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    Tourist Attractions in Dresden

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Dresden. Photos and a brief description.

    Dresden
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    About 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 valley of the Elbe River – surprisingly harmonious, calm and elegant. Numerous attractions of Dresden have been artfully restored after the destruction of the Second World War, 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 outside the city during the terrible bombing. After the reconstruction, many collections were returned to the city. Nowadays, guests can still enjoy the expositions and study the history of ancient Saxony from them.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Dresden

    Tsvinger

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

    Tsvinger
    Albertinum

    Albertinum

    Dresden Art Museum. Until the end of the XIX century, the building housed an Arsenal, 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 works by masters who worked in the style of realism, impressionism, romanticism. In addition to paintings, there is a rich sculptural exposition.

    Gallery of Old Masters

    A museum located in one of the Zwinger palaces. The gallery contains unique masterpieces of artists dating back to the Renaissance. The collection began to form in the first half of the XVIII century with the assistance of the rulers Augustus II and Augustus III. Before the bombing of Zwinger, the paintings were taken out of the museum, so they were saved from destruction. Until 1965, the gallery's collection was located on the territory of the USSR.

    Gallery of Old Masters
    Dresden Castle-residence

    Dresden Castle-residence

    The official residence of the Saxon rulers. According to the evidence of historical documents, the first fortress appeared on this site at the end of the XIII century. Over time, the structure acquired an increasingly solemn appearance according to the architectural traditions of successive eras. By the middle of the XVI century, the palace became a residence and was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. By the XIX century, the facade was "overgrown" with baroque elements and acquired its modern appearance.

    Bruhl's Terrace

    A section of the embankment of the Elbe River with a length of about 500 meters. In the XIX century it was a popular place for walks of the European nobility, who came to Dresden to admire the picturesque views of the city and the river. It was at that time that Bruhl's terrace began to be called the "balcony of Europe". In the XVI century, the promenade was part of the Dresden system of military fortifications, but gradually lost its defensive significance.

    Bruhl's Terrace
    Frauenkirche — Church of the Virgin

    Frauenkirche — Church of the Virgin

    The cathedral of the XVIII century in the style of monumental Baroque, designed by architect G. Baer. After the total destruction of the historic building in 1945, the temple lay in ruins until the unification of Germany in the late 80s of the XX century. The grand opening of the fully 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 structure since 1993.

    Hofkirche — Catholic Court Church

    Cathedral of the Dresden Catholic Diocese. The building was built in the Baroque style by G. Chiavari in the middle of the XVIII century. The Hofkirche was originally used as the court church of the family of the ruler Frederick Augustus II. Inside is the 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.

    Hofkirche — Catholic Court Church
    Kreuzkirche — Church of the Holy Cross

    Kreuzkirche — Church of the Holy Cross

    The main Protestant church in Dresden, 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 received its modern appearance at the end of the XVIII century. The exterior facade of the Kreuzkirche survived the bombing of 1945. The church has gained fame thanks to the boys' choir, whose virtuoso singing accompanies services for many centuries.

    Dreikenigskirche — Church of the Three Magi

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

    Dreikenigskirche — Church of the Three Magi
    Semper 's Opera

    Semper 's Opera

    The Dresden State Opera, where one of the oldest European orchestras plays. Under the Saxon rulers, the stage played the role of the royal opera. Premieres of several works by the famous composer I. Strauss took place on the stage of Semper's opera. 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 XX century by industrialist K.A. Lingner, the inventor of 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.

    German Hygiene Museum
    Bundeswehr Military History Museum

    Bundeswehr Military History Museum

    A large military museum, first opened in 1877. In addition to the placement of 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 working in the building. Since 1990, after the unification of Germany, the exposition has reopened under the name "Military History Museum of the Armed Forces of Germany".

    Panel "Procession of Princes"

    A composition of porcelain plates decorating one of the walls of the stable yard of the Dresden castle-residence. The painting depicts the rulers of Saxony – representatives of the Wettin dynasty. The panel is laid out of 25 thousand plates, which are produced at the Meissen manufactory. The attraction was almost not damaged during the destruction of 1945, so tourists can enjoy its original beauty.

    Panel
    Yenidce

    Yenidce

    The building of the former tobacco factory of the beginning of the XX century, built in the original "oriental" manner. The structure is crowned by a glass dome, characteristic of the architecture of mosques, on the sides there are exhaust pipes disguised as Arab "minarets". After the factory was shut down in 1953, the premises were used to house offices. There is also a restaurant under the dome.

    Pilnitz Castle-Palace

    The summer residence of the rulers of Saxony on the banks of the Elbe. At the beginning of the XVIII century , by the will of August the Strong Wettin , the Water and Mountain Palaces were erected according to the project of architects Z. Longlun and M. Peppelman, a little later a New palace appeared. On the territory of the complex there is a Castle Museum, a Museum of applied Arts and a magnificent landscape park in the English style.

    Pilnitz Castle-Palace
    The Elbe Castles of Dresden

    The Elbe Castles of Dresden

    Three small castles of the middle of the XIX 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 XX 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

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

    Moritzburg Castle
    The Elbe River

    The Elbe River

    The riverbed stretched for 1165 km . on the territory of Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and Poland. The Dresden Valley of the Elbe (and the old center of Dresden included in it), because of its special beauty, was included in the UNESCO list before the construction of the Waldschleschen Bridge. In the valley there are vast territories of flood meadows, on which nothing has ever been built, a closed nature reserve and natural terraces.

    Blue Miracle

    The official name of the structure is Loshvitsky Bridge. The 280-meter-long structure connects the Loschwitz and Blazewitz districts. The bridge was built at the end of the XIX 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. Nowadays, the "Blue Miracle" is in excellent condition and is actively exploited.

    Blue Miracle
    Bridge Bastai Bridge

    Bridge Bastai Bridge

    The bridge laid between the coastal rocks in the first half of the XIX century. The architecture of the structure resembles ancient Roman aqueducts and early Romanesque buildings 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.