A Quick Guide To Dresden Germany

Author:: Jeremy East

Visit The Frauenkirche

It's the landmark of the city, the symbol of its history, and one of the loveliest churches in Europe. A visit to this church should be included in any trip to Dresden, even if only to see the outside. The architecture of this Baroque building is unique and impressive.

There's only one other church in the world that is made entirely of sandstone, and that one is in Strasbourg. In the GDR, the church was declared a war memorial. Reconstruction of the church commenced in 1994, and it was finally reconsecrated some 60 years after its destruction, in 2005.

Have A Stroll In Dresden Old Town

Dresden's historic center is to be found on the left bank of the Elbe. The area is still defined by the magnificent buildings of the Renaissance, Baroque and 19th century.

Despite the damage inflicted in World War II, the Old Town has retained its old charm, and is still a major attraction. The highlight on a tour of the Old Town is the Frauenkirche.

Shop Till You Drop In The Prager Strasse

It was almost completely destroyed in the war; now it's more of a shopping paradise than ever before: the Prager Strasse is the most important shopping street in Dresden.

It links the main station with the old market. In the days of the GDR, it was rebuilt as a flagship quarter, and today it is the key feature in Dresden's city-scape. It includes the main department store chains and the Centrum Galerie with over 100 shops, as well as hotels and restaurants.

The Prager Strasse is the no. 1 choice for power shoppers.

Visit The Old Masters Picture Gallery

The Old Masters Picture Gallery is held in high regard all over the world for its excellent selection of superlative masterpieces. At the heart is the Italian Renaissance with works by Raffael, Giorgione, Titian, Mantegna, Botticelli, Parmigianino, Veronese and Tintoretto.

The main attraction is without doubt Raffael's "Sistine Madonna". The proportion of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish masters is no less significant. Rembrandt and his school are represented by a large number of works, as are Ruysdael and the great Flemings Rubens, Jordaens and van Dyck.

A visit to this gallery and the fabulous rooms of the Dresden Zwinger is a must for any art lover.

Enjoy An Opera At The Staatsoperette

The Staatsoperette Dresden offers a broad repertoire of operettas, light opera, musicals and entertainment for almost all ages.

Classic operettas such as "Die Fledermaus", "A Night in Venice", light operas such as "The Magic flute", "The Bartered Bride" and musicals such as "My Fair Lady", "Evita" and "The Wizard of Oz" are all on the programme. The Staatsoperette and tgj.theater have moved into their new home on the site of the Mitte thermal power station in 2016.

Visit The Military History Museum

Like a gigantic wedge the steel construction of star architect Daniel Libeskind breaks up the harmonic Neo-Baroque front of the museum. It's reminiscent of the v-shaped air strikes on Dresden during the Second World War.

In accordance with the exterior, the exhibition inside illustrates the roots and facets of war and violence. In an eye-opening and interactive manner guests embark on a journey through time, exploring Europe’s military history in an enormous exhibition space.

Get Sweet At Kreutzkamm

Founded in Dresden in 1825 and once the holder of the royal warrant, the Café Kreutzkamm is a paradise with tradition for the sweet-toothed.

Cakes, gateaux, chocolates, fine pastries, specialties and other delights are available in abundance in this shop in the Altmarkt Gallery. Baumkuchen - "tree cake" - and Rosinenstollen - "raisin cake" - are especially popular with customers.

And those who wish to enjoy its sweet delights back at home can take advantage of its international shipping service.

Visit The Albertinum

Since its restoration and refurbishment in 2010, the Albertinum is now a center of art from the Romantic period to the present day. The new exhibition halls are divided into the "Galerie Neue Meister", the Gallery of New Masters, and the Sculpture Collection.

The two museums are among the most renowned in the world. The exhibitions include paintings by artists ranging from Caspar David Friedrich to Gerhard Richter and sculptures ranging from Rodin to the 21st century.

The new Albertinum as a whole is designed for encounters between painting and sculpture, between the Romantic and the Modern, between East and West, and between yesterday, today and tomorrow.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.