Ten tourist attractions to discover the old town of Dresden

The capital of the federal state of Saxony, Dresden, is located on the banks of the Elbe River, a distance of 205 km from Berlin, 152 km to 461 km to Prague and Vienna. With an area of ​​approximately 330 km², it is considered the fourth largest city in Germany and more than 60% of its territory is covered by forests and green spaces including four nature reserves, 12 areas of conservation of landscape and 110 natural monuments and protected landscape features.

Its beauty made the German writer Erich Kästner to describe Dresden as "a triad composed of history, art and nature", and a visit to Dresden will provide a travel through the history of Saxony. Despite suffering from damages during the Second World War, the old town of Dresden has preserved and regained prewar architectural harmony.

The most impressive symbols and sights are:

Theaterplatz

Semper Opera House (Semperoper) of Theaterplatz was originally known as Hoftheater, built between 1871 to 1878 after plans by Gottfried Semper, is one of the most beautiful theater buildings of the 19th century and is also the only theater in Germany named after its architect. The opera house was completely destroyed in 1945 and reopened 40 years later in 1985, and was rebuilt with particular attention to architectural details. Over the time, the opera house has seen many events and musical premiers, and now, Dresden State Orchestra, one of the most famous orchestras in the world, supports their concerts in the beautiful Semperoper.

Zwinger

It is presented in the form of a sumptuous interior of a medieval fortress, built between 1710 and 1738, in King Augustus the Strong's desire (Frederick Augustus I) by the architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann and the sculptor Balthasar Permoser. If the initial project involves the construction an orangery and a market designed for festivals, with time many works of art decorated the pavilions and galleries of this famous building complex, designed in the Baroque style. The Nymphenbad Fountain attracts every tourist's attention and the crown, the eagle and the emblem are the stylized embodiment of King Augustus the Strong. The Glockenspiel Pavilion (named after the Meissen porcelain bells, made ​​in 1936) houses the largest collection of porcelain in the world.

Residenzschloss

The Royal Palace was built in the late 15th century on the ruins of a former medieval castle and has a beautiful Neo-Renaissance facade, Hausmannsturm ,100 m high, being the oldest tower of the palace.

Hofkirche

The Catholic Church is the  Diocese Dred-Meissen Cathedral and was built in the mid 18th century by the Italian architect Gaetano Chiaveri as a basilica, with three naves and four chapels. The 83.5 m high tower has a unique beauty and the luxurious interior of the church includes an organ made ​​by master Gottfried Silbermann Saxon. Inside the crypt you can also find the crypt where the heart of King of Augustus the Strong was burried.

Brühlsche Terrasse

In the 18th century, Brühlsche Terrasse actually represented the huge private garden of Heinrich von Brühl Minister, whose name it bears today. A century later, the terrace was transformed into a beautiful promenade, accessible to everyone, and offers a lovely view of the former parliament building, the Frauenkirche and the Academy of Art. On the banks of the nearby Elbe, lies anchored the oldest fleet of ships in the world, some of them being over 100 years old and fully functional.

Frauenkirche

Also called by the locals the Stone Bell, is is placed in the Neumarkt square and is the largest Protestant church, built between 1726 -1743 after the drawings of George Bähr. Destroyed by bombs in 1945, the church was rebuilt 60 years later, using a large number of pieces of marble recovered from the rubble.

Altmarkt

Altmarkt or the Old Market is the oldest market in Dresden, many events being held there throughout the year, including Striezelmarkt, considered the oldest Christmas market organized on the occasion. Destroyed during the Second World War, the Altmarkt market and the surrounding buildings were rebuilt between 1953 -1956, the Baroque Palace of Culture being raised in 1969 in the north of the market.

Kreuzchirche

Kreuzchirche was built on the site of an old church that belonged to the 13th century, called Nikolaikirche. The present church was completed between the years 1764 -1800 in the late Baroque and early classical style, and can accommodate up to 4,000 people. The church tower provides a unique view of the city and the River Elbe valley. Kreuzchirche is recognized both for Kreuzchor Dresden choir boys and the fact that here take place and official regional bishop of the Protestant community.

Rathaus

The City Hall was built between 1904 -1910 by architects Karl Roth and Edmund Brater for the city administration and, the 98 meters high tower, overlooks the city through the gilded statue of the Greek hero Hercules.

Prager Strasse

A complete walk through the old city ends on Prager Strasse, Altmakt or Wilsdruffer Strasse, being considered the main commercial streets of the city, and where shops of all kinds called tourists for shopping and the restaurants and cafes invite on sipping a cup of coffee with a delicious Eierschecke cake, or ,during the holiday season, a piece of Christstollen.