Dresden is a graceful and beautiful city to simply enjoy its many attractions. The palaces stand out, the gardens flourish and the dome of the Frauenkirche, magnificently restored, stands out above the horizon, it is not for nothing that many call it the “Jewel box”. With its wealth of museums, palaces, and other tourist attractions, there are many interesting programs to do in Dresden.

Dresden suffered the double blow of almost complete destruction in World War II, followed by 45 years of postwar neglect under the Soviet regime. It is hard to believe all of this from Dresden that you can see today. She has risen from her ashes and has few scars from her trauma of the late 20th century.

Frauenkirche

Completed in 1743, the spectacular Church of Our Lady in Dresden was considered one of the most beautiful churches in Europe. The magnificent reconstruction carried out is one of the most notable restoration projects ever carried out in Germany, if not in the world.

After its destruction during the Allied bombing in 1945, the ruins of the old building were cataloged and stored for use in its reconstruction. After the reunification of Germany in 1990, the reconstruction plan was quickly implemented, including almost 4,000 original stones, and reopened in 2005.

At the top of the church, we find a beautiful symbol of benevolence, a golden cross provided by Britain, whose bomb had caused much of the devastation in the city. The cross, which was previously at the top of the dome, now twisted and charred after the bombing, is to the right of the new altar, representing and remembering the episode of overcoming lived by the people of Dresden.

Dresden Royal Palace

Another point that the traveler cannot miss in Dresden is certainly the Royal Palace in Dresden.

The royal seat and cultural center of the Saxon capital, the Dresden Royal Palace has almost 800 years of history. In it, we find the Dresden State Art Collection, which is a complex that houses different exhibitions. This complex is one of the most modern and perspective in terms of showing and interpreting its treasures to the visitor, in addition to being one of the richest public museums and one of the oldest in Europe.

In the complex, there are several exhibitions, such as Green Vault, the Turkish Chamber, the Giants’ Hall that houses Arsenal among others.

Zwinger

The Zwinger is a magnificent palace from the early 18th century, in the city center, next to the Elbe, and a great example of Baroque architecture in Germany. A walk through its exterior is already worth the visit, to appreciate this detailed architecture. A highlight at Zwinger is the Nymphenbad (Bath of the Nymphs), with its graceful fountains and mythological figures.

In addition to its beauty, which is already an attraction in itself, the Zwinger houses other art collections from the state of Dresden (as well as the Royal Palace). This includes the Dresden porcelain collection, scientific instruments at the Royal Office of Mathematical and Physical Instruments, and the Image Gallery of the Ancient Masters.

The Georgentor

The Georgentor, or Georgenbau, was the city’s original exit to the Elbe Bridge and the first of many Renaissance buildings in the city. On the side, there is a door to the original building with its rich sculptural decoration, including a magnificent equestrian statue of Duke George.

Fürstenzug

Next to Georgentor, we find the famous Fürstenzug, the Procession of Princes. The mural depicts all the rulers of Saxony from 1123 to 1904. It is the largest porcelain wall in the world, representing a parade of Saxon princes, kings, and dukes, made to commemorate the 1000 years of a long reign of the Wettin dynasty. Commissioned in 1870, this incredible work consists of 25,000 Meissen porcelain tiles.

Guided tours in Dresden can also be carried out from Berlin. For those who like to appreciate beautiful architectural works, this is certainly a very special tour, because despite the destruction experienced, Dresden today is a German jewelry box.