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Dresden is a wonderful reason for travelers to head to eastern Germany.
Located about 125 miles south of Berlin, Dresden is slowly regaining the
architectural landscape that made it one of Europe's urban treasures. Located
along scenic bends of the Elbe River, Dresden's beauty also comes from the
surrounding peaceful countryside.
Map of
Dresden
Key Points about Dresden
Dresden is an architectural jewel. Most of the Baroque architecture was built
during the 18th century according to the vision of Augustus the Strong, King of
Poland and Elector of Saxony. Fortunately, most of the major sites
are located in the historic center, within walking distance of the main railway
station.
Dresden regained its position as capital city of Saxony in 1990. Under the
GDR, Saxony had been split into three different states, now regrouped.
Dresden, like surrounding communities, is famous for its porcelain. You can
also sample wines from grapes grown on the banks of the Elbe river.
Dresden:
A Short History
Dresden is a city with a thorny past. Monks gave Dresden its start by
establishing a missionary settlement there in the 11th century. Its medieval beginnings gave way in the
18th century to Baroque masterpieces that made the city one of the outstanding
urban centers of the Age of Enlightenment.
Dresden has long attracted poets, philosophers, writers and artists. In the 19th
century, it was a center of German literary and musical Romanticism. Through the
centuries, Germany's creative citizens flocked to soak up Dresden's inspiration,
including Goethe, Schiller, Wagner, Schumann and Kleist. One
of Dresden's most fateful moments came on February 13, 1945 when Allied planes
dropped bombs on the city, engulfing the city in firestorms. Thousands of
residents perished, as well as the Baroque architecture. The GDR government
partially restored the historic buildings but left many to languish. In 1989,
residents of Dresden were the first Germans to dare follow the Polish example of
overthrowing Communist Party rule, thronging the streets in protest. After
reunification, Dresden embarked on a decade of reconstruction, regaining at
least some of its lost luster. Although the rebuilding needs to continue, Dresden will make
a traveler's visit to eastern Germany an
architectural feast. 
Blick auf Dresden by J.C. Dahl Regional
Specialties
The Dresden area's specialties tend to be on the sweet side. The Dresdner
Stollen puts a twist on the traditional German Christmas cake by shaping it like
an infant in swaddling clothes. Blechkuchen is a layer cake covered with fruit
and Welfenspeise is a vanilla dessert made with wine. Dresden Sauerbraten comes
with currant sauce. As
for dining options, Dresden has a wide variety of restaurants
and cafes to choose from.
Staying
Overnight
Visit the Web site of Dresden's official tourist
information office to get information about accommodations, which range from
hotels to hostels. Hotels can be expensive, but other options are
available.
Getting
There and Getting Around
By air: the Dresden
Airport is located north of the city, about 9 km from the city center. By
rail: take intercity trains which arrive at the main train station (Dresden
Hauptbahnhof). Commuter trains will take you to nearby destinations along the
Elbe River, such as Meissen. By
car: take the A13 highway from Berlin. Take the A13 if you're coming from the
east (Görlitz) or from the west or south (Leipzig or Bavaria). Dresden is
congested, so you might want to park your car and take public transportation
into and around the city. Dresden
has an extensive public transit system whose routes you can see on the map.
Shopping
Centers
Hertie is a German
department store. In Dresden, it's on Pragerstrasse 17. Visit its wonderful
grocery and wine department. C&A
is another department store located in the Altstadt on Seestrasse 7. Elbe
Park is a giant shopping center just off the Neustadt highway exit.
Tourist
Information
For complete sightseeing, dining, and accommodations information, visit the Web site of
the Dresden Tourist
Information Office. In Dresden, you can find tourist information
offices on Prager Street near the main train station and on Theaterplatz in the
Schinkelwache (Old Guardhouse). |
