- Tourist Information
- Map
- What is Dresden famous for?
- Frauenkirche
- Zwinger Palace
- Schloss und Grünes Gewölbe
- Stallhof and Procession of Princes
- Elbe Valley
- SemperOper
- Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
- Brühl’s Terrace
- What legends does the city of Dresden have?
- Legend of the Frauenkirche Cathedral
- The Legend of the Dresden Christmas Bread
Tourist Information
| Type | City |
| Year | 1206 |
| What to buy | Artisan local chocolates, coffee, handmade ornaments, decorations, porcelain tableware, porcelain artwork, and porcelain figurines Bonus: Go for a visit and shop at The Most Beautiful Dairy in the World: Molkerei Pfund (Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. − 6 p.m., Sunday and Holiday 10 a.m. − 3 p.m.) |
| Getting there | Airport: Dresden Airport (DRS) |
| Location | Dresden, Germany, Europe |
Map
What is Dresden famous for?
Dresden is the capital of the German state of Saxony and is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and cultural significance. Located along the banks of the Elbe River, the city played a pivotal role in German history, serving as the capital of the Kingdom of Saxony and later as an important cultural and industrial center.
The city is famous for its beautifully restored historic center, which boasts a mix of architectural styles from Baroque to Renaissance.
Dresden’s rich cultural scene extends to its museums and galleries, including the Albertinum, Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (Painting Gallery of the Old Masters), and the Green Vault, which houses an extensive collection of treasures, jewelry, and art artifacts.
The Elbe River adds to Dresden’s charm, providing a picturesque backdrop for leisurely walks along its banks and boat cruises that offer unique perspectives on the city’s landmarks.
Dresden is also famous for its Christmas markets, which attract visitors from all over the world with their festive atmosphere, handmade gifts, and traditional German treats.
Frauenkirche
- The original Church of Our Lady was completely destroyed during World War II and it has been reconstructed. The City of Coventry donated the Golden Cross for the dome of the church.
- Check out the ruins in the basement. Do not miss the tower visit and bring good shoes to climb in (otherwise, you will not be admitted!)
- Visiting Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM. Sometimes there is a closed hour mid-afternoon (12) Saturday: 9 AM – 3 PM. The basement same hours as the open church. Entry is free.
- Dome ticket price: 8 Euro
Zwinger Palace
- The baroque palace features a nymphaeum, many sculptures of Permoser, a bell pavilion, and famous art collections. Do not miss the “Alte Meister” – you’ll find the famous Madonna Sistina of Rafael and well-known angels. There is also a very nice museum on the arms of Saxon kings (“Rüstkammer”).
Must see:
- Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (Old Masters Picture Gallery)
- Porzellansammlung (Porcelain Collection)
- Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon (Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments)
Schloss und Grünes Gewölbe
The Green Vault is Europe’s most beautiful treasure chamber museum.
You can see the biggest green diamond and the court of Aurangzeb and its precious crown jewels.
Important: it is actually two museums, each requiring a separate ticket:
- The Historic Green Vault (Historisches Grünes Gewölbe) is famous for its splendors of the historic treasure chamber
- New Green Vault (Neues Grünes Gewölbe) focuses the attention on each individual object in neutral rooms.
Visiting hours:
- Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 11 AM–5 PM
- Friday 11 AM–8 PM
- Tuesday – Closed
Do not miss: The carved cherry pit at Grünes Gewölbe – Dresden
Stallhof and Procession of Princes
The Wall of the Procession of the Princes is a 101-meter-long wall with a height of 10 m covered with pieces of porcelain representing the history of the royal Wettins dynasty, the ruling family of Saxony.
The fresco shows a procession of members of the House of Wettin, starting with Conrad I of Wettin, who was the first margrave of Meissen and founder of the dynasty in the 10th century, and ending with Frederick Augustus III, the last king of Saxony in the 10th century the nineteenth.
Elbe Valley
This used to be on the UNESCO World Heritage List until the government decided to build a four-lane highway Waldschlösschen Bridge through the heart of it. So now it is known as “one of only two un-UNESCO’d sites in the world” but still a tourist attraction.
SemperOper
One of the most beautiful opera houses in the world. Many operas of Wagner and Strauss had their premiere here.
Make sure to book tickets in advance.
English tours at 3 pm
German tours throughout the day.
Some last-minute tickets are available from the box office shortly before the performance starts. Seats that do not have a good view are very cheap, and you can sit on benches behind the seats, right at the top of the auditorium, for free.
Tours: 8 Euro, Photo Fee: 2 Euro
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
Dresden Cathedral, or the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Dresden, previously the Catholic Church of the Royal Court of Saxony, called in German Katholische Hofkirche and since 1980 also known as Kathedrale Sanctissimae Trinitatis, is the Catholic Cathedral of Dresden.
It is one of the burial sites of the House of Wettin, including Polish monarchs.
Visiting Hours:
- Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM, Sunday 12 PM – 5 PM
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Friday: 1 PM – 5 PM
Brühl’s Terrace
Brühlsche Terrasse stretches above the shore of the river, hence the incredible views it offers. It is called “The Balcony of Europe”.
What legends does the city of Dresden have?
Legend of the Frauenkirche Cathedral
One of the most famous legends in Dresden is the legend of the Frauenkirche Cathedral. It is said that when the architect George Bähr designed the cathedral, he requested financial support from the devil. The devil agreed to help on the condition that there would be a place for him in the cathedral. The architect agreed but managed to trick the devil by arranging for one of the interior columns to block the view of this place. Thus, the devil is said to have become enraged and left. This story reflects people’s desire to face and defeat evil forces.
The Legend of the Dresden Christmas Bread
Another popular story concerns the Dresden Christmas Bread, also known as “Christstollen”. It is said that in the year 1474, King Ernest of Saxony was granted the right to add more expensive ingredients such as nuts and dried fruit to Christmas cakes. This act earned him a sign of Jesus Christ on the loaf, which symbolizes the development of the tradition of making special bread for Christmas.
