, Dresden has become
quite bike-friendly in recent years. There are separate cycle lanes or
lanes in many places. Green waves specially set up for bicycles at
traffic lights or priority circuits also make cycling more attractive.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when parking the bike.
For example, many improperly parked bikes are stolen and then taken to
neighboring countries such as the Czech Republic or Poland. They will be
removed by the city from prohibited places such as driveways or in front
of gates. The Bike and Ride spaces (B+R for short), which form a kind of
large parking lot for bicycles, are particularly suitable for parking.
The Elbe Cycle Path, which is only open to non-motorized visitors,
is particularly recommended, but is very busy on weekends when the
weather is nice. Bicycles can be rented at numerous points.
Bike
Rental System
Nextbike is active in Dresden under the name MOBI-Bike.
The bike can be parked anywhere within the large flex zone in the city
center. Outside there are storage roads or MOBI points where the MOBI
bike can be parked. Holders of the DVB subscription monthly pass have 30
free minutes when renting a bike. More information about MOBI under the
heading MOBI.
Another provider is MietOn. Bikes can be rented at
fixed locations from €6 and returned at all MietOn stations.
Bicycle taxis
A popular and relaxed way to explore the city center or
just to get from one place to another is the Velotaxi or rickshaw taxi
(Tel. +49 (0)160 92708603). These iconic tricycles for one driver and
two guests can be found at popular tourist spots in central Dresden and
stop by hand signals. The first kilometer costs around €6 and each
additional kilometer started €4. The price for an individual 30-minute
bike tour is €22. You can also pre-order vehicles by phone. If more than
four vehicles are pre-ordered, then the companies also work together -
such a rickshaw parade makes a great picture in the city center by the
way. The Velotaxis are often driven by local students, drivers at the
company Rikschataxi usually drive full-time.
Victor Klemperer and Erich Kästner have repeatedly described the
beauty of Florence on the Elbe. Since there was practically no heavy
industry in the city, magnificent buildings and spacious green areas
have blended into a unique cityscape over the course of its eventful
history. Dresden today offers many sights, especially those interested
in history and art will get their money's worth here.
If you want
to visit a variety of sights, especially museums, you can consider
buying a Dresden Welcome Card. They are available in different variants:
All variants have in common discounts at over 70 restaurants, shops,
tours and events; The Dresden City Card also includes free travel by bus
and train in the city area, the Dresden Regio Card is also valid in the
surrounding area, the Dresden Museum Card offers free entry to museums
and exhibitions, and the Dresden Tour Card offers a guided tour of the
old town. The Dresden City Card costs e.g. B. for a single person and
two days 17 €, so it's only worth it if you really want to visit many of
the participating institutions.
The number of sights is so large
that only a selection can be listed here. Further sights and more
detailed descriptions can be found in the four district articles. Most
of the most famous sights are in the old town. The other parts of the
city are not to be despised either!
churches and synagogues
The Frauenkirche is one of the landmarks of the city. It was almost
completely destroyed in World War II, but rebuilt after reunification
and inaugurated in 2005. The magnificent baroque church has one of the
largest stone church domes north of the Alps. The interior is also
extremely lavish. From the dome you have a great view.
The Catholic
court church in the late baroque style between the residential palace
and the Brühlsche Terrasse. The background is that the members of the
Saxon ruling house had been Catholic since August the Strong, although
they ruled over a predominantly Protestant country. The Hofkirche was
designed by Italian artists. It is the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese
of Dresden-Meissen.
The Kreuzkirche is the home of the Kruzians, a
famous boys' choir. After the fire in the Dresden fire storm in 1945,
the exterior was rebuilt, but the interior was not restored. Instead,
the interior walls were covered with a temporary rough plaster, which
gave the rooms an almost cave-like impression.
Dreikönigskirche -
Baroque church in the inner Neustadt, built 1732-39 according to a
design by Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann. Its 87.5 meter high tower
dominates this part of the city.
Russian Orthodox Church - An unusual
sight is the Russian Church in the southern suburbs, built in 1872-74,
with its distinctive turquoise blue onion domes.
The New Synagogue on
Hasenberg. Although its aesthetic divides opinions, in 2001 the
architectural office of Wandel, Hoefer and Lorch received the award for
the best European new building. Visits to the interior are possible and
there is a café.
More in the district articles
Castles
Saxony has never been a major power like Austria or Prussia. Perhaps
this is precisely why the Wettin dynasty and their descendants, who made
Dresden their headquarters in 1485, demonstrated their wealth, culture
and power by building or expanding beautiful palaces and parks that have
survived to this day. This includes:
The residential palace dates
back to the 15th century and was enlarged in the 16th century in the
Renaissance style. Here was the main residence of the Saxon rulers.
Today it functions as the residence of art and science and houses
several museums belonging to the Dresden State Art Collection. The most
important and outstanding of these is the Green Vault (divided into the
Historical and New Green Vault) with almost unbelievably magnificent,
valuable and elaborately designed art and jewelery objects that the
Saxon Electors collected, especially in the Baroque period. There is
also the armory (magnificent weapons and armour), Türckische Cammer
(Ottoman art), copperplate cabinet and coin cabinet. The viewing
platform of the Hausmannsturm can also be climbed.
Procession of
Princes – 102m long and 9.5m high façade image made from around 25,000
Meissen porcelain tiles – probably the largest porcelain image in the
world. The magnificent picture shows a cavalcade with all Saxon and
Meissen rulers from 1127 to 1873.
Zwinger – contrary to what the name
suggests, the Zwinger has not had any function as a fortification since
the times of Augustus the Strong. The Zwingerhof was both a garden and
an orangery – a place for courtly festivities, and even then its
buildings housed the electoral art collections and the library. Today it
houses the Old Masters Picture Gallery (art from the 15th to 18th
centuries, including Raphael's world-famous Sistine Madonna), the
Porcelain Collection and the Mathematical-Physical Salon. They belong to
the Dresden State Art Collections.
Japanese Palace – The late
baroque-classical building housed the collection of East Asian porcelain
at the time of Augustus the Strong. Today the Museum of Ethnology and
the Natural History Collections are housed here.
Elbe Castles – On
the hill on the right bank of the Elbe in the Loschwitz district, not
far from the Blue Wonder Bridge, the Albrechtsberg Castle, the Lingner
Castle and the Eckberg Castle stand out in the vineyard terraces. Only
Albrechtsberg Castle is a castle in the strict sense, namely the former
residence of Prince Albrecht of Prussia. The other two, on the other
hand, were actually "only" the villas of wealthy entrepreneurs, but they
also appear very stately.
Pillnitz Castle – In the southeast, just
outside of the city, this pleasure palace is located directly on the
Elbe. A trip is particularly worthwhile because of the unique garden
with many rare trees and the palm house. A particularly large number of
visitors come every year in April to see the flowering of the giant
camellia, the oldest camellia in Europe.
buildings
Although
the old town was badly damaged by the war and the GDR urban planning,
the most important historical buildings have been restored or rebuilt in
the old style. In addition, there are still areas in Neustadt and other
parts of the city (e.g. Striesen) with almost complete historic
buildings from the pre-war period.
Semperoper - The neo-baroque
former royal court theater from the 19th century is named after its
architect Gottfried Semper. It is a Dresden landmark and one of the most
magnificent opera houses in Europe.
Yenidze - Many visitors
wonder about this striking building that looks like a mosque at first
glance. In fact, it is a former cigarette factory. The chimney was
disguised as a minaret. Today there is a restaurant with the highest
beer garden in Dresden in the cupola. Fairy tale and story evenings as
well as belly dancing performances take place directly under the dome.
The Albertinum at the eastern end of the Brühl Terrace was converted
from the former armory of the Dresden Fortress into a museum at the end
of the 19th century. The New Masters Gallery and the sculpture
collection of the Dresden State Art Collections are kept and exhibited
here.
The Art Academy, also called the Lipsiusbau after its
architect, now houses the Academy of Fine Arts. It stands between the
Brühlsche Terrasse and the Frauenkirche. Its most striking feature is
the fluted glass dome, which can be seen from afar and is popularly
known as the "lemon squeezer".
Königstrasse baroque quarter – The
quarter along Königstrasse and its side streets in the inner new town
was built at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th century. The
largely uniform appearance of the buildings can be traced back to the
strict specifications of Augustus the Strong. In the district you will
find various restaurants and individual, mostly high-priced shops.
Another architecturally interesting district is the Outer Neustadt
(Antonstadt). It is characterized by largely intact streets with
Wilhelminian style multi-family houses in block perimeter development
from the late 19th century. Here, too, most of the buildings follow a
uniform style and yet differ in their individual details. This is the
part of Dresden that Erich Kästner describes in his book When I was a
little boy. Towards the end of the GDR, the outer Neustadt became an
alternative hip district. In the early 1990s there were even (not very
serious) plans to set up an autonomous micro-state under the name Bunte
Republik Neustadt. There is an enormous density of restaurants, cafés,
pubs, bars and small shops as well as (sub)cultural institutions.
Pfunds Dairy – The Pfunds Dairy Shop was entered in the Guinness Book of
Records in 1997 as the most beautiful dairy shop in the world. It is
equipped with almost 250 square meters of hand-painted tiles and shows a
splendor that can no longer be found in today's sales rooms.
Typical
of the cityscape of Dresden are the so-called coffee mill houses in
Striesen from around 1900, which can be found in particularly large
numbers in the Striesen district. These detached multi-family houses in
Wilhelminian style or Art Nouveau bear their name because their shape,
with an almost square base area, a height that roughly corresponds to
the length of the edge, and the mansard roofs, is reminiscent of a
coffee grinder with a little imagination. Other nicknames for this type
of house are "cube houses" or "interest villas". They are usually
surrounded by a garden and often have very decorative facades, which is
why they can be mistaken for villas, although they are apartment
buildings. In Striesen there are areas of several square kilometers in
which whole streets are lined with houses of this type.
Blue Wonder -
Under the city's bridges, the people of Dresden and their visitors are
particularly taken with them. It is officially called the Loschwitz
Bridge and connects the districts of Blasewitz and Loschwitz in the east
of the city. It is a steel construction painted blue. It was considered
a marvel (of engineering) when completed because it was held together
only by rivets. The bridge can be admired particularly well from the
mountain station of the nearby suspension railway.
Villas in
Loschwitz and Weißer Hirsch – The two (besides Blasewitz) best-known and
noblest villa districts in the city are on the right bank of the Elbe on
a 100 meter high, quite steep hill with a wonderful view over the Elbe
valley. Here you will find countless representative and decorative
residential buildings of well-to-do citizens, mostly from the late 19th
century.
Volkswagen had the Phaeton produced in the transparent
factory from 2000 to 2016 with rather moderate success; VW's e-car
production is now located here.
monuments
The Golden Rider -
On the Neustadt side is the famous equestrian statue of Augustus the
Strong. The easiest way to reach it is by walking across the Augustus
Bridge, directly from the Hofkirche and the square in front of the
Semperoper. Those interested in art and culture will find the Japanese
Palace, which now houses the Ethnological Museum, diagonally opposite
the rider. If you take the train, it is best to get off at the
Neustädter Markt stop.
streets and squares
Brühlsche Terrasse
- Named after the Saxon Prime Minister Heinrich Graf von Brühl
(1700-1763) and later known as the Balcony of Europe, the terrace was
once part of the Dresden fortifications and here the northern boundary.
It was built between 1545-55. In the 1740s, Count Brühl had a garden
laid out on the former defensive wall, today's famous Brühlsche
Terrasse. Today it is used as a tourist promenade and extends about 20
meters above the Elbe, a few hundred meters along the river. It leads
past the most important historical buildings (Saxon State House,
Sekundogenitur, Academy of Fine Arts, Jungfernbastei Belvedere Hügel,
Bärenzwinger, Hofgärtnerhaus and Albertinum). On the opposite side of
the river you can see the representative buildings of the royal Saxon
government district (state chancellery and ministries).
Neumarkt with
the Frauenkirche and the Johanneum (transport museum). In addition to
the rebuilt Dresden landmark, some new rows of houses in the historical
style have also been created here. The reconstruction of the baroque
buildings is controversial, while some are happy about the resurrection
of the "old" Dresden, others see it as a pseudo-historical "Disneyland".
Schlossplatz framed by the Saxon Estates House (today the seat of the
Higher Regional Court), the Residenzschloss with the Georgentor, the
Hofkirche and the Augustus Bridge. In the middle of the square is an
equestrian statue of Friedrich August I, who - by Napoleon's grace -
became the first king of Saxony in 1806.
Theater square with
Hofkirche, Semperoper and Zwinger. Here, visitors from all over the
world come and go. A visit to the square is a must when visiting the
city.
Big garden . One of the most beautiful and largest city parks in
Germany. Cyclists and skaters like to use the several kilometers of
paths, while children enjoy a ride on the park railway (gauge 15 inches)
or a visit to the zoo. In the center of the complex is the Palais in the
Great Garden and the Palaisteich. On the south side is the Carolasee,
with the small Carolaschlösschen, where you can sit and have a snack. In
summer you can also rent rowing boats on the pond. On the west side, at
the entrance from the stadium and Hygiene Museum, is the Torwirtschaft,
another beer garden.
The approximately 1.8 km² large facility is
about 950m long and 1900m wide. The heart of the complex is the palace
built between 1678 and 1683, which is considered one of the showpieces
of Saxon Baroque. Built according to plans by Johann Georg Starcke, the
three-story building was actually a venue for the festivals of the Saxon
court and later also a museum. it was destroyed in February 1945 and has
only been shining in its old glory for a few years. Unfortunately, the
interior work is not yet complete, so that currently only the ground
floor can be used as an exhibition space for baroque sculptures and
events. The Palais is located at the intersection of the park's two main
axes, and directly east of it is the Palaisteich.
The Great Garden
can be reached in about 20 minutes on foot from the palace or, more
easily, by bus and tram to the Straßburger Platz stop (this is also
where the Transparent Factory is located), Georg-Arnhold-Bad stop (the
Hygiene Museum is around the corner), Lennéplatz Stop (near
Rudolf-Harbig-Stadium), Zoo stop, or better Querallee stop or via the
northern entrances at the Comeniusplatz stop and Karcherallee stop.
Botanical Garden (Straba 1, 2, 4, 10, 12, 13 "Strassburger Platz").
A botanical garden was first established in Dresden in 1820. It has been
at its present location in the Great Garden since 1893. It is managed by
the Technical University of Dresden and is home to around 10,000 plant
species. Open: April–September: outdoors 8 a.m.–6 p.m., greenhouses 10
a.m.–6 p.m.; March/October: all 10am-5pm; February/November: 10am-4pm;
December - January: 10am - 3.30pm. Price: Admission free.
3 Dresden
Zoo, Tiergartenstrasse 1 (Straba 9, 10, 13, Bus 62, 75 "Zoo"). Tel.:
(0)351 - 4780 60, fax: (0)351 - 4780 660, e-mail: info@zoo-dresden.de.
Tiergartenstrasse 1.
Blüherpark (Georg-Arnhold-Bad bus stop).
Landscape garden originally laid out in the 17th century near the Great
Garden (between the Hygiene Museum, Georg-Arnhold-Bad and Dynamo
Stadium). In the 18th century it belonged to the Chevalier de Saxe (an
illegitimate son of Augustus the Strong), then to the second-born Saxon
prince (hence also called the garden of secundogeniture). The city of
Dresden acquired the site in 1926 and made it available to the Hygiene
Museum, and the park was named after the Mayor at the time, Bernhard
Blüher. The facility was destroyed during the air raids on Dresden,
restored after the war but not true to the original. Only in the 2000s
was it redesigned according to historical specifications, including
baroque sandstone vases and antique-style statues.
Bürgerwiese (Hans-
Dankner-Strasse stop). Another approximately 10-hectare landscaped
garden adjoins the Blüherpark to the south and west. It is the oldest
green space in Dresden. There are also some large sculptures here,
including the gilded Mozart fountain from 1907 (reconstructed in 1988
after war damage and restored in 1991), the marble group Venus and Cupid
from 1886 and the "Bathers" by Bruno Fischer (1908).
Prießnitzgrund
(accessible from Stauffenbergallee or An der Prießnitz; near the
Military History Museum and Garrison Church of St. Martin;
Hans-Oster-Straße stop or Stauffenbergallee stop). Only one kilometer
from the urban center of Neustadt and you are already in the forest. On
a walk along the babbling Prießnitz in the part of the Dresdner Heide
conservation area closest to the city center, it is hard to believe that
you are actually still in the middle of the big city.
Museums
Dresden has a diverse museum landscape with over 50 institutions, above
all the famous art exhibitions, but also collections on history, natural
sciences, social issues, technology, music and literature as well as
important personalities.
State Arts Collection
The most famous
are certainly the Dresden State Art Collections (SKD). A day ticket for
all SKD museums – with the exception of the historic Green Vault – costs
€19. But you can also buy a single ticket for each of the museums.
Admission to all SKD museums is free for children and young people under
the age of 17.
A large part is located in the Residenzschloss
(see above):
Historical Green Vault
green Vault
Kupferstich-Kabinett
coin cabinet
Armory and Turkish Chamber
Housed in the kennel are:
Old Masters Picture Gallery in the
Semper Building
porcelain collection
Mathematical and Physical
Salon
In the Albertinum on the Brühlsche Terrasse:
Galerie
Neue Meister, Tzschirnerplatz 2. Collection of paintings from the 19th
and 20th centuries (Romanticism, bourgeois realism and impressionism).
Here you will find some of the most important works by the Romantics
Caspar David Friedrich, Carl Gustav Carus and Ludwig Richter, the
Impressionists Max Liebermann, Lovis Corinth and Max Slevogt and the
Expressionist Otto Dix, but also by the contemporary artists Gerhard
Richter and Georg Baselitz.
Sculpture collection in the Albertinum.
Sculptures from the 1800s. Open: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm
Both museums
present modern art from the 19th century to the present in all its
genres. Through the works of art, they are in dialogue with one another,
complementing and encountering one another. Admission to the Albertinum
(valid for the picture gallery and sculpture collection) costs €12 for
full-paying adults, reduced €9, free for children under 17 years of age.
24 Kunsthalle im Lipsiusbau, Georg-Treu-Platz 1 (between
Frauenkirche and Brühlscher Terrasse, opposite Albertinum)
wikipediacommons. Changing art exhibitions by contemporary painters have
been on display here since 2005. Open: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm. Price:
Depending on the exhibition (currently €6). Edit info
Other museums
belonging to the Dresden State Art Collections (SKD) are:
Museum
of Ethnology Dresden, Palaisplatz 11 (in the Japanese Palace). Tel.: +49
(0)351 8144840, e-mail: besucherservice@skd.museum . Collection of art
and everyday objects (sculptures, jewellery, crockery and weapons) from
various cultures in Oceania, Africa, America, Asia, Australia and
Europe. A highlight is the Dresden Damascus Room with Ottoman wood
paneling from 1810. Open: Sat-Sun 11am-6pm. Price: Admission free.
Museum of Applied Arts, August-Böckstiegel-Straße 2 (in the mountain and
water palace of Pillnitz Castle). Permanent exhibition on decorative and
applied art in the form of furniture, crockery, textiles, glass and
everyday objects from late antiquity, but above all from the Baroque to
the present. Temporary exhibitions in the field of design. Open: Tue-Sun
10am-6pm; Winter closing time from the beginning of November to the end
of April. Price: full-payer €8, reduced €6, under 17s free.
Museum
for Saxon Folk Art, Jägerhof, Köpckestraße 1. Local history museum of
Saxony with objects of folk art from the various regions of the Free
State (including the Ore Mountains, Upper Lusatia, Vogtland). Also
attached is one of the largest puppet theater collections in the world.
Open: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm. Price: full-payer €5, reduced €4, under 17s
free.
Museums of the City of Dresden
The city of Dresden
supports a number of museums. The magnificent baroque 28 country house
at Wilsdruffer Straße 2 (Pirnaischer Platz stop) accommodates:
Dresden City Museum. Permanent exhibition on the history of the city.
Open: Tue-Sun 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri until 7 p.m. Price: Admission €4,
children up to 6 years free, families €12, free entry on Fridays from 12
p.m
Municipal Gallery. The main focus of the collection of paintings
is the 19th and 20th centuries. Open: Tue-Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Fri
until 7 p.m. Price: full-payer €5, reduced €4, children under 7 free;
free on Fridays from 12 p.m.
Other museums are:
Carl Maria von
Weber Museum, OT Hosterwitz, Dresdner Strasse 44 (Bus 63 "Van Gogh
Strasse"). Music museum at the former summer residence of the romantic
composer Carl Maria von Weber. Open: Wed-Sun and public holidays
1pm-6pm. Price: full-payer €4, reduced €3; Free entry on Fridays.
Kraszewski Museum, Nordstraße 28 (Bus 74 "Arno-Holz-Allee") . Literary
museum dedicated to the Polish writer Józef Ignacy Kraszewski
(1812–1887), who lived in exile in Dresden from 1863 to 1883. Open:
Wed-Sun and public holidays 1pm-6pm. Price: full-payer €4, reduced €3;
Free entry on Fridays.
Kügelgenhaus – Museum of Dresden Romanticism,
Hauptstrasse 13 (near Neustädter Markt). One of the historic baroque
houses in the inner Neustadt, the former home of Gerhard von Kügelgen
(1772-1820), is dedicated to the Romantic era, which had one of its
centers in Dresden. Philosophy and literature, painting and music are
discussed.
Schiller house, Schillerstrasse 19. The smallest museum in
Dresden is located in the Loschwitz cottage where Friedrich Schiller
lived during his stays in Dresden in 1786 and 1787. It is dedicated to
the poet's life and work during this period. Open: Easter to the end of
September: Sat+Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed in the winter months. Price:
Admission free.
Kunsthaus Dresden (City Gallery for Contemporary
Art), Rähnitzgasse 8.
Leonhardi Museum (Hentschelmühle), Grundstraße
26
Palitzsch Museum (Prohlis homeland and Palitzsch Museum),
Gamigstraße 24.
Dresden Technical Collections, Junghansstraße 1-3 (in
the Ernemann factory in the Striesen district; Straba 4, 10
"Pohlandplatz")
Deutsches Hygiene-Museum, Lingnerplatz 1 (Straba 10, 13
"Georg-Arnhold-Bad" or 1, 2, 4, 12 "Deutsches Hygiene-Museum"). Another
large museum of national importance. Its name is a bit misleading and
seems a bit out of date. When the Hygiene Museum was founded in 1912, it
was actually designed to educate, instruct and educate the population
about hygiene. The initiator was the manufacturer Karl August Lingner
(see also Lingner Castle on the Elbe), who sold the Odol mouthwash.
Today, however, the museum has moved quite far away from this and
creates very different exhibitions on different aspects of human life,
both from a cultural and scientific perspective. It is housed in a
spacious building from 1928-1930 (rebuilt after being destroyed in the
war), which stylistically moves between neoclassicism and Bauhaus. The
best-known attraction is the glass man, two life-size anatomical models
of people (man and woman) made of transparent plastic, inside which you
can see the skeleton, internal organs, blood vessels and nerve tracts.
Open: Tue-Sun and public holidays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Price: full-payer
€9, reduced €4, family €14, children under 16 free. One ticket is valid
on two consecutive opening days.
Bundeswehr Military History Museum,
Olbrichtplatz 2 (Straba 7, 8 "Stauffenbergallee"). Germany's largest and
most important museum for military history. It is housed in the former
arsenal in Albertstadt, a district that was created for the Saxon army
in the 19th century and includes extensive barracks, garrison church,
former army bakery, armory, military court, etc. The former army museum
of the GDR was completely redesigned under the aegis of the Bundeswehr
and rebuilt according to plans by the architect Daniel Libeskind. The
most striking element is the deconstructivist, wedge-shaped installation
on the facade, which i.a. as an allusion to the bombing raids on Dresden
in 1945, but also as a symbol for the new exhibition concept. The museum
does not want to glorify or ideologically condemn soldiers and war
technology, but place them in a historical and scientific context. The
exhibition is largely structured chronologically; in the new building,
on the other hand, topics and questions that span epochs are dealt with
in a themed course. A branch of the MHM is at the Königstein Fortress in
Saxon Switzerland. Open: Mon 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tue and Thu-Sun 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m., closed on Wed. Price: permanent exhibition €5, reduced €3,
family €7; Permanent and temporary exhibition 7/4/10 €.
Senckenberg
Natural History Collections Dresden, Japanese Palace, Palaisplatz 11.
Tel.: +49 (0)351-81085304 . The State Natural History Collections,
consisting of the Museum of Zodiac, the Museum of Mineralogy and Geology
and the Natural History Central Library, have belonged to the national
Senckenberg Society for Natural Research since 2009, which is also
reflected in the new name. There are currently no adequate permanent
exhibition rooms for the extensive collections stored in
Dresden-Klotzsche. In the Japanese Palace, the Senckenberg shows
changing special exhibitions on natural history topics. Open: Tue-Sun
10am-6pm. Price: full-payer €4, reduced €2.
Dresden Fortress Museum
(Dresden Kasematten; below Brühlsche Terrasse)
Dresden Transport
Museum, Augustusstraße 1, 01067 Dresden (in the Johanneum on Neumarkt).
Tel.: +49 (0)351 864 40, fax: +49 (0)351 864 41 10, e-mail:
info@verkehrs.museum . The museum, which opened in 1956, has 5,000 m² of
exhibition space showing exhibits on the history of the individual modes
of transport: rail, road, air and shipping. There are also special
exhibitions, a bobby car traffic garden, experimental and children's
areas and a 0-gauge model railway system with an area of 325 square
meters. Open: Tue-Sun: 10:00-18:00. Price: adults €7, children (from 6
years €3.50.
Erich Kästner Museum (House of Literature Villa
Augustin), Antonstraße 1 (at Albertplatz). Tel.: +49 (0)351-8045086,
email: info@erich-kaestner-museum.de . The Literary Museum is dedicated
to one of the city's most famous sons, who is best known for his
children's books (Emil and the Detectives, Pünktchen und Anton,
Lottchen, etc.), but who also wrote for adults. Kästner grew up in
nearby Königsbrücker Strasse. His uncle lived in the Villa Augustin, a
rich horse dealer, whom the young Kästner often visited, as he describes
in his autobiographical book “When I was a little boy”. The museum is
designed as an interactive "micro-museum" with original exhibits,
videos, books and 13 movable modules that reveal various aspects of the
author's life and work. The whole thing is equally suitable for
children, young people and adults. The “Erich-Kästner-Viertel” project
is linked to the museum: you can use your smartphone to move through
Neustadt and discover places that are related to Kästner. Open: Sun-Wed
and Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Thu only school classes, Sat closed. Price:
full-payer €5, reduced €3
The world of the GDR, in the high-rise at
Albertplatz, Antonstrasse 2a. The museum on four floors is dedicated to
everyday life in the GDR. Countless original items of daily use and
rooms of facilities and organizations (kindergarten, school, work,
living, shopping, vacation, sports and leisure) that are faithfully
reproduced to the original should enable a "journey through time" to
this epoch. There are also numerous GDR vehicles that were taken over
from the former Dresden Automobile Museum. Open: daily 9.30am - 6pm.
Price: full-payer €9, reduced €7, family €20, children up to 6 years
free; Tue is student day, Wed is senior day (€4 each); Combined ticket
with the Bautzner Straße memorial €12.
Book Museum of the SLUB, Saxon
State Library, Zellescher Weg 18 (Bus 61, 63 "State and University
Library"). Phone: +49 (0)351-4677-580. Collection and exhibition of rare
and valuable historical books. It emerged from the Zimelienzimmer of the
Royal Saxon Library. The highlight of the book museum's treasury is the
Codex Dresdensis, a Mayan manuscript from the 13th century. In addition,
a Sumerian clay cone with cuneiform writing, parts of the Bibliotheca
Corviniana (UNESCO World Document Heritage), a copy of the Mainz Psalter
from 1457, several Gutenberg prints, a sketchbook by Albrecht Dürer,
lecture manuscripts by Martin Luther, astronomical globes by Johann
Gabriel Doppelmayr and autographs by the composers Vivaldi, Bach,
Schumann and Wagner can be admired. Open: daily 10am-6pm; public guided
tour of the treasury Sa 2 p.m.
A very special experience is the
panometer in an old gas station. In the large, round building you can go
up a tower in the middle and admire a huge 360° picture that shows
Dresden as it looked in 1756. You stand simulated on the tower of the
Hofkirche and have a very nice view of the then relatively small old and
new town (the Great Garden was already outside), as well as the parks
and Elbe meadows outside the city and the wider area. Hundreds of
different citizens enliven the picture, where you sometimes need
binoculars to see all the details. It is a fascinating insight into the
history of the city, which was perhaps even more beautiful 250 years ago
than it is today, especially for those who have gotten to know Dresden
today.
Munich Square Memorial, Munich Square 3. The Dresden Regional
Court was located here from 1907 to 1956. Political opponents were
convicted and executed both during the National Socialist era and during
the Soviet occupation and the Stalinist phase of the GDR; etc. died here
in 1944/45 the anti-fascist resistance fighters Kurt Schlosser, Georg
Schumann, Alfred Frank and Margarete Blank, after the end of the war
then the "euthanasia" doctor Paul Nitsche, the insurgents of June 17,
1953 Erna Dorn and Ernst Jennrich and 1955 Elli Barczatis and Karl
Laurenz, who had spied for the West in the GDR. Open: Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to
4 p.m., Sat+Sun and public holidays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; public guided
tour (free of charge) Sat+Sun and public holidays 2 p.m.
Bautzner
Strasse Memorial, Bautzner Strasse 112a (Straba 11, Bus 74
"Angelikastrasse") . Former detention center of the MfS ("Stasi"). Open:
daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Price: full-payer €6, reduced €3; Combined
ticket with the museum "The World of the GDR" available for €12.
KraftWerk - Dresden Energy Museum, power plant Mitte 26 (S-Bahn station
Mitte). Tel.: +49 (0)351-8604180, email: kontakt@kraftwerk-museum.de.
Museum of the Dresdner Stadtwerke DREWAG in the former thermal power
station Mitte on the topics of gas, electricity, water supply and
district heating. Open: Wed 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (all year round), October
to June also Sat 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Museum Hofmühle, Altplauen 19 (at
Dresden-Plauen S-Bahn station). Mill technology and local history museum
in the Bienertmühle Dresden-Plauen. Exhibitions on mill technology and
local history in Plauen, on the Dresden dancer and dance teacher Gret
Palucca (who was married to the son of the mill owner) and on old
chocolate molds and decorative tin cans from the Anton Reiche company.
Open: Tue+Thu 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sun 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Summer break from
early June to mid-September. Price: full-payer €3, reduced €2, children
up to 12 years €1.
School Museum, Seminarstraße 11 (Mitte S-Bahn
station). Phone: +49 (0)351-2130156 . Museum of the school system in the
past with a simulated classroom from the imperial era, a reform school
from the 1920s, the Third Reich and the GDR. Open: Thurs 2pm-6pm. Price:
full-payer €3, reduced €2, children €1.
Dresden Tramway Museum,
Trachenberger Straße 38 (64, 70, 76 "Trachenberge depot" or Straba 3
"Trachenberger Platz"). Collection of historic tram vehicles. Visiting
the museum halls, the workshop area and the historical wagons is
possible once a month (first Saturday of the month); once every six
months (spring and autumn) there is also a weekend where round trips on
historical trains from the museum inventory are offered. Open: only 1st
Sat of the month 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Price: €5.
Railway Museum (former
railway depot Dresden-Altstadt), Zwickauer Str. 86, 01187 Dresden (Bus
61 "Zwickauer Str."). Phone: +49 (0)171 260 18 02, email:
kontakt@igbwdresdenaltstadt.de . Collection of historic railway
vehicles, especially steam locomotives from the times of the Royal Saxon
State Railways and the German Reichsbahn. Open: April to October on many
Saturdays, see website for dates. Price: Museum day €4, concessions €3,
children under 14 free;
In the suburb of Radebeul, 7 km outside of
Dresden, there is also the Karl May Museum in the "Villa Shatterhand"
(reachable by S-Bahn in 15-20 minutes).
vantage points
Bismarck Column Observation Tower - The 24 meter high tower offers an
excellent view from the southern elevation over Dresden's old town. In
good weather you can see wonderfully as far as Saxon Switzerland and
beyond Radebeul. To the south you can still see the Babisnauer poplar.
Opening hours 2014 to 07.01.2015: Thurs. - Sun. and public holidays 10
a.m. - 6 p.m.
Town Hall Tower . The 100.3 meter high tower has become
the tallest building in the old town thanks to a trick. King Friedrich
August III. had determined that the building could not be higher than
the 100m high castle tower (Hausmannsturm). However, the addition of a
5.05 m high golden figure to the tower made it the tallest building in
the old town. The viewing platform is 68m high and is accessible via a
two-part elevator. Open: March 20-March 31 October: daily 10 a.m. to 6
p.m., the last ascent is at 5.30 p.m. Price: Admission €3, reduced:
€1.70, family ticket: €7.
Hausmann's tower of the Residenzschloss.
The 100m high tower can be climbed. Access is via the entrance to the
Residenzschloss (Sophienstraße/corner of Taschenberg) Open: late
March–early November: Wed–Mon 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tues closed. Price:
Admission €5, concessions €4, children under 16 free. The Hausmannsturm
is included in the Residenzschloss ticket (€12).
Tower of the
Kreuzkirche, An der Kreuzkirche 6, 01067 Dresden. Tel: (0)351 43939646,
(0)351 4393920. Built in 1792, the tower is 92m high. There are 256
steps to climb to the viewing platform at a height of 54m. View from the
south of the Altmarkt, Frauenkirche etc. Open: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat
10am-3pm, Sun 12pm-6pm, last ascent 30 minutes before closing, changes
are possible due to rehearsals or concert preparations. Price: €4,
students: €2.50, children 6-14 years: €1.50, families with their own
children up to 14 years: €8.
Dome ascent Frauenkirche − The dome of
Dresden's landmark can be climbed.
Open Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm, Sun
12:30pm - 6pm; Nov-Feb: 10am-4pm, Sun 12:30pm-4pm; · Admission: €8;
reduced: €5; Family ticket: €20; Waiting times may have to be planned
for. A lift takes you 24m up to the beginning of the dome, then you have
to walk up a narrow staircase and then up a spiral ramp. The last piece
is formed by the rungs of an iron ladder to the 67m high viewing
platform. Use the stairwell instead of the elevator to go down.
Tower
of the Dreikönigskirche − in Dresden Neustadt. From the viewpoint on the
right of the same in Dresden Neustadt you have a beautiful view of the
baroque old town with the banks of the Elbe. The 87.5 meter high tower
was added to the nave between 1853 and 1857. The viewing platform is
accessible via a staircase. · Opening hours:
March to October:
Monday: day off, Tue. 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Wed.-Sat. 11:00 a.m. -
5:00 p.m., Sundays and public holidays: 11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m
November to February: Mon.-Tues. Day off, Wed. 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.,
Thu. and Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sun./holidays 12:30 p.m. - 4:30
p.m
Admission: €1.50, reduced: €1, children up to 10 years are free
It is not possible to climb the tower until mid-December 2014!
Suspension railway mountain station and 59 Luisenhof wikipediacommons in
Dresden-Loschwitz: Beautiful views of the Elbe and the Blue Wonder; see
the section For railway enthusiasts for more information.
Mountain railways in Dresden Loschwitz
Suspension railway Dresden
- With the oldest mountain suspension railway in the world in 3 minutes
to the beautiful vantage point in Dresden-Loschwitz. The 274 m long
monorail, which went into service on May 6, 1901, is similar to the
Wuppertal suspension railway. However, it is powered by a rope. There is
a viewing platform on the engine house, which can be reached either via
an external elevator or via stairs in the building. From up here you
have a beautiful view of the Dresden Elbe valley and the "Blaues Wunder"
bridge. The best way is to take the outside elevator up and down the
stairs inside the building. You can look at the vivid exhibition about
the history of the suspension railway. You can see e.g. Models of the
old wagons and a film about the history of the railways. The exhibition
and the viewing platform with elevator are accessible free of charge
with a ticket.
The machine house can also be viewed by prior
arrangement (tel.: +49 (0)351 8572410, or fax +49 (0)351 8572413, mail).
Good to know: toilets can be found to the right of the mountain station.
The user fee is 50 cents (you need it as a 50 cent coin).
Travel
times: in 2019 daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every 15 minutes. Info
with timetable on dvb.de.
Refreshment stop: Cafe Schwebebahn right
next to the mountain station
Funicular Dresden - in 5 minutes to
the villa suburb Weißer Hirsch in Dresden-Loschwitz, 547m uphill with
96m difference in altitude.
Travel times: Info with timetable on
dvb.de. Operating times: In 2019 from 6:30 a.m. (Sat & Sun only from
9:08 a.m.) to 8:23 p.m., intervals depending on the day of the week: 10
to 15 minutes
important to know: There is no freely accessible
vantage point in the area of the mountain station of the funicular.
Refreshment stop: Luisenhof (gastronomy with a large panoramic terrace,
slightly higher prices).
Fares for the funicular or the suspension
railway (both have the same tariff):
Adults: ascent or descent: €4,
ascent and descent: €5
Reduced (children 6-14 years, dog, bicycle):
ascent or descent: €2.50, ascent and descent: €3
Family ticket for
ascent and descent: €10 (2 adults and 4 children aged 6-14).
Local
transport tickets are not valid. But: If you have a valid day ticket for
the Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe or the Dresden transport company, you can
buy a discounted ticket for the mountain railways.
The valley
stations of both mountain railways are close together not far from the
Loschwitzer bridge "Blaues Wunder". · Valley station: Bus 61, 63
"Körnerplatz" or tram 6 or 12 to "Schillerplatz" and then walk over the
Blauer Wunder (10 min.). Location of Loschwitz: 51° 3′ 15″ N 13° 48′ 52″
E
While the valley stations are only about a two-minute walk away
from each other, the mountain stations are separated from each other by
a valley, so the walk between the two mountain stations takes almost an
hour.
Park railway in the Great Garden
park railway. Tel.: +49
(0)351 445 67 95, e-mail: parkeisenbahn@schloesserland-sachsen.de. The
historic Dresden Park Railway was opened in 1950 as a children's
railway. With a gauge of 381 mm, it is one of the midget railways. The
two steam locomotives were built in 1925, one electric battery
locomotive each in 1962 and 1982. Since the year 2000, the route network
has covered a length of 5.6 km with 5 stations. Price: Round trip:
Adults €4, concessions €2 (see website for details).
Railways in
the Dresden area
Narrow-gauge steam train "Lößnitzdackel" from
Radebeul via Moritzburg to Radeburg - Arrival: S-Bahn S1,
Regional-Express RE 50 or bus 327: "Radebeul-Ost"
Steam narrow-gauge
railway Weißeritztalbahn from Freital-Hainsberg - Kurort Kipsdorf -
arrival: S-Bahn S3, S30, regional train RB30: direction Tharandt -
Freiberg to station "Freital-Hainsberg", bus 345, 348, 376, 400
annual steam engine meeting
Annual steam engine meeting around the
former Dresden-Altstadt depot on Zwickauer Strasse. Several special
trains with interesting guest locomotives arrive in Dresden, many
historic railway vehicles can be viewed in the old town.
various
The Dresden Elbe Valley, with its three castles integrated into the
vineyards, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 24th, 2005.
Due to the construction of the controversial Waldschlösschen Bridge, the
status was revoked on June 25, 2009.
Karl August Lingner had
unerringly chosen the middle of the Elbe castles as his residence. He,
who had made a millionaire through the ingenious marketing of the Odol
mouthwash at the beginning of the 20th century, was at the same time an
enthusiastic enlightener of the population on health issues, which the
hygiene museum in the city also bears witness to.
Steamer trips:
The best way to get to know the Dresden Elbe Valley is to take a trip on
a paddle steamer. If you want to do sports, you can also use the
well-developed Elbe cycle path by bike. Excursions by paddle steamer
from Dresden-Terrassenufer in the city center:
Blue Wonder and
mountain railways in Dresden-Loschwitz - A beautiful destination in the
Elbe valley is the district of Loschwitz with the "Blue Wonder" bridge
and the two mountain railways. From the city center, these sights are
about 5.5 km up the Elbe.
Steamer station Blasewitz, Fares with liner
in 2012 from Dresden Terrassenufer (= city center):
Adults: one-way:
€5.50, return: €10.50; (Children between 3 and 14 years pay half price,
children under 3 years are free)
Journey times from Terrassenufer: 40
minutes
Pillnitz Castle and Park - 12.5km upstream from the town
center is Pillnitz Castle with its beautiful castle park.
Pillnitz
steamer station, Fares for liners in 2012 from Dresden-Terrassenufer (=
city center):
One way: €10.50, return: €16.50.
Journey times from
Terrassenufer: 90 minutes upstream, 60 minutes downstream
Guides and Tours
Dresden's sights as part of round trips, themed
and costume tours.
Cherrytours Dresden - My city tour (Cherrytours
GmbH), Reitbahnstr. 35. Tel.: +49 351 4867102, email:
office@cherrytours.de. City tours privately or in small groups for
individualists. Tours available daily, also in different languages.
Individual start and end points possible on request. Price: from 15 EUR.
Accepted payment methods: Cash, Master, Visa
Segway Tour Dresden (Seg
Tour GmbH), Reitbahnstr. 35. Tel: +49 351 4867101, Email:
info@segwaytour-dresden.de. City tour on various routes through Dresden
with the electric standing scooter "Segway®". In addition to the Classic
Tour to the most famous sights, there is also a tour along the Elbe to
choose from. Also bookable for events, company outings or bachelor
parties. Price: EUR 85.00. Accepted payment methods: Cash, Master, Visa,
Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, EC.
Tour Dresden with the double-decker
bus and tickets to various sights are already included in the fare.
With an audio guide for the smartphone or an MP3 city guide, you can put
together your own individual city tour.
Discover Dresden from the
artistic side and visit museums and exhibitions.
Discovery tours on
land, on water and on rails as well as night watchman tours and visits
to individual sights.
Culture and entertainment
Theatre
Dresden has a diverse theater landscape that radiates nationwide. The
most famous lighthouse is the State Opera (Semperoper) - one of the most
renowned opera houses in Europe. The Long Night of Dresden Theaters in
April each year gives you the opportunity to get to know several
theaters in one evening.
1 Saxon State Opera Dresden
(Semperoper), Theaterplatz 2. Email: info@semperoper-erleben.de .
Classical music theater of international standing in the opulent hall of
the restored Royal Court Theatre. The State Opera also has a dance
division: the Semperoper Ballet. Connected to the Semperoper is the
Staatskapelle Dresden, which not only accompanies performances of opera
and ballet, but also plays symphony concerts.
2 Staatsschauspiel
Dresden, Theaterstrasse 2. Tel.: +49 (0)351-4913-555 . Largest
professional straight theater in the city.
3 Staatsschauspiel Kleines
Haus, Glacisstraße 28.
4 Dresden State Operetta, Kraftwerk Mitte 1.
Tel.: +49 (0)351-32042-222, email: karten@staatsoperette.de. The only
independent operetta theater in Germany; with its own orchestra. In
addition to operettas, the program also includes operas and musicals.
5 Theater Junge Generation (state operetta), Kraftwerk Mitte 1. Tel.:
+49 (0)351-32042777, e-mail: theaterkasse@tjg-dresden.de. Children's and
youth theater, but the plays can also be interesting for adults. There
is puppet theater and classical drama with a professional ensemble, e.g.
T. but also with the participation of young people from the theater
club. Price: full-payer €12, reduced €6, children up to 14 years €5.50
6 Theaterkahn Dresden, Terrassenufer at the Augustus Bridge. Phone: +49
(0)351-4969450. A former barge, which was moored below the Augustus
Bridge not far from the Schlossplatz and the Semperoper, has served as
the venue for the Dresdner Brettl Theater since 1994.
7
Societaetstheater, At the Dreikönigskirche 1a. Phone: +49 (0)351-8036810
. The oldest theater in the city, supported by civic commitment (and not
by the princely court), was founded in 1776 and performs in a baroque
garden house in the inner Neustadt. It was dissolved for more than 150
years and was revived in 1999.
8 Boulevardtheater Dresden (formerly
Theater Wechselbad), Maternistraße 17 . edit info
9 Theaterhaus Rudi,
Fechnerstrasse 2a (Trachau/Kaditz district; Straba 4, Bus 70, 80
"Rankestrasse"). Tel.: +49 (0)351 849 19 25 . Amateur theater venue:
Various amateur theater groups perform in the former “Rudi Arndt” youth
clubhouse.
10 Herkuleskeule, Kulturpalast, Schloßstraße 2. The ultimate in
Eastern cabaret (Der Spiegel) and stands for the best political cabaret
(SZ)
11 Cabaret Breschke & Schuch, Wettiner Platz 10 . Political
satire.
12 Comedy Dresden, World Trade Center, Freiberger Str. 39 .
13 Carte Blanche Travesty Revue Theater, Prießnitzstrasse 10 .
Franks
KleinKunstKeller, in the Steiger at Landhaus (formerly Szeged),
Wilsdruffer Str. 4-6.
Dresden is an important music metropolis. The Dresdner Kreuzchor –
one of the most important German boys' choirs has existed since the 14th
century. In the 17th century, the Saxon court orchestra, conducted by
Heinrich Schütz, was one of the most renowned orchestras in Europe.
Later, the composers Carl Maria von Weber, Richard Wagner and Sergei
Rachmaninoff lived and worked here. Recently, bands like Electra, Lift,
Last Instance or Polarkreis 18 have been associated with Dresden.
Saxon State Orchestra Dresden, Semperoper, Theaterplatz 2 . One of
the largest and best-known classical orchestras in Germany, conducted by
Christian Thielemann since 2012. The Staatskapelle accompanies the opera
and ballet performances, but also plays symphony concerts in the
Semperoper. In addition, instrumentalists of the Staatskapelle also play
in chamber concerts. Occasionally, the Staatskapelle is out and about in
the bars of Dresden Neustadt “without tails”.
14 Dresden Philharmonic
Hall, Kulturpalast, Schloßstraße 2 (at the Altmarkt) . The city's second
major and professional classical orchestra. His regular venue is the
modernized Kulturpalast. Individual concerts also take place in the
Hygiene Museum, the Frauenkirche and at Albrechtsberg Castle. The
Philharmonic Choir is connected to the orchestra. In addition, organ
concerts are offered with the large Eule concert organ of the
Kulturpalast.
Every year in May and June, the Dresden Music Festival,
one of the most renowned classical music festivals in Europe, presents
more than 60 events ranging from classical to world music to dance in
Dresden's famous venues
Dresden Kreuzchor, Kreuzkirche. Phone: +49
(0)351-4393939 . One of the oldest and best-known boys' choirs in
Germany. On Saturday afternoons he regularly makes music as part of the
Kreuzchorvespers in the Kreuzkirche (free entry, but you have to buy a
program for €3). There are also concerts on public holidays and special
occasions. The concerts in Advent, at Christmas (Christmas Vespers),
Easter or Pentecost are particularly popular; then there are long queues
at the entrances to the Kreuzkirche.
Saxon vocal ensemble. Renowned
chamber choir, performs regularly in the Frauenkirche. His repertoire
includes i.a. Works by Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn and Schumann.
Dresden Symphony Orchestra. Symphony Orchestra for Contemporary Music.
Performed (partly also premiered) e.g. B. Works by Frank Zappa, John
McLaughlin or John Adams. The program also includes music from Asia, the
Middle East and Latin America, as well as crossovers across musical
styles and genres.
Alter Schlachthof, Gothaer Strasse 11 (Straba 4, 9
"Alter Schlachthof"). Dresden's premier venue for pop and rock concerts,
on the site of a 19th-century industrial monument. When nationally or
internationally known "headliners" come to Dresden, they usually perform
in the slaughterhouse. Comedians, cabaret artists and magicians also use
the Alter Schlachthof for their performances.
University of Music
"Carl Maria von Weber", Wettiner Platz 13. Dresden has a renowned music
academy, numerous top musicians have studied here. Several times a week
there are public auditions for advanced students and concerts by
university orchestras (orchestra, choir), so you can listen to
high-quality classical (or new) music here for free or for a small fee.
See the event calendar on the website or notices in the display case at
the main entrance.
Concerts also take place on the theater stages
mentioned above, e.g. B. Small House of the State Theater, Theaterkahn
and Boulevardtheater Dresden.
Movie theater
Dresden is now
known for its extensive cinema scene, which is characterized above all
by a large number of larger and smaller arthouse cinemas. Information
about the film nights on the banks of the Elbe can be found above.
There are four major cinemas:
17 Ufa-Crystal Palace, St.
Petersburger Strasse 24a (Straba "Walpurgisstrasse."). The Crystal
Palace was one of the most controversial new buildings in the city
center when it opened in 1998. The architecture of bare concrete and
sloping glass surfaces continues to fascinate visitors today. The cinema
itself is a rather normal multiplex house. Due to the proximity to the
university, films are often shown in their original version.
18
Cineplex in the Rundkino, Prager Straße 6 (next to the UfA
Kristallpalast) . The striking cylindrical building from 1972 houses the
largest cinema screen in Saxony and offers a wide range of programmes.
19 Cinemaxx, Schiller Gallery, Hüblerstrasse 8 (at Schillerplatz).
Offers normal cinema fun without any special features. It is only about
three minutes from the Blue Wonder.
20 UCI-Kinowelt, Elbepark,
Lommatzscher Straße 82. Classic multiplex cinema in a shopping center on
the western outskirts of the city, showing current blockbusters.
In addition to the large cinemas, there are also a number of very
successful program cinemas:
21 Schauburg, Koenigsbruecker Strasse 55,
01099 Dresden. The Schauburg in the Neustadt is one of the oldest
cinemas in the city and also one of the most famous. In order to be able
to assert oneself against the modern palaces, current films and less
well-known films can be found here in the program. Something very
special is the Sunday brunch, which offers a rich breakfast followed by
a film for €9.90.
22 Programmkino Ost, Schandauer Straße 73 (corner
Altenberger Straße; Straba 4, 10, Bus 65, 85, 87 "Altenberger Straße").
Located in the east of Dresden and shows current films from the classic
art house program. It has a large hall and regularly hosts film art
series and weeks such as the French Film Days or Cinema Italia. There is
also a morning Styx cinema at the weekend and a monthly pacifier cinema
for parents with babies.
23 Cinema in the roof, Schandauer Straße 64
(Straba 4, 10 "Gottleubaer Str."). Also located in the east of Dresden,
under the roof of the Pentacon cultural center. Programmatic cinema is
also shown here.
24 Thalia, Görlitzer Strasse 6 (Straba 13 "Görlitzer
Strasse/Nordbad"). Small cinema with one hall in the middle of the
trendy Neustadt district, on the site of the former Thalia cinema, which
is no longer preserved, shows film art and re-enacts comparatively
current art house films.
25 Casablanca, Friedensstrasse 23 (Straba 13
"Friedensstrasse."). Small, cozy Nachspielkino, shows film art, often
with committed political claims.
26 Kino im Kasten,
August-Bebel-Straße 20 (Bus 66 "Weberplatz" or Straba 9, 10, 13
"Wasaplatz"). The program cinema of the TU Dresden and accordingly also
offers special films. The program changes frequently, so a visit to the
website is always worthwhile.
27 KiF – Cinema in the factory,
Tharandter Straße 33 (Bus 63 "Clara-Viebig-Str."). The only cinema in
the west of Dresden in a former factory, on the site of the Theater in
der Fabrik (TIF) that previously played there.
In addition to the
classic cinema operations, there are a large number of open-air venues,
especially in summer. The best-known and by far the largest are the film
nights on the banks of the Elbe. They take place every year between June
and August on the northern bank of the Elbe between Carolabrücke and
Augustusbrücke, directly opposite the historic old town. The open-air
cinema holds around 5000 guests. During the film nights on the banks of
the Elbe, current and older films can be seen throughout the summer. In
addition, bands such as 'Die Ärzte', REM or Alanis Morissette appear on
stage. Tickets are available in advance on the website or at the box
office. For concerts, however, you should book in good time.
Sports and exercise
28 Georg-Arnhold-Bad, Helmut-Schön-Allee 2
(between Hygiene Museum, Great Garden and Dynamo Stadium; Straba 10, 13
"Georg-Arnhold-Bad") . Public indoor pool with 25 meter lanes, adventure
pool, whirlpool, paddling pool and 93 meter long tube slide. This also
includes a year-round usable, solar-heated outdoor pool with flow
channel and sunbathing area. A large sauna area is also connected to the
bath.
Sports to watch
29 SG Dynamo Dresden, DDV Stadium,
Lennéstraße 12 (between Bürgerwiese and Großer Garten/Zoo; Straba 10, 13
"Georg-Arnhold-Bad" or 9, 11 "Lennéplatz"). One of the most traditional
and successful football clubs in the new federal states, since 2016 in
the 2nd Bundesliga. Known for a special stadium atmosphere, but also a
strong ultra scene with occasional violations of the pyrotechnics ban
and violent incidents. Incidentally, fans still call the 32,000-seat DDV
stadium by its old name: Rudolf-Harbig- or Dynamo-Stadion. The stadium
also houses the Dresden Football Museum.
30 Dresdner SC, Margon
Arena, Bodenbacher Strasse 154 (Straba 1, 2 "Prof.-Ricker-Strasse"). The
women's volleyball team plays in the 1st Bundesliga and has already
taken part in several seasons in the European Cup.
31 Dresden Ice
Lions, EnergieVerbund Arena, Magdeburger Str. 10 (in the Ostra sports
park; Straba 10 "Alberthafen"). Ice hockey team in the DEL2.
32 HC
Elbflorenz, Ballsport-Arena, Weißeritzstraße 4 (in the Ostra sports
park; Straba 6, 11 "Kongresszentrum" or 10 "Weißeritzstraße"). Email:
mail@elbflorenz2006.de. The handball club’s first men’s team has been
playing in the second handball Bundesliga since 2017.
33 Dresden
Monarchs, Heinz-Steyer-Stadion, Pieschener Allee 1a (in the Sportpark
Ostra; Bus 75 "Heinz-Steyer-Stadion" or Straba 6, 11 "Kongresszentrum")
. One of the oldest and most successful football teams in the new
federal states plays in the German Football League.
Saxon
steamship
Dresden is home to the oldest and largest fleet of
steamships in the world. Day tourists in particular like to take
advantage of the two-hour round trip through the Dresden Elbe Valley.
The tour starts right in the city center at the Brühlsche Terrasse. In
addition, there is also a regular line service that runs from Dresden to
Meissen down the Elbe, or up the Elbe to Bohemia. For more information,
see the Mobility and Dresden Elbe Valley sections.
On May 1st the
annual fleet parade with historic paddle steamers and saloon ships is
held. There is another parade tour, with jazz bands on board, to the
Dixieland Festival, with historic steamboats through the Blue Wonder.
More details and further dates at www.saechsische-dampfschiffahrt.de.
Regular events
Yearly
Dresden Opera Ball (Semperopernball)
late January or early February – tickets cost from 325 euros and up. But
you can also dance outside on the Theaterplatz, where the show is
broadcast on screens (Semper Open Air Ball).
The steam locomotive
meeting, on the second weekend in April, at the railway museum and depot
around the BW Dresden-Altstadt.
The International Dixieland Festival
around the second weekend in May has been taking place since 1971 and is
considered Europe's largest jazz festival.
Dresden Music Festival
Mid-May to early June: Festival for classical music with prominent guest
artists from all over the world.
The Bunte Republik Neustadt (BRN),
on the third weekend in June, is a neighborhood, art and culture
festival in the Outer Neustadt.
The Elbhangfest, on the fourth
weekend in June, is a citizen, homeland, art and culture festival of the
five former Elbe hillside and wine villages on the right bank of the
Elbe; Pillnitz, Niederpoyritz, Wachwitz, Rockau and Loschwitz, along the
slope of the Elbe, which transforms the landscape between Loschwitz and
Pillnitz into one large festival area.
The Long Night of Science, on
the first weekend in July. Here you can look into laboratories and
lectures at countless events, ask questions from experts and witness
experiments and explore new aspects of science and research.
The
Castles Night, on the third weekend of July, when the beautiful parks
open for one night; from Albrechtsberg Castle, Lingner Castle, Eckberg
Castle and the Saloppe. And invite you to stroll and enjoy along the
romantically illuminated walkways. In addition to musical events with
jazz, rock pop, tango and swing and classic, numerous artists and actors
also perform and thus offer an ensemble of art and culture for many
tastes.
The film nights on the banks of the Elbe, from June to
August, on the Elbwiese opposite the Brühlsche Terrasse are the largest
open-air cinema event in Germany and certainly the most beautiful
open-air cinema in the world. There, films are shown on a large screen
(up to 4000 seats) and concerts by international artists take place.
The Dresden City Festival, on the third weekend in August, on 13 areas
and 7 stages in the city center.
The Dresden Striezelmarkt, at the
end of November, after Totensonntag, the oldest Christmas market in
Germany on the Altmarkt in the middle of the city.
A quieter
alternative is the Romantic Christmas Market. This is located south of
the Dresden Residential Palace on the so-called Piazza at the corner of
the Taschenbergpalais.
The medieval Christmas market in the historic
stable courtyard at Dresden's Residenzschloss, on the back of the
Fürstenzug, is a special tip at Christmas time; as many Dresdeners
prefer it to the commercial Striezelmarkt due to the more Christmassy
atmosphere. Admission is free on weekdays and €3 per person on weekends.
More events can be found on the city's calendar of events.
Biennially
The Ostrale is a large show of contemporary art that
started in 2007 and has been taking place every two years since 2017. It
is recognized throughout Germany and internationally and was developed
from the independent scene.
As in every larger city, there are numerous ways to spend money in
Dresden. The largest shopping street is in the city center and stretches
from the main train station via 1 Prager Straße to Altmarkt-Galerie
directly behind the Altmarkt. Here you will find – in the architectural
flair of a “socialist” city center of the 1970s – alongside Karstadt,
C&A, Sport-Scheck, Saturn, H&M and the other usual suspects. Exclusive
shops of expensive brands are located around the Frauenkirche.
The Elbepark is located right next to the Neustadt motorway exit, where
you can find the usual shops (Höffner, MediaMarkt, etc.) as well as an
IKEA branch.
Altmarkt Gallery, Webergasse 1, 01067 Dresden. Open:
Mon – Thurs 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Fri + Sat 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
A
special tip is the Äußere Neustadt north of the baroque city centre. The
area can be reached by public transport by getting off at the
Albertplatz stop and strolling up Alaunstrasse. The alternative-leaning
neighborhood has a hip mix of punks, students, young families and
yuppies (although graffiti messages tell the latter to leave). The
clothing stores, some of which are very small, are a mixture of the very
latest trends and the very latest stuff from the day before yesterday,
just a little different.
Markets
Friday market on
Lingnerallee: The legendary "Saxony market" between Lennestrasse and the
Hygiene Museum makes the hearts of the older generation beat faster.
Many products from the old days can only be found here. In addition to
groceries from the Dresden area, you can also buy everyday goods here.
The best way to reach us is by taking tram lines 10 and 13 to the
Georg-Arnhold-Bad stop.
Every Saturday morning, at the foot of the
Blue Wonder, the market takes place at 5 Schillerplatz, which many
citizens prefer to the Lingnermarkt. Although it is very small, (almost)
all the goods here come fresh from the region and are of very good
quality! If you didn't get something, you can go straight to the health
food store (Vorwerk Podemus) or the large supermarket around the corner.
It can be reached by tram and bus lines 6, 12, 61, 63, 65, 84 and the
regional bus 309 to the Schillerplatz or Blasewitz stop (the bus stop is
the same).
Elbe flea market at the Albert Bridge: Every Saturday a
well-attended flea market takes place under the Albert Bridge on the
banks of the Elbe. The easiest way to get there is to take tram lines 6
and 13 to Sachsenallee, or alternatively you can walk upstream from the
palace for about 15 minutes along the Elbe. Incidentally, the district
court of Dresden is also located at the train station.
Dresden is particularly famous for its Dresdner Stollen (Christmas
pastry made from yeast dough with raisins, butter and almonds), which is
delivered all over the world at Christmas time and sparks new
discussions every year as to which bakery bakes the best Stollen. Hardly
any pastry combines more tradition than the more than 500-year history
of the Dresdner Stollen.
Another specialty is the Dresdner
Eierschecke, a three-tiered cake with a thin base of yeast dough, a
quark pudding layer in the middle, and a wide layer of fluffy egg yolk
cream on top.
The Dresdner Wiegebraten is prepared with gewiege,
a mixture of minced pork and beef, white bread, eggs and spices. The
roast is usually served with boiled or fried potatoes and gravy, often
with vegetables as well. There is a restaurant called "Zum Wiegebraten"
where you can try it.
You can go out and eat cheaply in the
youthful scene district in the area of Alaunstraße in Dresden-Neustadt.
In the area of the old town you will find many restaurants with a
slightly higher price level in the Münzgasse not far from the
Frauenkirche. There are also various places to stop for refreshments in
the bar district between Neumarkt and Rathaus.
Cheap
As everywhere else, there is the usual range of quick and
cheap dishes. In the city center it is not a problem to find a bratwurst
or an Asian menu.
The best doner kebab in the city can be found
in Dresden Neustadt. At 1 Babos Dönerpoint on the corner of Alaunstraße
and Katharinenstraße, a full-fledged restaurant, every guest is greeted
in a friendly manner and you pay around €3.50 to €4.50 for a really good
doner kebab or Dürüm.
The 2 Ararat, which is also located on
Alaunstraße (opposite the Babos), is also recommended.
If you want to
try something new, we highly recommend a vegetarian Kumpir (delicious
stuffed potatoes) at 3 Keké, Louisenstrasse 21 (€4.60).
4 Asian
specialties – Li Linh, Friedrichstadt, Wachsbleichstraße 27. Those who
prefer Asian food are in good hands here. We especially recommend the
buffet, which is offered on Thursday and Sunday evenings. For €6.90 you
can eat as much as you want. Last modified: May 2008 (information may be
outdated)
5 The pasta factory, An der Dreikönigskirche 3, 01097
Dresden. Tel.: +49 351 3237799, fax: +49 351 3237798, e-mail:
info@diepastamanufaktur.de. Pasta is made fresh here every day and the
inexpensive dishes on offer are constantly changing. It's always busy
here! Open: Mon.-Sat. 10:00-22:00.
6 Hot Shüzzle (Thai Restaurant
Dresden Hot Shüzzle), Rothenburger Straße 9. A Thai food restaurant that
offers classic Thai street food dishes. Prepared by a Thai who has since
ended up in Dresden. Feature: Thai cuisine.
7 Canteen No.2 . probably
offers the best burgers in the heart of Neustadt. Grab a burger and
watch the hustle and bustle around the corner.
8 pizza room. Pizza in
a cozy atmosphere. Probably the best pizza in town. Feature: pizza.
9
Bistro Buongiorno Eiscafe, Reisewitzer Str. 80, 01159 Dresden. Tel:
+4935142422761, email: buongiornobistro@icloud.com. The Buongiorno has
very tasty homemade ice cream and very tasty pizzas. Open: Tue-Sun
10:30-22:00.
Middle
In the middle price range, the number of
restaurants is hardly manageable. Particularly interesting for tourists
are:
10 Sophienkeller in Taschenbergpalais, Taschenberg 3 (directly
opposite the Zwinger). The vaulted restaurant was completely renovated
after the heavy flood in 2002 and now presents itself in new splendour.
Here you can feast on hearty cuisine in the style of Augustus the
Strong, who liked to mingle with the people. Connoisseurs ask for a
price after drinking the funnel: you pay around €12-20 for a main
course.
11 Pulverturm, An der Frauenkirche 12 (from the Frauenkirche
turn right towards Bärenzwinger (50 m)). With a similar concept and the
same operating company, the Pulverturm is also a crowd puller. Price: A
main course costs around €12-15.
In the vicinity of the Kreuzkirche
and the town hall is the Weiße Gasse with the goose thief fountain.
There are a number of restaurants and beer gardens in a row here. The
first one is called – how could it be otherwise – goose thief.
12
Gänsedieb, Weiße Gasse 1, 01067 Dresden (at the Kreuzkirche). Phone: +49
(0)351 4850905.
A special feature is the former Yenidze cigarette
factory, which was built in the style of a mosque at the beginning of
the 20th century. In its dome is a restaurant:
13 Yenidze (cupola
restaurant in the Yenidze), Weisseritzstraße 3, 01067 Dresden. Tel.: +49
(0)351 4905990, e-mail: info@kupplung.de. The restaurant has a beer
garden on the roof terrace with a wonderful view of the baroque old
town. The building is near the congress center and the Marienbrücke, the
restaurant is accessible via a lift from the back of the building. Open:
Open daily from 11:00 a.m.
14 Waldschlösschen, Am Brauhaus 8b, 01099
Dresden (take line 11 from Postplatz in the center of Dresden to the
Waldschlösschen stop. Located just outside the brewery, the brewery
offers beer and good food. We recommend Mondays when you can enjoy a
roasted knuckle of pork, sauerkraut and dumplings and half a liter of
homebrew for €7.77 Table reservations are essential, however.
15 Cafe
& Restaurant Saite, Seitenstr. 4b. Organic restaurant in the
Hechtviertel. Open: Mon-Fri 6pm-midnight, Sun 10am-3pm, Sat closed.
16 Sankt Pauli day bar and restaurant, Tannenstr. 56 (Koenigsbruecker
Square). Tel.: +49 (0)351 8027001. Open: daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.,
Sat from 11 a.m., Sun from 10 a.m. Price: main courses €9.80–16.80.
17 To the Wiegebraten, Rothenburger Str. 37 01099 Dresden. Phone: +49
351 81084869 . Traditional Saxon cuisine, such as Dresden Wiegebraten.
Open: daily 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Upscale
18 bean&beluga,
Bautzner Landstraße 32 (white deer). Chef Stefan Hermann's gourmet
restaurant; a Michelin star.
19 Caroussel, Bülow Palais, Königstraße
14. Noble French gourmet restaurant; Star chef Dirk Schröer, with 1
Michelin star since 2006, 18 points in Gault Millau.
20 Grand Café &
Restaurant Coselpalais (An der Frauenkirche 12).
21 Restaurant
Intermezzo, Hotel Kempinski in Taschenbergpalais, Taschenberg 3. The
best hotel in town also runs the most expensive and possibly the best
restaurant in town. However, it is only mentioned in the Michelin guide
in connection with the hotel listed in the Michelin hotel guide, and it
has not yet received a Michelin star.
22 e-Vitrum (Restaurant in the
Transparent Factory), Lennéstraße 1. If you want, you can eat in a car
factory. Gourmet cuisine by Mario Pattis.
Bars and pubs
There is a large variety of pubs and bars in the
Dresdner Neustadt. The offer ranges from real discotheques with themed
areas to backyard bars. Sometimes a little courage is also required
because not everything looks chic from the outside. Especially along the
Alaunstrasse, Görlitzer Strasse and Louisenstrasse, one bar and pub
follows the next. Here you can just let yourself drift and spontaneously
decide where to go. A list of individual bars and pubs can be found in
the Neustadt district article. Especially in the summer months,
nightlife also takes place on the streets, supplied by "lates" who sell
drinks at least until midnight, but sometimes also until 1 or even 2
a.m.
Individual pubs can also be found outside of the district
just described:
Altes Wettbüro, Antonstraße 8. Tel.: +49 351 6588983.
Restaurant, pub, club.
Leonardo, Rudolf-Leonhard-Str. 24. Open: daily
6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Oosteinde, Prießnitzstr. 18. Open: daily from 5 p.m.
to midnight.
Rosi's Amusement Bar, Eschenstr. 11. Tel.: +49 (0)351
8049814. The former flower power remains true to its musical roots. Here
the name says it all and so people cuddle in flokati and listen to The
Doors.
Watzkes Ball- und Brauhaus, Kötzschenbroder Str. 1 (corner of
Leipziger Str.; Straba 4, 9, 13 "Altpieschen"). Tel.: +49 (0)351 852920,
fax: +49 (0)351 8529222. The historic and superbly restored ball and
brewery is located in the district of Pieschen. Own beer and great theme
evenings such as B. Ball events with music from the 1920s and 30s. Open:
daily 11 a.m. to midnight.
Disco/clubs
My House, Erfurter
Strasse 12.
Student clubs
The Dresden student clubs occupy a
special position among the pubs, some of which can already look back on
a considerable tradition. Most clubs are registered associations. The
range of drinks and cocktails is correspondingly inexpensive and often
of surprisingly good quality. The clubs are all located on the old town
side of the Elbe - most are concentrated near the university and halls
of residence in the southern suburbs.
Bärenzwinger, Brühlscher
Garten 1. One of the oldest and most culturally active student clubs in
the city. Concerts and theater performances are also regularly held in
the vaults of the fortress wall.
Club Aquarium, St. Petersburger
Straße 21. The aquarium, which was also 100% underwater during the 2002
flood, does not get its name from this event, but from the fact that it
used to be inhabited mainly by water management students was. Especially
recommended is the enormously extensive and inexpensive cocktail menu.
Open: Beer garden: Mon - Fri 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., club: Mon - Fri 9 p.m. -
1 a.m.
Count Down, Güntzstraße 22. Dormitory club in the basement of
a student dormitory. The aim of the association is to promote culture in
Johannstadt. There are no regular evening events, but it is all the more
worth taking a look at the association's website, where all events are
announced.
Gutzkowclub, Gutzkowstrasse 29-33. The oldest of Dresden's
student clubs is located in the Gutzkowstraße 29-33 student residence.
Open: Mon - Thurs from 8 p.m.
Novitatis, Fritz-Löffler-Straße 12. In
the basement of the student residence at the main train station. Live
concerts with several bands are regularly held – mainly from the rock,
punk and metal genres. Open: In the semester always Wed + on the first
Monday of the month from 8 p.m. bar service.
A “bed tax” has been in force in Dresden since July 2015. Hotels must
collect what is actually called the lodging tax payment to the city from
their guests. This is often done in cash. Booking portals often show the
prices without such local surcharges, so they usually come on top.
Excluded from the obligation to pay are, for example, children or
overnight stays due to a business trip. The lodging tax depends on the
cost of the single night's lodging (including VAT). The lodging tax is
six percent of the overnight price, rounded down to full euro cents.
Please note that the calculation is based on the stay and not per night.
(as of Nov. 2020)
If accommodation in Dresden is expensive or
fully booked due to high season or special events, one can also consider
a hotel or guesthouse in the suburban communities such as Freital,
Heidenau or Radebeul. From here you can take the S-Bahn to the center of
Dresden in 15-20 minutes.
In the following sections there can only be
a small, exemplary selection of accommodation. Further hotels, hostels
and holiday apartments are listed in the four district articles. Most
ho(s)tels can be found in the tourist areas of Altstadt (rather large
and expensive hotels) and Neustadt (rather small and unconventional
accommodation). But there is also accommodation in the residential areas
in the east and south of the city, these are often a bit cheaper; In
addition, you can get to know Dresden off the beaten tourist track and
still get to the main sights comfortably by bike or public transport.
Cheap
There are several youth hostels in Dresden that are
particularly suitable for those on a tight budget. Here you can stay
from around €15 per night and person in a shared room, double rooms are
available from around €40. Most hostels are located in the
student-oriented outer Neustadt (where there are also many places to eat
and go out) and on the outskirts of the old town.
There are also
fully furnished holiday apartments where you can spend the night
inexpensively.
1 City hostel, Lingnerallee 3, 01069 Dresden.
Phone: +49 (0)351 4859900, email: info@cityherberge.de. Located directly
in the old town between the town hall and the large garden in an old
office complex.
2 Lolli's Homestay, Görlitzer Str. 34, 01099 Dresden.
Phone: +49 (0)351 8108458, fax: +49 (0)351 6465250, email:
lolli@lollishome.de. Price: Single room from €30, double room from €42.
3 Louise 20, Louisenstr. 20, 01099 Dresden. Tel.: +49 (0)351 8894894,
fax: +49 (0)351 8894893. Price: double room: €19.50 - €21.50 per person,
breakfast: €5, bed linen: €2.50 once (in 05-2008).
4 Guesthouse
Mezcalero, Koenigsbrücker Strasse 64, 01099 Dresden. Tel: +49 (0)351
810770. The hostel is decorated in a Mexican style. Price: SR approx.
50€.
5 Hostel Mondpalast (Moon Palace Hostel Dresden), Louisenstrasse
77, 01099 Dresden. Tel.: +493515634050, Fax: +493515634055, Email:
info@mondpalast.de facebookinstagram. Located right in the heart of
Dresden's trendy district, Hostel Mondpalast in Dresden has not only the
room or bed for your needs, but also an international bar to meet your
old and new friends, luscious breakfast, bicycle rental, maps and local
advice. Feature: Garni. Open: 24h. Check-in: from 2 p.m. Check-out:
until 11:00 a.m. Price: from €14. Accepted payment methods: cash,
Master, Visa, Amex, PayPal.
Middle
The range of hotels and
guesthouses is typically rich for a big city. Real peak times, such as
those seen in Frankfurt am Main at the IAA, are rare.
6 Hotel Am
Terrassenufer Dresden, Terrassenufer 12, 01069 Dresden. Tel.: +49 (0)351
4409 - 500. Located directly on the Elbe and the historic old town, just
a few minutes' walk from the Semperoper, the Zwinger, the Frauenkirche
and the Brühlsche Terrasse. Great views of the city from the upper
floors.
7 Rothenburger Hof Dresden, Rothenburger-Str. 15-17, 01099
Dresden (Neustadt). Phone: +49 (0)351 81260, fax: +49 (0)351 8126 222,
email: info@rothenburger-hof.de. Check-in: 3:00 p.m. Check-out: 12:00
p.m. Price: SR 75 to 125 euros; double room 99 to 160 euros; Apartment /
suite from 170 euros per night; apartment monthly from 1500 euros
inclusive price. Accepted payment methods: Visa, Master.
8 Ringhotel
Residenz Alt Dresden, Mobschatzer Str. 29, 01157 Dresden. Phone: +49
(0)351 42810, fax: +49 351-4281-988, e-mail: dresden@ringhotels.de. The
privately run Ringhotel Residenz Alt Dresden awaits you just a 10-minute
drive from the historic center with the Residenzschloss, Frauenkirche,
Semperoper and Zwinger. WiFi in all rooms and free parking.
9 Hotel
Smetana, Schlueterstrasse 25, 01277 Dresden (Striesen). Phone: +49
(0)351 25608 0, fax: +49 (0)351 25608 88, e-mail: info@hotel-smetana.de.
Four-star hotel in the middle-class district of Striesen, approx. 4 km
east of the old town (20 minutes by tram or bicycle). Parking, WiFi and
packed lunches free of charge. Price: Double room from €70 including
breakfast.
10 Bergwirtschaft Wilder Mann Hotel and Restaurant,
Grossenhainer Str. 243, 01129 Dresden. Tel.: +49 351 2054540, fax: +49
351 20545415, e-mail: info@bergwirtschaft-wildermann.de,
rezeption@bergwirtschaft-wildermann.de. Not far from the A4 and A13
motorways and the airport in the north of Dresden. Open: the associated
restaurant: Mon – Thurs 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fri + Sat 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.,
Sun 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. Price: Single room from €52.00, double room from
€62.00 (plus €9.80/person for breakfast!).
Upscale
A large
number of upscale and luxurious hotels are located in the inner old
town, around the Fruenkirche, the castle and the Zwinger, as well as on
the opposite side of the Elbe in the baroque quarter of the inner new
town. There are also castle hotels on the Elbe castles of Eckberg and
Pillnitz.
11 Hotel Bülow Palais, Koenigstrasse 14, 01097 Dresden.
Phone: +49 (0)351 80030, fax: +49 (0)351 8003100, email:
info.palais@buelow-hotels.de . The luxurious 5-star "Relais & Châteaux"
is located in the immediate vicinity of the Dreikönigskirche in the
baroque district of Königstraße (Innere Neustadt). The Caroussel
restaurant, which has been awarded a Michelin star, is located on site.
A few steps away there is a slightly smaller sister hotel with four
stars, the "Romantic Hotel" Bülow Palais (in a manor house from the 18th
century, double room from €109). Price: double room from €135 (early
bird €115).
12 Hyperion Hotel Dresden am Schloss, Schloßstrasse 16.
Tel.: +49 (0)351-501200. Five-star hotel directly at the residential
palace. Price: double room from €113 (early bird from €96).
13
Schloss Eckberg, Bautzner Strasse 134. Tel.: +49 (0)351-8099-0. Castle
hotel in the east of the three Elbe castles. Fantastic view over the
Elbe valley. 600m from the nearest tram stop, 2km from the Weißer Hirsch
residential area and the funicular, 4km from the new town, 6km from the
old town.
14 Hotel Suitess, An der Frauenkirche 13. Tel.: +49
(0)351-41727-0. Small five-star hotel (21 rooms, 4 apartments) in a
house with a baroque façade directly opposite the Frauenkirche. Price:
double room from 111€.
15 Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski,
Taschenberg 3 (directly opposite the Zwinger and Residenzschloss).
Phone: +49 (0)351-4912-0. The “first house on the square” in the baroque
Taschenbergpalais, rebuilt in 1995, which August the Strong had built
for his beloved Countess Cosel. State guests and A-list celebrities stay
here when they visit Dresden. The legendary Bilderberg Conference also
met here. Feature: ★★★★★. Price: double room from €149 (early bird from
€119).
Apartments
16 Dresden365, Johann-Meyer-Strasse 13,
01097 Dresden. Phone: +49 (0)176 47749588, email: Ronny@Dresden365.de.
Check in: 17:00. Check out: 11:00 am. Price: from €50. Accepted payment
methods: Paypal, Bitcoin, cash, bank transfer.
17 Pillnitz Castle
holiday apartment, Meixstrasse 5, 01326 Dresden. Phone: +49 (0)351
2610280, fax: +49 (0)351 2610270, e-mail: fewo@meixgrund.de. just a few
steps away from Pillnitz Castle and the Elbe. Price: from €40.
18
Apartment Töpfer, Bannewitzer Strasse 27, 01217 Dresden. Tel.: +49
(0)351 2730990, fax: +49 (0)351 4723812, e-mail:
kontakt@fewo-toepfer.de. situated in the quiet and green Kaitz, in the
south of the city. Price: First person 40€ and each additional person
10€ extra.
19 dresden-central guest apartments in the baroque
district of Dresden, Rähnitzgasse 7, 01097 Dresden. Tel.: +49 (0)351
3209460, fax: +49 (0)351 3209461, e-mail: info@dresden-central.de.
2-room apartments in the city center, family-friendly for self-catering
including Wi-Fi, washing machine and bicycles. Price: Two people from
€71 per night and each additional person €10-19 extra.
20 Trachau
waterworks, Aachener Strasse 31, 01129 Dresden. Phone: +49 (0)351
8475445, fax: +49 (0)32121 407984, e-mail: info@wasserwerk-trachau.de.
Located in the historic Trachau waterworks in the district of the same
name in Dresden. Sleeping area, kitchenette and bathroom with
shower/toilet, 37 square meters, suitable for up to 3 adults or a family
with 2 children. Price: €45 for one person, €55 for two people, extra
bed: €10 for an adult, €5 for a child. Children under 5 years are free.
21 dresden-ferienwohnungen.net, Rähnitzgasse 7, 01097 Dresden. Tel.: +49
(0)351 32308390, email: info@dresden-ferienwohnungen.net. currently with
a selection of around 50 holiday apartments and rooms in Dresden city
center, the accommodations are 1-3 room holiday apartments for 1 - 6
people, equipped with kitchen, bathroom, terrace or balcony, Wi-Fi, TV
and some with bicycles and car Parking space. Price: Depending on the
size and equipment of the apartment for 2 people €49-89 per night, each
additional person depending on age between €0-19 per night.
22 Villa
Anna, Bautzner Straße 74, 01099 Dresden (Straba 11
"Diakonissenkrankenhaus" or Elbe ferry Neustadt/Johannstadt). Phone: +49
(0)351-8108158, email: info@villa-anna-dresden.de. Two apartments for 2
people each in a listed villa from the 19th century, right on the banks
of the Elbe and the Elbe cycle path. Right on the Elbe ferry, 500m from
Pfunds Dairy, 800m from Outer Neustadt (bar area). Upscale furnishings,
bathroom with shower and tub, fully equipped kitchenette, dishwasher;
view of the garden or the Elbe; WLAN incl. Minimum rental period 2
nights. Price: 2-3 nights from €89 per night and apartment, from 4
nights €79.
23 Apartment Dresden - Maik L. Borchers (Apartment Alte
Kelterei), Lockwitzgrund 1, 01257 Dresden. Tel.: +4935184190137, email:
info@maik-borchers.de facebooktwitter. Two quiet and modern apartments
with space for up to 8 people in Dresden Lockwitz with a balcony, free
parking and WiFi. Open: Mon - Sun 08:00 - 20:00. Check-in: 3:30 p.m. to
9:30 p.m. Check-out: until 10:00 a.m. Price: from EUR 60.00. Accepted
payment methods: cash, bank transfer.
The Volkshochschule Dresden offers an extensive course program twice
a year.
Studying at the TU Dresden is possible in many branches
of science. The Dresden University of Applied Sciences (FH) offers
further study opportunities. A special feature is the Gret Palucca
School of Dance Dresden, named after the famous Dresden freelance
dancer.
Libraries
Saxon State and University Library (take the
61 bus to the State and University Library stop). The new building of
the library is not only, but also something for architecture fans. The
underground, central reading room is the heart of the building. The book
museum is a permanent exhibition Mon.-Sat. Open 09:00-16:00. Guided
tours take place on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:00 p.m.
Both entry and guided tours are free.
There is also a network of
municipal libraries. A youth library was located directly on
Dr.-Külz-Ring between Altmarkt and Prager Strasse and the main library
at the World Trade Center on Freiberger Strasse.
Today, Dresden is one of the leading cities in the east and need not fear comparison with many other cities in Germany. Thanks to massive subsidies and a clever location policy, high-tech companies such as AMD and Infineon, in particular, were able to settle here, expanding the historically well-developed variety of precision mechanics and optics companies.
In a national comparison, Dresden is one of the safest cities in
Germany and ranks third in the statistics for serious crimes.
Nevertheless, you should pay attention to your valuables, especially in
large crowds in tourist areas, and avoid dark corners, especially at
night. But you really don't need to worry.
However, the generally
good security situation is somewhat limited during the various political
demonstrations and counter-demonstrations, of which the Nazi march on
February 13 (or partly in the days before or after) and the "Monday
walks" of Pegida should be mentioned here. Although security is mostly
guaranteed here thanks to a high police presence, violence and arrests
as well as considerable restrictions on tram, bus and car traffic have
occurred and continue to occur on the fringes of the demonstrations.
Dynamo Dresden has a certain reputation for incidents at football
matches, so the high police presence in full gear during match days
should not come as a surprise. In general, however, serious incidents
rarely occur here.
Dresden Police Headquarters, Schiessgasse 7,
01067 Dresden. Phone: +49 (0)351 4830.
Police station Dresden-Süd,
Niedersedlitzer Str. 19, 01239 Dresden. Phone: +49 (0)351 28660.
Dresden West Police Station, Julius-Vahlteich-Strasse 2, 01159 Dresden.
Phone: +49 (0)351 414080.
Police station Dresden-Nord,
Stauffenbergallee 18, 01099 Dresden. Phone: +49 (0)351 65244101.
Police station Dresden-Leuben (east), Zamenhofstraße 1, 01257 Dresden.
Phone: +49 (0)351 207210.
There are hardly any problems with smog in Dresden and the many trees in the city ensure that the air is bearable. Nothing is known about an accumulation of certain diseases in the urban area. If you do get sick, there is a high density of doctors and even more pharmacies.
Dresden Tourist Office (Dresden Information GmbH), Neumarkt 2,
Dresden, DE 01067 (at the Frauenkirche). Tel.: +49 (0)351 501501, fax:
+49 (0)351 501509, e-mail: info@dresdeninformation.de. Open: Mon.-Fri.
10:00-19:00, Sat. 10:00-18:00, Sun./holidays 10:00-15:00 (reduced
opening hours from January to March).
Dresden Tourist Office (Dresden
Information GmbH), Wiener Platz 4, Dresden, DE 01069 (inside the main
train station). Tel.: +49 (0)351 501501, fax: +49 (0)351 501509, e-mail:
info@dresdeninformation.de. Open: Daily 09:00-19:00.
Press
There are two daily newspapers in Dresden: the Dresdner Latest News and
the Sächsische Zeitung, which has a larger circulation. Several monthly
city magazines contain dates for events in and around Dresden. Of these,
SAX is the only one that is not free. Fritz and Dresdner, Blitz and
Prinz are available free of charge, with the last two appearing
throughout Germany with regional editions.
Language
Contrary
to popular belief, there is no Saxon that sounds the same from Plauen to
Görlitz. In fact, neither in Plauen nor in Görlitz is spoken in Saxon
dialect, because both belong to different dialect areas, but that's
another story.
Tourists from outside may be surprised when they hear
a Dresdener complain about the "fearful dialect in Leipzsch". And indeed
there are enormous regional differences, at least for the people of
Dresden. A really broad Saxon is actually not spoken in Dresden,
especially when you compare it with the variants in Chemnitz and
Leipzig.
The dialect generally has no hard consonants, so K sounds
like G, T like D. In contrast to Bavarian, Swabian or various Platt
dialects, the special vocabulary is rather small, which hardly leaves
any room for communication difficulties (once you get used to the
pronunciation has). However, one should not be confused if a Dresdener
answers a question with Nu or No (each with a short 'u' or 'o'), which
can also be used as a question to make sure at the end of a statement
(like the "ne?" or "gell?" in other dialects). Ni, on the other hand,
means 'not'. If you want to be on the safe side, you can also look up
the peculiarities in a Saxon-German dictionary.
Location and area
The city lies on both sides of the Elbe in large
parts in the Dresden Elbe valley, embedded between the foothills of the
Eastern Ore Mountains, the steep slope of the Lusatian granite slab and
the Elbe Sandstone Mountains at the transition from the Northeast German
lowlands to the eastern low mountain ranges in southern East Germany.
The northern and north-eastern urban area therefore belongs to the
western Lusatian hills and mountains (Dresdner Heide and Schönfelder
Hochland). In the south, the valley exits of the Erzgebirge drains and
high altitudes mark the transition to the eastern Erzgebirge foothills
(restrictedly referred to as the Dresden Erzgebirge foothills and the
Meissen highlands). The Dresden Elbe valley widening is a subdivision of
the Saxon Elbland. The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation assigned
Dresden in its entirety to the “D19 Saxon hill country and foothills of
the Erzgebirge”.
As a height reference for Dresden, the Altmarkt
is considered the central square of the city with a height of 113 m
above sea level. NN, the zero point of the Elbe level is at 102.73 m.
The highest elevation in the city area is the 383 m high Triebenberg on
the right bank of the Elbe, the lowest point is on the Elbe bank in
Niederwartha at 101 m.
After partly large-scale incorporations,
the city is the fourth largest city in Germany in terms of area after
Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne and ahead of Bremen and Munich and is ranked
14th in the list of the largest municipalities in Germany. The length of
the city limits is 139.65 km. The urban area stretches 22.6 km
north-south and 27.1 km east-west.
In addition to the navigable
Elbe (length in the city area: 30 km), the two tributaries Lockwitzbach
and Weisseritz on the left, which have their source in the Eastern Ore
Mountains, and the Prießnitz, which flows in on the right, flow through
the city area. In addition, smaller rivers flow in the city area, such
as the Kaitzbach, the Landgraben and the Lausenbach.
After large-scale incorporations with 63% green and forest areas,
Dresden is one of the major cities in Europe with the highest proportion
of vegetation area, of which the Dresdner Heide forms the largest closed
forest area with 5876 ha. Altogether there are 7341 hectares of forest
and 676 hectares of water in Dresden. In the urban area there are four
nature reserves with 265 ha and ten landscape protection areas with
12,340 ha, partly congruent with ten FFH areas with 1901 ha. Numerous
listed gardens, avenues and parks as well as cemeteries form 138 natural
monuments with 134 ha or 15 protected landscape components with 71 ha.
There are also three bird sanctuaries with 1612 ha in the city area.
See also: List of nature reserves in the city of Dresden
The
natural and cultural landscape of the Dresden Elbe Valley with the Elbe
meadows stretches almost 20 km through the city area, but is interrupted
in the city center. At a particularly wide point near the center, it is
cut through by the Waldschlößchen Bridge, which was built between 2007
and 2013, which is why UNESCO removed the Elbe Valley from its World
Heritage List in 2009 after years of controversy.
There are
around 54,000 street trees in Dresden.
Glacial deposits of Pleistocene age characterize most of the
near-surface rocks in the urban area of Dresden. Fluvial deposits
dominate in the Elbe valley, while mostly aeolian sediments in the form
of loess and loess loam occur on the southern slope of the valley. To
the south and south-west, these sediments are broken by upwellings of
the base and transition storeys. This is a diverse sequence of rocks of
different formations and different ages, e.g. B. Cretaceous plans,
Permian (red lying) sedimentary rocks and volcanic rocks as well as
Variscan intrusives. In the morphologically higher northern parts of the
city, Proterozoic granitoids are also found near the surface.
The
dominant tectonic element is the Lusatian Fault (also known as the
Lusatian Overthrust). It runs roughly parallel to the Elbe and
characterizes the landscape of Dresden in a typical way.
With its humid climate, Dresden lies in the cool-temperate climate
zone, but a transition to the continental climate can be felt. The
largest part of the inhabited urban area lies in the Elbe valley. A
milder microclimate prevails there than in the parts of the city on the
slopes and in the surrounding hills. The weather station at
Dresden-Klotzsche Airport is located on the northern outskirts of the
city above the Elbe basin. At their location at 227 m above sea level.
NN it is about 1-2 degrees colder than in the city center all year
round.
In the period from 1981 to 2010, the mean temperature in
Klotzsche was 0.1 °C in January and 19.0 °C in July. The monthly
temperatures in the city center are roughly similar to those in
south-west German cities. With an annual mean temperature in the city
center of 10.4 °C, Dresden is one of the warmest cities in Germany. The
location between the warm Lusatia and the cooler Ore Mountains is
particularly remarkable in summer. Temperature differences of up to 10
degrees can prevail between these two regions on individual days. In a
way, the city limits are at the same time an isotherm. The Erzgebirge
can have a warming effect on Saxony due to foehn weather conditions.
Dresden has an average of 1641 hours of sunshine a year.
With
an average of less than 40 mm of precipitation, February is the month
with the least precipitation in the long-term average from 1981 to 2010,
July has the most precipitation; in the western parts of the city
(station Dresden-Gohlis, 591 mm) about 10% less precipitation falls on
average than in the eastern parts of the city (station
Dresden-Hosterwitz, 670 mm). The highest amount of rain within 24 hours
fell on August 12, 2002 with 158 mm. The so-called Vb weather situation,
which led to this precipitation event and affected the entire Saxon and
Bohemian region, resulted in severe Elbe flooding.
Due to Dresden's location on the Elbe and on tributaries from the
Eastern Ore Mountains, flood protection had to be taken into account in
the city's development. For this purpose, open spaces were left and
backwaters were kept largely free of construction. In addition to this
retention, there are flood channels designed to drain water faster.
Systems for flood regulation, on the other hand, are hardly found in the
city, but rather in the Ore Mountains to the south and on the upper
reaches of the Elbe.
Vicinity
Nearby major cities are Chemnitz
(80 km southwest), Leipzig (100 km northwest) and the Czech capital
Prague (150 km south). Berlin is 200 km north; 230 km to the east is
Breslau (Wrocław), Dresden's closest sister city.
In the
neighborhood are the district of Bautzen with the town of Radeberg, the
district of Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains with the towns of
Pirna, Heidenau and Freital and the district of Meißen with Moritzburg
and the town of Radebeul. All of the cities mentioned border directly on
Dresden and form the core of the Dresden metropolitan area. A little
further away are Meißen, Riesa and the mountain town of Freiberg. Other
bordering communities are the town of Wilsdruff and Klipphausen to the
west, Radeburg, Ottendorf-Okrilla and Wachau to the north, and Arnsdorf
and Dürrröhrsdorf-Dittersbach to the east. Adjacent to the south are
Dohna, Kreischa and Bannewitz.
Dresden is part of the Elbe/Labe
Euroregion.
First settlement, founding of the city and the Middle Ages
The
first settlements in the Dresden area existed as early as the Neolithic
Age. The circular ditches in Nickern from the 5th millennium BC. Chr.
were the first monumental buildings in today's urban area.
The
ford through the Elbe near today's old town probably already existed in
the early Middle Ages. Despite the lucrative location on the Elbe and
its fertile soil, settlement remained problematic due to the heavy
forest cover. Dresden's name, which is derived from the old Sorbian
drežďany (= "swamp" or "alluvial forest dwellers", plural form), points
to an originally Slavic settlement. Dresdene was in what was then Gau
Nisan, which was transferred from Bohemia to the German King Konrad III
in 1142. came. Nearby Meissen was the seat of the Margraves of Meissen
from 968 and thus developed into the central location of the Margraviate
of Meissen, which was established in the course of the expansion and
incorporation of the Sorbian settlement areas east of the Elbe and
Saale. From 1156, the burgraveship of Dohna, which was directly related
to the empire, was located south-east of Dresden.
On March 31,
1206, Dresden is mentioned for the first time in a document that has
been preserved: Acta sunt hec Dresdene. The document issued in Dresden
deals with a court hearing for the demolition of Thorun Castle on the
Burgwartsberg, which lies in the area of today's city of Freital south
of Dresden between Potschappel and Pesterwitz. In a document dated
January 21, 1216, Dresden is already mentioned as a city: "Acta sunt hec
... in civitate nostra Dreseden".
Dresden (Altendresden), today's
Inner Neustadt, on the right bank of the Elbe, was first mentioned in
1350 as an independent settlement called "Antiqua Dressdin". The
granting of town charter to Altendresden has not yet been documented,
but it is said to have been granted by Wilhelm I on December 21, 1403.
It was not until March 29, 1549, under Elector Moritz, that the
parts of the city on the right and left banks of the Elbe formed a unit.
Early modern age
When the stacking rights were obtained on
September 17, 1455, Dresden was still a very insignificant city, but
after the Leipzig division of the Wettin lands in 1485 it became the
ducal residence of the Saxon rulers for centuries and experienced an
appreciation as the Wettin dominion was elevated to the status of
electorate and kingdom political and cultural center. Through the
transition of the electoral dignity within the House of Wettin
(Wittenberg Capitulation), the city became the capital of the most
important Protestant country within the Holy Roman Empire of the German
Nation. During this time, important cultural institutions were founded,
which make up the special status of the city to this day. The Dresden
mint, which was initially built by Elector August in 1556 in the
immediate vicinity of the residential palace, became the only mint in
the electorate after all state mints had been closed.
Dresden was
never plundered or destroyed during the Thirty Years' War, but its
development was disrupted around 1632 by the plague and famine and the
general economic stagnation. The history since the Thirty Years' War has
been very eventful: On the one hand, the world-famous buildings and
parks were built; on the other hand, the city was involved in almost all
major European wars and suffered multiple damage.
In 1685
Altendresden burned down completely. It was then rebuilt over several
decades and completed in 1732 as the "New Royal City". The district is
therefore referred to as Neustadt. Under Frederick Augustus I, known as
Augustus the Strong, Dresden achieved the cultural importance it has up
to the present day through the Dresden Baroque and the opulent courtyard
festivals of the Dresden court. In December 1745, the city was conquered
by Prussia for the first time in the War of the Austrian Succession. It
was again occupied unsuccessfully by Prussia in the Seven Years' War in
1756. When the Austrian army approached the city, the Prussian governor
called for retaliatory action and partially burned down the city. In
1760, Prussia unsuccessfully besieged Dresden and shelled the city
center in the process. In 1785 Friedrich Schiller wrote the poem An die
Freude for the table of the Masonic lodge "To the Three Swords" in
Dresden. This poem was set to music by Ludwig van Beethoven for his 9th
symphony. The melody of the theme of this setting is the anthem of the
European Union.
In the spring of 1791, in the nearby town of
Pillnitz, the Pillnitz Declaration marked the beginning of more than 150
years of hostility between Germany and France. In it, the primarily
German monarchs called on the European powers to smash the French
Revolution.
19th and early 20th century
In 1813, decisive
battles of the Battle of the Nations near Leipzig took place in the
greater Dresden area in the wars of liberation against Napoleon. Saxony,
and with it Dresden, fought on the side of France; the city was further
fortified by the French and protected by their troops. Napoleon won one
of his last victories on German soil on August 27, 1813 in the Battle of
Dresden. The southern suburbs of Dresden were partly badly destroyed,
and the city of Dresden resembled a large field hospital due to the
large number of wounded.
The Dresden May Uprising from May 3 to
9, 1849, which followed the March revolutions, forced the Saxon King
Friedrich August II to leave the city. He was only able to regain them
with Prussian support. Well-known participants in the uprising were
Richard Wagner and Gottfried Semper; both then left Saxony. After the
revolution was suppressed, the Dresden Conferences took place here in
1850/1851, the only ones during the time of the German Confederation at
which all states were represented.
In the further 19th century,
Dresden was spared from wars and became the capital of one of the most
prosperous federal states in the German Empire. Although the city was
unaffected by direct hostilities during the First World War, the
population declined by almost 20,000 people between 1910 and the first
year after the war, 1919.
From July 17th to 19th, 1880, the 11th
German Fire Brigade Day took place in Dresden.
Weimar Republic
After the November Revolution of 1918, Dresden became the capital of the
(first) Free State of Saxony. It was one of the ten largest cities in
Germany and was a cultural and economic center of the Weimar Republic.
The Dresden Secession was founded in 1919, and its best-known member was
Otto Dix. This group was preceded by the Brücke association before the
First World War. In 1925, an important school of performing arts was
founded with the Palucca School in Dresden alongside the existing
College of Fine Arts. The Saxon State Opera was an important stage for
world premieres. The playhouse of the State Theater was built by 1913.
Although the Dresdner Bank, founded in 1872, relocated its head
office to Berlin in the 19th century, Dresden remained an important
banking location, especially for smaller, family-run private banks,
until the 1920s. Leading companies existed here between 1918 and 1933 in
(electrical) mechanical engineering, pharmacy and cosmetics as well as
in tobacco processing and the food and luxury food industry. Some of
these companies (often in newly founded form) have survived to the
present day. The tram operations taken over by the city in 1909 were
privatized again in 1930 as Dresden Tramway AG.
Time of the
nationalsocialism
The approximately 5,000 Jewish residents of Dresden
who were still members of the community in 1933 were expelled or later
deported to concentration camps. Anti-Semitism in Dresden is primarily
documented in the diaries of Victor Klemperer (“I want to testify to the
last”). After the Second World War only 41 Jews lived in the city.
During the book burnings on March 8th and May 10th, 1933, the work
of the Dresdener Erich Kästner, among others, was to be “symbolically
erased forever”. The primarily Expressionist cultural life in Dresden
from the first quarter of the 20th century ended in 1933. The works by
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Max Pechstein, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff and Otto Dix
from this period were part of the Degenerate “Art” exhibition. 56 works
from the Galerie Neue Meister were confiscated. The State Opera, which
was influenced by works by Richard Strauss, was also under pressure. As
early as March 1933, a theatrical scandal staged by the SA at a
"Rigoletto" performance drove their famous general music director, Fritz
Busch, out of Dresden; Erna Berger, who was once discovered by Busch,
has since been engaged at the Berlin State Opera and is making a guest
appearance as Gilda that evening, witnessed this barbarism. The Strauss
opera "The Silent Woman" could only be premiered there in 1935 thanks to
the celebrity of its composer because of its Jewish librettist Stefan
Zweig, but had to be withdrawn from the repertoire after only three
repetitions and disappeared from the scene in Germany.
During the
November pogroms of 1938, the Old Synagogue (Sempersynagogue) was burned
down. Numerous shops and apartments were vandalized and looted in front
of the police, and Jewish citizens were mistreated. The wealthy male
Jewish citizens were then deported to concentration camps in order to
force them to emigrate and to Aryanize their assets.
Between 1939
and 1945 concentration camp prisoners, mainly from the camps in
Auschwitz and Flossenbürg, were in concentration camps in the city.
Several hundred women had to do forced labor in the armaments industry
at Zeiss Ikon (685 women in the Goehle factory and 400 women in
Dresden-Reick) and in the Universelle machine factory (685 women). There
was also a concentration camp subcamp at Schandauer Straße 68 in
Dresden-Striesen for the Berlin armaments factory Bernsdorf & Co. 500
Jews had to do forced labor here in the Striesen metal works and after
the bombing of Dresden, most were temporarily moved to Pirna and later
to Zwodau and Theresienstadt evacuated. 497 children were born in the
"Kiesgrube Dresden" care center for foreign children, and 225 infants
and small children died there. The surviving private banks owned by the
Jewish family were affiliated with the Dresdner Bank under duress.
Dresden had been a military center for centuries and was used until 1945
to set up large military units. Albertstadt north of the city center was
designed as a self-sufficient military town and was further expanded
during the National Socialist period.
During the Second World
War, the first air raids on the greater Dresden area were flown as early
as August 1944, prompting the city to prepare for bombing. During the
air raids on Dresden from 13 to 15 February 1945, large parts of the
city were severely damaged by British and US bombers in four consecutive
night raids. The exact number of victims is uncertain. In the past,
individual publications - and still undeterred in many historical
revisionist and right-wing extremist publications - incorrectly stated
around 350,000 dead. The Report of the Joint Relief 1941-1946 of the
International Red Cross also peddled a false figure of 275,000 victims.
More recently, the number of victims has been corrected to 22,700, at
most 25,000. According to historian Frederick Taylor, the false number
of victims was a falsification by the Nazis themselves: a zero was
simply added to create anti-Allied sentiment in neutral media and
countries. Damage to buildings is also often overstated. 60 percent of
the urban area was severely affected by the attacks, 15 km² starting
from the city center were even totally destroyed; Districts in the north
and north-west, on the other hand, suffered little damage. Mainly from
Dresden-Klotzsche Airport, which was north of the city limits at the
time, the surrounded Breslau was supplied from mid-February 1945 until
May 6th, before Dresden itself was occupied by the Red Army on May 8th,
the day of the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht. Previously, in
a covert action without the knowledge of each other, five people,
including Paul Zickler and Erich Stöckel, named on a commemorative
plaque, foiled the SS plan to blow up the Blue Wonder.
time of
the German Democratic Republic
From 1952 to 1990, Dresden was the
capital of the Dresden district of the same name.
During the time
of socialism, many remains of the badly damaged city were removed. Many
ruins in Dresden, including the remains of the Sophienkirche, but above
all the historic residential buildings, were removed or blown up. The
historic city center was gutted and continuously rebuilt. The area
around the once lively Prager Strasse was a wasteland before it was
rebuilt in the socialist style in the early 1960s.
The historic
monumental buildings in particular were renovated or completely
reconstructed, such as the Estates House (1946), the Augustus Bridge
(1949), the Kreuzkirche (until 1955), the Zwinger (until 1963), the
Catholic Hofkirche (until 1965), the Semperoper ( until 1985), the
Japanese Palace (until 1987) and the two largest train stations (in some
cases continuously). Shaped by the overall economic situation in the
GDR, some of this work dragged on for decades and was sometimes
interrupted for long periods of time. The castle was secured over many
years and parts reconstructed (such as the stable yard). Reconstruction
only began in 1986 and has continued to this day. The ruins of the
Frauenkirche were to remain on the Neumarkt as a memorial against the
war.
While Theaterplatz and Schloßplatz were built up at least
according to historical models in 1990, Neumarkt remained completely
undeveloped. The Altmarkt, on the other hand, is characterized by
buildings of socialist classicism and a room design and orientation
according to socialist ideals (e.g. Kulturpalast).
From 1955 to
1958, a large part of the art treasures captured by the Soviet Union was
returned, so that from 1960 many museums of the State Art Collections
could be opened in restored facilities or temporary exhibitions. The
important ensembles such as the Staatskapelle performed in alternative
venues (e.g. in the Kulturpalast from 1969). Parts of the cultural
institutions were moved out of the city center (such as the state
library in Albertstadt).
The Outer Neustadt, which was almost
undestroyed during the war, was preserved due to civil protests. It was
threatened with demolition in the 1980s because its development had been
severely neglected and was therefore in poor condition.
In
Prohlis and Gorbitz, large prefabricated housing estates were built on
previously undeveloped land. The Johannstadt and other areas in the city
center were also built over in large block construction. The villa
districts in Blasewitz, Striesen, Kleinzschachwitz, Loschwitz and Weißen
Hirsch have been largely preserved.
Until the end of the Cold
War, the 1st Guards Tank Army of the Soviet Army and the 7th Tank
Division of the National People's Army were stationed in and around
Dresden. After reunification in the GDR from 1989, the Soviet/Russian
troops were withdrawn from Germany in the early 1990s and the NVA was
dissolved in accordance with the provisions of the 1990 Two Plus Four
Treaty.
Between September 30 and October 5, 1989, special trains
with the refugees from the German Embassy in Prague drove to the Federal
Republic via Dresden and Plauen. Especially on the night of October 4th
and 5th, thousands of people gathered at the main train station. Violent
clashes broke out between security forces and citizens, some of whom
were demonstrating and others who wanted to catch the trains to flee. On
October 8, around 20,000 people marched through Dresden and
demonstrated, among other things, for freedom of travel and freedom of
expression. A large number of them were surrounded by the police on
Prager Strasse. The “Group of 20” formed spontaneously, and the next day
presented the demonstrators' demands to the SED mayor, Wolfgang
Berghofer. On the following day, the first large Monday demonstration
took place in Leipzig, as also took place in Dresden in the following
weeks.
Since 1990
After the political changes in 1989 and
German reunification in 1990, Dresden once again became the capital of
the re-established state of Saxony.
Some old buildings in the
city were demolished again. However, many others have been restored with
the help of tax subsidies. Many areas of Dresden are therefore regarded
as examples of the successful restoration of monuments and are listed as
a whole.
In August 2002, the city was hit by the "flood of the
century". The Weisseritz and the Elbe along with several of their
tributaries flooded the city. The Elbe reached a level that surpassed
the hitherto heaviest flood of 1845. Infrastructure repairs continue
after the flood to the present; affected buildings were repaired much
more quickly.
With the construction of the Waldschlößchen Bridge
in 2013, Dresden received a fourth Elbe crossing for road traffic.
On October 30, 2005, after a ten-year reconstruction, which was
largely financed by donations, the Frauenkirche was consecrated
("Miracle of Dresden"). In 2006 the city celebrated its 800th
anniversary (formally on the day it was first mentioned on March 31).
The highlight was a re-enactment of the entire procession of princes by
riders in historical costumes as part of the parade in August. On June
5, 2009, Barack Obama was the first President of the United States to
visit the city and met Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Residenzschloss.
He then visited the Frauenkirche.
In 2012, the Technical
University of Dresden was included in the group of “elite universities”
in Germany.
In October 2014, the Islamophobic and xenophobic
movement Pegida, which attracted much attention through demonstrations
in Dresden and subsequently in other cities in 2015, was launched. On
April 21, 2015, the city, together with the Swedish city of Vara,
received the Europe Prize, which is awarded annually by the Committee of
Ministers of the Council of Europe to municipalities that have rendered
outstanding services to the European idea.