Hardly any German city has changed its appearance as much as Dresden. The Saxon capital continues to develop without respite and is once more to be counted among the most beautiful cities in Europe.

More than sixty years after its destruction in World War II, Dresden can once again offer the splendor of an artistic and cultural city in the Mediterranean atmosphere of the Elbe Valley. But it also has the flair of a rising scientific and economic metropolis.

The baroque Zwinger, the Semper Opera House and the baroque Catholic Cathedral, all in the historic center of Dresden, are the most important sights of the city. Together, they frame "Theaterplatz" - one of the most beautiful squares in Germany.

The immense renaissance Royal Palace of the Saxon kings and the baroque Church of Our Lady (officially inaugurated and re-opened in October 2005) have become symbols for the reconstruction of the city.

Dresden's museums permanently house innumerable treasures with Raffael's cherubs being perhaps the most famous ambassadors of the 12 museums of the Saxon State Art Collections. The "Green Vault" is regarded as one of the world's most important treasures.

Turn-of-the-century Dresden is perhaps less known. Sights include the technical monuments of the funicular railway, the cable railway and the iron "Blaues Wunder" (Blue Wonder) bridge. The colorful Dresden-Neustadt district boasts numerous bars and pubs, and is surrounded by suburbs built in the 1900s. The garden city of Hellerau and the exclusive residential districts of Blasewitz, Loschwitz and Weisser Hirsch are reminders of Dresden's greater past and stand at the same time for a high quality of life recovered since the German unification. In the evening, Dresden offers an abundance of cultural attractions including the Saxon State Opera house (named the Semper Opera House after its architect) with its Saxon State Orchestra as well as the State Operetta, the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, numerous festivals and countless small theaters, cabarets and concert halls.

Then there are Dresden's beautiful surroundings. The Saxon Wine Route passes through the town of Meissen, famous for porcelain and wine, and continues to Dresden and its own vineyards. The Saxon Switzerland, with its bizarre limestone formations, attracts many nature lovers. The Slav culture of the Sorb people has been preserved in the Oberlausitz, and Prague is just a day's excursion away.

For more information, please go to www.dresden.de.

Local Events

• May: International Dixieland Festival, Dresden Music Festival
• June:  Elbhangfest Riverside Festival Week
• October: "Heart over Heels" - Family exhibition on the human body at the Deutsche Hygiene Museum
• November: "Jazztage Dresden - International festival with first-class jazz beyond Dixieland and free jazz
• December: Dresden "Striezelmarkt", Germany's oldest Christmas Market, New Years Eve on Dresden's Theaterplatz 

More Information

Dresden Marketing GmbH
Theaterstrasse 6
D-01067 Dresden
Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 351-50173-0
Fax: +49 (0) 351-50173-111
www.dresden.de
info@dresden.travel

National Contacts

German National Tourist Office
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2000
New York, NY 10168
Phone: (212) 661 7200
Fax: (212) 661 7174
www.cometogermany.com
germanyinfo@d-z-t.com