Dresden : A Stunning City in Germany with a Rich and Regal History

The city of Dresden is the capital of the Free State of Saxony, a landlocked federal state of Germany. After Leipzig, Dresden the second largest city in the state. The city is rich in history since it was the royal residence of the Kings and Electors of Saxony. Because of such history, Dresden is surely filled with stunning attractions which are worth sightseeing. On this article, we are going to identify ten of the best sightseeing destinations in Dresden.

1. Gemaldeglerie Alte Meister

Our first sightseeing destination in Dresden is the Gemaldeglerie Alte Meister, or known in English as the Old Master Gallery. It exhibits approximately 750 different paintings that have been done around the 15th to the 18th centuries. It includes major Flemish and Dutch paintings as well as Italian Renaissance masterpieces. The Baroque and Renaissance works have been painted by notable painters such as Raphael, Giorgione, Tintoretto, and Guercino, among others. The Dutch and Flemish paintings, on the other hand, have been done with painters such as Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Vermeer, among others.

2. Green Vault

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The Green Vault, known locally as the Grünes Gewölbe, is a distinct historic museum in Dresden which comprises the most extensive collection of treasures in Europe. It was established in 1723 by Augustus the Strong. The Grünes Gewölbe is recognized as one of the oldest museums in the world. At present, it features a variety of displays which were taken from the Baroque period to the Classical period. It currently comprises of nine rooms and an entrance chamber. These rooms include the Silbervergoldete Zimmer, the Weißsilberzimmer, the Bernsteinkabinett, and the Raum der Renaissancebronzen.

3. Zwinger

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Another sightseeing destination that you should visit in Dresden is the Zwinger. Designed by Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann, this palace that has been built in Baroque style. It served as an exhibition gallery, a festival arena, and an orangery of the Dresden Court. When sightseeing around Zwinger, you will be amazed to discover its stunning architecture and its remarkable history. Today, this palace is a museum complex which contains the Dresden Porcelain Collection, the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments, and the Old Masters Picture Gallery.

4. Frauenkirche

The Dresden Frauenkirche, also known as the Church of Our Lady, is a Lutheran church in Dresden that is noted for being an excellent example of a Protestant sacred architecture for its large and prominent dome, one of the largest in Europe. At present, this church serves as a symbol of reconciliation among the former enemies. Since its reopening, the Frauenkirche has been receiving a flock of tourists. In its first three years alone, it has already been visited by more than seven million locals, worshippers, and sightseeing tourists.

5. Semper Opera House

The Semper Opera House, or the Semperoper, is the opera house of the Saxon State Opera (Sächsische Staatsoper Dresden) and the concert hall of the Saxon State Orchestra (Staatskapelle Dresden). It is also where the Semperoper Ballet is housed. It could be found near the Elbe River. It was initially built in 1841 by Gottfried Semper. It was then reconstructed in 1878 after a fire in 1869. When you visit this sightseeing destination, you will get to enjoy different classical performances including operas and orchestra concerts.

6. Panometer Dresden

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The Panometer Dresden is a sightseeing destination in Dresden that displays one of the two panoramic paintings of Yadegar Asisi, an Austrian- born artist. The painting could be found inside a former gasometer. This panorama entitled, "Baroque Dresden," depicts the historic city of Dresden as it appeared in 1756. The other panorama entitled, "Dresden 1945," illustrated Dresden as it was during World War II. The two panoramas each take a turn in being presented on this panometer. It was Asisi who coined to term Pantometer which is a portmanteau of panorama and gasometer.

7. Canaletto Blick

Photo by Christian Heindel

The Canaletto Blick is another stunning destination that you should visit when you are sightseeing in Germany. It is named after Barnardo Canaletto who supposedly stood on this place to paint his panoramic view of the city of Dresden. It provides the best views of the city and the river which flows quietly near the city. When you are at the Canaletto Blick, it would really be irresistible to take several photographs and just marvel at the beauty of the scene that flashes before you.

8. Bruehl's Terrace

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The Bruehl's Terrace, known in German as Brühlsche Terrasse, is an architectural ensemble in the city of Dresden that is rich in history. It stretches high above the shore of the river Elbe. It has been nicknamed as the Balcony of Europe due to its scenic views of Dresden. When sightseeing at the Brühlsche Terrasse, you will be able to see several historically significant structures and works of art in Dresden such as the Rietschelmonument by Johannes Schilling, Sächsisches Ständehaus by Paul Wallot, Monument for Johann Friedrich Böttger, and Staircase by Gottlob Friedrich Thormeyer, among others.

9. Palais Grosser Gartens

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The Palais Grosser Gartens, known in English as the Palace in the Great Garden, is a Baroque pleasure palace that could be found in the city of Dresden, specifically on a large green spot at the edge of the capital of Dresden. Built after the Thirty Years' War, this palace is considered as a significant secular building in Saxony. At present, it could be used for exhibitions, however at limited extent. From the outside, however, you will be able to see its stunning architectural style with a classic Baroque influence.

10. Royal Palace

Our last sightseeing destination in Dresden is the Royal Palace or the Dresden Castle, known in German as the Dresdner Residenzschloss or Dresdner Schloss). The Royal Palace is recognized as one of the oldest structures in the city of Dresden since it was first constructed in 1533. Today, it serves a museum complex which contains stunning sightseeing attractions such as the Collection of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs (Kupferstich-Kabinett), The Numismatic Cabinet, and the Dresden Armory. It is also the home of the Dresden State Art Collections, an art library in Dresden.

◎ Closing

Having a long history under its helm, it cannot be denied how rich Dresden is in terms of its sightseeing destinations. The next time you visit Dresden, you should experience all these sightseeing attractions so that you could have a fun Dresden excursion.

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