Dresden Hotels

General Information

Dresden's status as a foremost victim of World War II will likely endure forever. The physical devastation of the fight with Germany was no more viciously felt than in the capital of the Free State of Saxony. The vivid prose of Kurt Vonnegut, himself a witness to waves of British and U.S. air strikes on the city as a POW, brought the destruction to light in the landmark novel Slaughterhouse-Five.

History however, may yet chronicle Dresden's rise from the ashes with more verve. Thanks to a thorough spit and polish job in time for the city's 800th birthday celebration, the remarkable restoration of Dresden is now complete.

Dresden History

• Royal Palace (Residenzschloss) – Begun in the 13th century, this palace is a fascinating walk through history.
• Procession of Princes – What began as a mural scratched into a wall, this mural that depicts the Saxon kings somehow survived the bombing of Dresden in World War II.
• Transport Museum (Verkehrsmuseum) – A museum of transportation that includes interactive displays.
• Dresden City Museum (Stadtmuseum Dresden) – This museum contains the whole of Dresden history.
• Carl-Maria-von-Weber Museum – Commemorates the life of the composer and displays of his life and times.

Dresden Art & Culture

• Semper Opera House – Enjoy opera, ballet or jazz performances, or just come to see the amazing architecture.
• Zwinger – Baroque architecture housing a number of collections, including porcelain and coins.
• Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister – This gallery is most famous for Rafael's Sistine Madonna but also displays works by many of the old masters.
• Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (Dresden Art Galleries) – Be sure to see the Japanese Palace.
• Albertinum – The art gallery is filled with jewellery and sculpture.

Dresden Shopping

• Dresdener Antiquariat – A used bookstore with an English-speaking staff and a wide selection.
• Quartier an der Frauenkirche – A charming collection of specialty shops with restaurants in which you can relax and have a meal.
• Haus des Buches –The House of Books bookstore carries just about any book or magazine you can imagine.
• Comondas – The place for chocolate lovers. A chocolate shop with an abundant selection.
• Baum & Wolle – A clothing store that features natural fibres and beautiful colours.

Attractions

• The “Florence of the North” is a foremost axis of Baroque architecture. As a result, Dresden is home to majestic palaces and cathedrals, many of which represent other period design aesthetics.
• Dresden Castle has been a city landmark for over half a millennium, with Romanesque and Baroque upgrades.
• The Zwinger Palace was a blatant effort by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, to mimic Louis XIV in Versailles. Built between 1710 and 1728, the complex now features the fabulous Old Masters Picture Gallery.
• The Lutheran Church of Our Lady is a beautiful and vital Dusseldorf symbol. The original construction was Baroque, with completion in 1743.
• Katholische Hofkirche is the major Roman Catholic Cathedral in Dusseldorf. A victim of World War II bombs, the church was rebuilt by the East German government. Among other attractions of note, the cathedral contains the heart of Augustus the Strong.
• The Semperoper is one of the most famous concert halls in the world. The Renaissance and Baroque opera house has a picturesque location in Theatre Square on the shore of the river Elbe. Various monuments to historic artists such as Shakespeare, Molière and Sophocles make the Semperoper an extraordinary Dusseldorf attraction.

Events

Climate

Dresden has four distinct seasons, with cold winters and mild summers. The months of June, July and August see the most rainfall.

• Winter (November to February) -3-6°C
• Spring (March to April) 0-11°C
• Summer (May to August) 8-22°C
• Fall (September to October) 6-18°C

Dresden - General information
Dresden official guide