 |
Dresden
City Guide
|
|
Desden City Guide
Dresden is the capital city of the German Federal Free State of Saxony. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe. Dresden has a long history as the capital of Saxony. The bombing of Dresden in World War II and 40 years within the Soviet bloc state of East Germany changed the face of the city dramatically.
Since German re-unification, Dresden has emerged as a cultural, political, and economic centre in the eastern part of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Practical Information:
-
Official name: Dresden.
-
Language: German.
-
Spoken Languages: In Dresden live Vietnamese, Turkish, Cubans, Americans and other nationals. You will find mostly English as a second language, especially amongst students. Most of the population of Dresden speak a second language - they are just afraid to use it!
-
Religion: Most of the population in Dresden declare no religion. 15% are Protestant and 4% are Roman-Catholic.
-
Visa: citizens of European Union don't need a visa.
-
Currency : Euro.
Dresden Sights And Museums
The Dresden castle: It was once the home of the royal household. Its wings have been renewed, overbuilt and restored many times. Due to this segued integration of styles, the castle is made up of elements of the Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism and Historism.
The Zwinger Palace. It was built on the old stronghold of the city and was converted to a centre for the royal art collections and as a place to hold festivals. Its gate (with a golden crown on top) with the moat is a very famous part of the building.
The Dresden Elbe Valley is a World Heritage Site in Dresden, Germany. The valley, spreading some 20 kilometres through the city of Dresden, is one of the both cultural landscapes along the central-european river Elbe. Famous parts of the Elbe Valley are:
Pillnitz with its castle and old village as well as the village of Loschwitz, technical building like the bridge Blue Wonder, the Standseilbahn Dresden or the Schwebebahn Dresden and the historic center with the famous buildings of Brühl's Terrace, Semperoper and Katholische Hofkirche (Roman Catholic Church of the former court).
Katholische Hofkirche is a Roman Catholic Church, the largest church in Saxony, located in the 'Altstadt' in the heart of Dresden. It was badly damaged during World War II and was reconstructed during the mid-1980s under the GDR regime.
The Dresdner Frauenkirche ("Church of Our Lady") is a Lutheran church.It was destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden during World War II and has been reconstructed as a landmark symbol of reconciliation between former warring enemies. The reconstruction of its exterior was completed in 2004, its interior in 2005 and after 13 years of rebuilding, the church was reconsecrated on 30 October 2005 with festive services lasting through the Protestant observance of Reformation Day on 31 October.
Dresden Entertainment
January: SachsenKrad Motorbike Fair.
February: Operetta Ball.
March: International Dresden City Race.
April: Filmfest - International Festival for animation and short films.
May: Dresden Music Festival.
Juny: Elbhangfest - Riverside Festival.
July: International Tour of Saxony.
August: Moritzburg Festival.
September: Radebeul Autumn and Wine Festival.
October: Dresden Festival of Contemporary Music.
November: Kunstmarkt Dresden - art fair.
December: Dresdner Striezelmarkt - the oldest Christmas market in Germany.
Dresden Transports
The City of Dresden possesses ideal connections by rail, road, river and air both with its immediate surroundings but also with more distant destinations.
To get there by plane, Dresden Klotzsche Airport is the international airport of Dresden, located at the north-western outskirts of the town in the district of Klotzsche.
Dresden has a large tramway network that is operated by the Dresden Transport Authority. Because the geological bedrock does not allow the building of underground railways, the tramway is very important in public transport in Dresden. On the major routes through the inner city, some vehicles run every two minutes.
|
|
