14 BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN DRESDEN
Dresden, Germany, is known as the Florence on the Elbe. It is because it's a beautiful, vibrant riverfront city. Guest will love exploring the city as they can admire the many Baroque and Rococo architecture. Guests should not miss seeing the Frauenkirche Dresden, a stunning Protestant church. Guests will also love the city due to its quiet and scenic atmosphere.
In Dresden you will find some beautiful attractions that you just cannot miss! Places like Zwinger, Augustus Bridge, and Dresden Cathedral and many more. Continue reading to know more.
1. Zwinger
Zwinger is the perfect place for those who want to be transported back in time as it features architecture design dating back to the 17th century. It is located in Germany and is considered to be the country's most notable Baroque structure as its architecture is really captivating and beautiful. Visitors would surely have a good time admiring the building and would feel as if they are living in the 17th century when looking at the Zwinger.
2. Augustus Bridge
Connecting the Innere Neustadt to the historic city center in the south, the Augustus Bridge has one of the most iconic outlines in the Dresden skies. Built between 1907 and 1910, it offers a brilliant vantage point to get a stunning panoramic view of Dresden.
3. Dresden Cathedral
The original 18th century Baroque architectural masterpiece was destroyed by aerial bombing during World War II in the 1940s. With its ruins left as a monument to the horrors of war, the church was eventually reconstructed starting 1994. This was the time when East Germany was fully freed from Communist rule and reunited with democratic West Germany. After a few years of advanced and arduous restoration work, the place of worship was eventually reconsecrated in the mid 2000s. Since then, the Dresden Cathedral has served as a peaceful refuge for both the spirit and the intellect. Aside from religious services, some of which are in English, the church has also featured talks conducted by Nobel Peace Prize laureates all over the world. There is also a museum within the church complex that chronicles the mammoth reconstruction effort which resurrected this magnificent cathedral back to life.
4. Bundeswehr Military History Museum
Reopened in 2011, Bundeswehr Military History Museum is a museum dedicated to the German Army. The original building was an armory that later became a museum of Nazi's, Soviet's and East German and was closed after the unification of Germany in 1989. The museum showcases the military history of the country through guns, insignia, pictures, documents, etc.
5. The Green Vault
Founded in 1723, this unique museum also has some claim to being the oldest museum in the world. Although it suffered during the bombing of Dresden in World War II, it was completely restored post that. Its wide array of exhibits features pieces that include almost every imaginable style, ranging from Baroque to Classicism.
6. Dresden Porcelain Collection
A pretty slice of Asian artistic heritage can be found in this very German city. The Porzellansammlung (Porcelain Collection) at the Zwinger Palace boasts of an exhibit featuring Japanese- and Chinese-inspired porcelain ware that was formerly owned by nobleman Augustus the Strong. The delicate beauty of the vases and teapots on full display here complements the majesty of the Baroque building that houses these precious collections.
7. Dresden Frauenkirche
The original 18th century Baroque architectural masterpiece was destroyed by aerial bombing during World War II in the 1940s. With its ruins left as a monument to the horrors of war, the church was eventually reconstructed starting 1994. This was the time when East Germany was fully freed from Communist rule and reunited with democratic West Germany. After a few years of advanced and arduous restoration work, the place of worship was eventually reconsecrated in the mid 2000s. Since then, the Frauenkirche has served as a peaceful refuge for both the spirit and the intellect. Aside from religious services, which are in English once a month, the church has also featured talks about global peace issues from Nobel Prize laureates all over the world. There is also a museum within the church complex that chronicles the mammoth reconstruction effort which resurrected the church back to life.
8. Pillnitz Castle
Pillnitz Castle, located in Pillnitz, is a well known park that features not one, not event two, but three beautiful castles. Visitors could unwind and relax as they admire the Baroque and Oriental architecture the castles offer. The castles are also situated on a vast garden where guests could do various outdoor activities such as yoga or walking.
9. Royal Palace
One of the oldest buildings in Dresden, the Royal Palace or the Dresden Castle (as it is commonly referred to) now serves as a museum complex. Comprised of five museum sections, the Castle features everything from Baroque to Neo-renaissance styles of architecture.
10. Dresden Castle
For almost 400 years, the castle bore witness to the rise and fall of Saxony's kings and princes. Now that these rulers have moved on, museums have taken their place. These cultural attractions are as magnificent as they are diverse. The artsy crowd will definitely want to visit the Dresden State Art Collection. Here, prints, drawings, and photographs are on display for anyone with an artistic penchant. If money is more your speed, then the Dresden Münzkabinett is just what the doctor ordered. Here, you can find coin collections dating back to ancient times. For those interested in military stuff, the Giant Hall of the Armory is the place to be. This place features swords and armor that were in fashion when knights on horseback ruled Europe's battlefields. Early models of firearms, which some knights considered as cowardly weapons, are also on display.
11. Semperoper
Semperoper in Dresden is where regular performances of Saxon state orchestra and Semperoper ballet are done. It was built in 1841 and considered to be one of Dresden top tourist attractions as it performances are continuously shown for 170 years. Visitors who would love to watch a world class performance should visit the opera house.
12. Albertinum
The Albertinum is the museum of modern art in Dresden contains art from the romantic period to the present. It is a journey from 200 years to the modern days through the history of paintings and sculptures. Most of the famous paintings displayed here range from Caspar David Friedrich to Ludwig Richter and sculptures by Auguste Rodin.
13. Dresden Transport Museum
Located at Johanneum at the Neumarkt in Dresden which is one of the oldest museum buildings in Dresden, Dresden Transport Museum showcases all the modes of transport from the road, railway, water to air. Museum has original vehicles as well as replicas from a bicycle or a cart to an airplane.
14. Yenidze
Yenidze, located in Dresden, is a former cigarette factory known for its exterior design. It features a unique Moorish Revival architecture for it borrows elements from mosque. Visitors would surely be captivated by the building's unique and extraordinary design.