Its name comes from Sorbian Drježdźany (current Upper Sorbian form), meaning "people of the forest", from Proto-Slavic *dręzga ("woods, blowdowns"). Dresden later evolved into the capital of Saxony.
It is famed for its stunning architecture. It is the capital of the state of Saxony, itself once an independent kingdom. Before German reunification, it was part of East Germany. Dresden is also only a stone's throw away from the Czech Republic border, making it an excellent destination for exploring both countries.
Dresden will always be remembered for its destruction in World War II by Allied firebombing. But its Frauenkirche, rebuilt after the war, symbolizes the rebirth of Dresden — today a lively city with fantastic museums and a bustling riverfront promenade.
Despite being devastated in the Second World War, the Altstadt (Old Town) has kept or regained its attractive buildings. The most well-known symbol of the rebuilding of the city centre is Dresden Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), the magnificent domed Baroque church which again dominates the Dresden skyline.
German is the official language spoken in Dresden. Hotel and restaurant staff in Dresden likely speak enough that you can communicate your order or check into your hotel, but it`s always polite to at least try the local language.
Dresden: 6 Reasons for Visiting the Fascinating Baroque City
Are Brits welcome in Dresden?
The bombing was hugely controversial at the time and since, and for many years, British people visiting Dresden encountered hostility. Yet today they are welcomed there warmly.
A mineral contained in sandstone typical of North-Eastern Europe, in fact, oxidizes over time in contact with air, and although recently built, the buildings in Dresden have already taken on the typical black colour.
Dresden often goes by the nickname “Florence on the Elbe”. When you cross the Elbe River from the “Neustadt“ district into the historic city centre, you are sure to be impressed by the unique panorama.
Dresden's beauty is undisputed – and unmistakable! It reveals itself to visitors at first glance and is characterised by an irresistible combination of romantic landscape, baroque architecture and one of the most beautiful historic city centres in Germany.
Generally, Dresden has a fairly stable safety environment despite being a big city. Petty crimes such as pickpocketing and purse snatching do occur, but they often target high-tourist areas and crowded places. Always maintain an awareness of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings.
Up to 25,000 people were killed. Three more USAAF air raids followed, two occurring on 2 March aimed at the city's railway marshalling yard and one smaller raid on 17 April aimed at industrial areas. Dresden viewed from the Rathaus (city hall) in 1945, showing destruction.
Dresden is the birthplace of milk chocolate, invented in 1839 by the local company "Jordan & Timaeus". They produced the first chocolate made with donkey milk.
The black bricks you see on the buildings are weathered by years (and years) of exposure; sandstone 'age' over the years and naturally blacken, contrary to popular believe that the soot is caused by dirt and pollution. Today, Dresden is once again the beautiful city it once was!
Nestled along the Elbe River lies Dresden, commonly referred to as the “Jewel Box” because of its baroque and rococo city center. The German city coherently fuses its poignant past to a vivid present with historical monuments, architecture and museums.
Dresden is considered a safe city. Anyway, security in public spaces and police work is different in every country. Therefore we collected a few useful hints for you to keep in mind when dealing with an case of emergency. Download here an information leaflet of the police about your rights in criminal proceedings.
Dresden is one of the state capital in Germany which have low cost of living mainly due to its low industrialisation and due to presence of high academic people and institutes.
As we open this story, Harry Dresden is no longer dead. He was, sort of, and had all kinds of grand fun as a ghost, but now he's alive and it's time for him to start paying off the debts that he incurred in the process of dying.
Situated on the Regnitz River, Bamberg is one of the rare German cities completely untouched by Allied bombing in World War II. As a result, the ancient buildings and streets give as clear a picture as anywhere in the country of the history and traditions of Germany and more specifically, Franconia.
Only one of Germany's Bundesländer (federal states), the Saarland has a Catholic absolute majority: Catholicism is also the largest religious group in Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg.
Nowadays, Protestants are concentrated in northern and central Germany, while Catholics are predominant in the south and west, while unaffiliated people are concentrated in the east, where they make up the majority of the population, and are significant in the north and west of the country, mainly in metropolitan areas ...
Dresden's historic city center has been rebuilt, largely after the fall of the Berlin Wall and mainly due to the financial support coming from western German states that were and still are obliged to transfer money to the east of the country. A variety of buildings were constructed in a modern way.
