Dresden > Dresden Attractions

Advantages: Amazing architecture
Disadvantages: Sadly unfinished

The Frauenkirche in Dresden first came to my attention when I was spending a year abroad in Germany. I was visiting Dresden for a couple of days so I had read up about the history and the sights. I was amazed by how impressive and unique the Frauenkirche was to visit. Dresden's Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) was built between 1726- 1738. It was until the events of 13th February 1945, Germany's largest and most known Protestant Church. As we ...
...the Allied bombing raids, which had little influence on the course of the war and only really succeeded in destroying architectural wonders and refugees who had nothing to do with the war. Under Communist rule the DDR decided to leave the ruined site as a war memorial and it was only after reunification that a movement for its restoration began. A huge archaelogical dig through the ruins began in 1992 and attempts were made to reassemble the world's ... Read review

Advantages: Europe's richest treasure chambers
Disadvantages: an overkill of splendour

...sgruenesgewoelbe.html and also: http://www.skd-dresden.de/en/museen/gruenesgewoelbe/ neuesgruen esgewoelbe.html -- Grünes Gewölbe Residenzschloss Taschenberg 2 01067 Dresden 10am -6 pm, closed on Tuesdays New Green Vault 6 € / concession 3,50 € / families 13 € Historic Green Vault 10 € (audio-guide inclusive), no concession ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful
Disadvantages: Difficult to get to

Meissen is a town, which is about an hours train ride from Dresden. It is extremely beautiful, situated in a bend of the Elbe River. It's distinguishing feature is the huge castle and cathedral complex that sit on the hill overlooking the town. Many people may recognise the name Meissen as that of a porcelain manufacturer. This is in fact the actual town where all Meissen porcelain is manufactured and you can even tour the factory. The porcelain ...
...the Strong, the then ruler of Saxony. The factory tour is inexpensive, I think it was about 5 Euros normal and about 3 Euros concessions. The tour is extremely informative and gives a bit of the history of Meissen and not just porcelain. I'm sure children would also enjoy it as you get to see the workers and machines close up. The castle and cathedral are also open to the public and are only really made above average by where they are situated, ... Read review

Advantages: Great architecture
Disadvantages: Only great architecture

Yenidze is clearly visible to anyone travelling into Dresden main train station. You can see the big onion domed building a long time before you pull up alongside it. Yenidze was once a tobacco factory and has now been converted into a shopping centre. Yenidze was an attempt to give the tobacco, also named Yenidze and now no longer in existence, an Oriental image. The Yenidze factory was modelled to look like a mosque from the outside and has a ...
...from the Arabian Nights. Yenidze is about 5 minutes walk from Dresden-Neustadt train station. Most trains go through here on the way to the main station and S-Bahns stop here every ten minutes, so accessibilty is not a problem. However you will probably not need to bother visiting once you have seen the exterior. The interior of Yenidze is occupied by a mixture of bars, restaurants and shops. It has tried to market itself as an entertainment centre, ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic
Disadvantages: A bit expensive

The Zwinger in Dresden is another masterpiece of the Baroque Period. It resembles a mini Versailles and like the Frauenkirche had to be restored after the bombing raid on Dresden. The fantastic fountain studded courtyard can be reached via a bridge across the moat. The Zwinger was created as a place to hold royal tournaments and festivals, but now holds five wonderful museums. These include the Old Masters Gallery, including work by Raphael. The ...
...the 16th Century. The Zwinger is a great place to end a tour of Dresden and is inspiring to see how much time and effort has been put into restoring such a masterpiece. Not only was the Zwinger destroyed by the Allies in 1945, but the floods of 2002/2003 reached the Zwinger causing almost £1,000,000 of additional damage. However, this was quickly restored and the Zwinger is a spectatcular place to view the collections of the Saxon Royal Family or ... Read review