Top 20 Attractions in Dresden

Dresden has long been considered the cultural capital of Saxony. For tourists, it is one of the most interesting German cities. This is a picturesque oasis in the Elbe River valley - surprisingly harmonious, calm and elegant. Numerous sights of Dresden have been skillfully restored after the destruction of World War II, so today thousands of tourists can admire its unique atmosphere.

The cultural treasures of the Dresden museums were carefully preserved for future generations and taken out of the city during the terrible bombardments. After the reconstruction, many collections were returned to the city. Today, guests can still enjoy the exhibitions and learn from them the history of ancient Saxony.

What to see and where to go in Dresden?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Zwinger

Palace and park complex of the XVIII-XIX centuries. Its construction began under the Saxon elector Augustus the Strong, who was impressed by the beauties of the French Versailles and wanted to build an equally beautiful residence in his kingdom. On the territory of the Zwinger there is a picturesque landscape park and several famous museums. The complex was significantly damaged during the bombings of 1945, most of the palace was restored from ruins.

Albertinum

Dresden Art Museum. Until the end of the 19th century, the Arsenal was located in the building, then the city archive and museum collections were located here. The gallery got its name in honor of King Albert, who was an ardent admirer and connoisseur of art. The Albertinum exhibits the works of masters who worked in the style of realism, impressionism, romanticism. In addition to paintings, a rich sculptural exposition is presented.

Gallery of Old Masters

Museum located in one of the Zwinger palaces. The gallery contains unique masterpieces of artists, starting from the Renaissance. The collection began to take shape in the first half of the 18th century with the assistance of the rulers Augustus II and Augustus III. Prior to the bombing of the Zwinger, the paintings were removed from the museum, so they were saved from destruction. Until 1965, the gallery's collection was located on the territory of the USSR.

Dresden castle residence

The official residence of the Saxon rulers. According to historical documents, the first fortress appeared on this site at the end of the 13th century. Over time, the building took on an increasingly solemn appearance in accordance with the architectural traditions of successive eras. By the middle of the 16th century, the palace became a residence and was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. By the 19th century, the façade was “overgrown” with baroque elements and acquired its modern look.

Brühl's Terrace

A section of the Elbe river embankment with a length of about 500 meters. In the 19th century, it was a popular promenade for the European nobility, who came to Dresden to admire the picturesque views of the city and the river. Just at that time, Brühl's terrace began to be called the "balcony of Europe." In the 16th century, the promenade was part of the Dresden military fortification system, but gradually lost its defensive significance.

Frauenkirche - Church of Our Lady

Cathedral of the 18th century in the monumental Baroque style, designed by the architect G. Baer. After the total destruction of the historic building in 1945, the temple lay in ruins until the very unification of Germany in the late 80s. XX century. The grand opening of the completely restored church took place in 2005. This was preceded by the painstaking work of restorers who have been working on recreating the original appearance of the building since 1993.

Hofkirche - Catholic court church

Cathedral of the Dresden Catholic Diocese. The building was built in the Baroque style according to the project of G. Chiaveri in the middle of the 18th century. The Hofkirche was originally used as the court church of the family of the ruler Frederick Augustus II. Inside there is a family crypt of the dynasty of the Dukes of Wettin - the rulers of Saxony. The church was completely restored after the destruction of World War II by 1962.

Kreuzkirche - Church of the Holy Cross

Dresden's main Protestant church, one of the oldest and largest churches in Saxony. In the XII century, in its place was the Basilica of St. Nicholas. Several times the building burned, collapsed and rebuilt until it got its modern look at the end of the 18th century. The outer façade of the Kreuzkirche survived the bombings of 1945. The church has gained fame thanks to the boys' choir, whose virtuoso singing has accompanied worship for many centuries.

Dreikönigskirche - Church of the Three Wise Men

The first mention of the temple dates back to the 15th century, but the buildings of those times have not been preserved. The baroque building was designed by the architect M.D. Pöppelman in 1739. Inside the church there is a decorative composition (frieze) called "Dresden Dance of Death", which was created under Augustus the Strong to denounce the "pernicious" ideas of the Church Reformation.

Semper Opera

Dresden State Opera, where one of the oldest European orchestras plays. Under the Saxon rulers, the stage served as a royal opera. On the stage of the Semperoper, the premieres of several works by the famous composer I. Strauss took place. The last restoration of the building took place in 1985. In order to recreate the building of the XIX century, it took a long search for its original design.

German Hygiene Museum

Anatomical Museum, where visitors can learn about the structure and work of the human body. It was founded in the first half of the 20th century by the industrialist K.A. Lingner, inventor of the hygienic mouthwash. The first and at that time the most revolutionary exhibit was a glass human figure. All organs and systems were clearly visible through the transparent shell of the model.

Military History Museum of the Bundeswehr

A major military museum, first opened in 1877. In addition to accommodating exhibits, its premises were used as an Arsenal and for leasing to entrepreneurs. In 1945, under the terms of the peace treaty, the museum was closed, most of the collection was taken to the USSR. Since 1972, the GDR Army Museum has been operating in the building. Since 1990, after the reunification of Germany, the exposition was reopened under the name "Military History Museum of the German Armed Forces".

Panel "Procession of Princes"

A composition of porcelain slabs decorating one of the walls of the stable courtyard of the Dresden Castle-Residence. The painting depicts the rulers of Saxony - representatives of the Wettin dynasty. The panel is made of 25,000 plates produced at the Meissen manufactory. The attraction was almost not damaged during the destruction of 1945, so tourists can enjoy its original beauty.

Jenice

The building of the former tobacco factory of the beginning of the 20th century, built in the original "oriental" style. The structure is crowned with a glass dome, typical for the architecture of mosques, on the sides there are exhaust pipes disguised as Arab "minarets". After the shutdown of the factory in 1953, the premises are used to house offices. There is also a restaurant under the dome.

Castle Palace Pillnitz

Summer residence of the rulers of Saxony on the banks of the Elbe. At the beginning of the 18th century, at the behest of August the Strong Wettin, the Water and Upland Palaces were erected according to the project of the architects Z. Longlyun and M. Peppelman, a little later the New Palace appeared. On the territory of the complex there is the Castle Museum, the Museum of Applied Arts and a magnificent landscape park in the English style.

Elbe castles of Dresden

Three small castles of the middle of the 19th century, standing on the right bank of the Elbe: Lingner, Albrechtsberg, Ekberg. The structures never performed defensive functions; they were created for the Prussian prince Albrecht. In the 20th century, castles were used as hotels, exhibition halls, restaurants, offices of international organizations. The parks located on the territory surrounding the castles are open to the public.

Moritzburg Castle

The majestic castle in the city of Moritzburg (14 km from Dresden), one of the residences of the Wettin royal dynasty. In the middle of the 16th century, a hunting estate was located on the site of the castle. Under Augustus the Strong, a large-scale reconstruction of the building itself and redevelopment of the surrounding landscape were carried out. The result is a picturesque "water palace" in the Saxon Baroque style.

Elbe river

The riverbed stretched for 1165 km. across Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and Poland. The Dresden Elbe Valley (and the old center of Dresden included in it) was included in the UNESCO list due to its special beauty before the construction of the Waldschlöschen bridge. In the valley there are vast areas of water meadows on which nothing has ever been built, a closed reserve and natural terraces.

Bridge "Blue Miracle"

The official name of the building is Loshvitsky Bridge. The 280 meters long structure connects the districts of Loschwitz and Blasewitz. The bridge was erected at the end of the 19th century according to a progressive and innovative project for its time by engineer B. Kruger. Before the bridge started working, it was subjected to numerous strength tests. Today, the Blue Miracle is in excellent condition and is actively exploited.

Bastei Bridge

A bridge built between coastal cliffs in the first half of the 19th century. The architecture of the building is reminiscent of ancient Roman aqueducts and an early Romanesque building at the same time. It is surrounded by picturesque views of the area known as the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The bridge rises 195 meters above the Elbe and offers a magnificent view of the river valley, mountain plateaus and coastal cliffs.