Dresden

Dresden is the state capital of Saxony. The city is home to about 5,000,000 inhabitants.
A visit to Dresden with a stroll through the Zwinger or along the Elbe is really worthwhile. The Dresden Christmas market is particularly beautiful.

Christmas market in Dresden – Striezelmarkt

Dresden
Christmas market in Dresden – Striezelmarkt

Every year around the end of November the oldest Christmas market in Germany opens its gates; the Striezelmarkt in Dresden. We went on an excursion to this traditional Christmas market in Dresden.

The Striezelmarkt was opened for the first time in 1434. The name developed from the Middle High German words “Struzel” or “Striezel” which mean stollen. And there are many stollen to be had on this Christmas market. Every year on Saturday before the 2nd Advent an enormously large stollen gets cut into on the market square.

The long history and its many traditions that are still alive today make this Christmas market truly special. Many of the sellers offer traditional art and crafts like smokers (traditional German incense burners), angel figurines, Christmas pyramids and candle arches. But also wooden toys and glassblowing pieces can be bought here.

Certainly, needs for food and drinks are also met. Mulled wine, stollen and spice bread share the market with many other sweet and savoury foods.

Especially the stepped pyramid from the Erzgebirge is well worth watching. Being 14.62 meters in height it is visible from afar. The largest walk-in candle arch from the Erzgebirge measures 5 meters from the ground to the top and rises high over even the tallest visitors.

Striezelmarkt
Christmas market in Dresden – Striezelmarkt
Christmas market in Dresden – Striezelmarkt

But this is not where the Christmas fun ends. There are other markets close by. 
A traditional Christmas market is next to the Frauenkirche. Münzgasse is all lit up and filled with traditional arts and crafts and delicacies. And when the bells of the Frauenkirche start to sound is when the magic of Christmas begins.

On Neumarkt is the romantic Christmas market, inspired by the 1900s. This is where the Christmas festivities are transported back to a time between 1800 and 1920. Only traditional goods from that period are on offer here. Even the stalls are designed after their historic role models. Book printers, gold smiths, bag makers and shoe makers are showing their work. Nativity plays, church choirs and walking choirs can be seen here, too.

Christmas market in Dresden – Striezelmarkt

The many different markets were very pleasant to visit. Especially the design of the stalls was wonderful. We will certainly come back to experience this kind of Christmas magic again.

Travelling to Dresden by bus or train is recommended. Those who are willing to give the delicious mulled wine a miss can also take a car, but bare in mind that the roads are very busy.

Werbung

Dresden – impressions from the metropolis on the Elbe

Dresden
Dresden – impressions from the metropolis on the Elbe

We went for a little stroll through Dresden, a metropolis on the Elbe. We’d like to share our impressions. Especially when it gets dark the scenery becomes fascinating.

The Theaterplatz (Theatre Square) is right where the famous Semperoper is and is surrounded by the Taschenberg Palais, the Hofkirche (Court Chapel) and the castle. On the square in the middle is the equestrian statue of King Johann.
The Opera dominated the arrangement. This remarkable Italian high renaissance building was completed in 1878. Until the end of World War II, it was the most prestigious stage in the city. After elaborate restoration works the building was reopened in 1986. Sadly, tickets for this marvellous opera house are almost always sold out. We shall plan ahead for our next trip to Dresden.

The Hofkirche (Court Chapel) is also on the same square. It measures 4800 m² which makes it the biggest church in Saxony. This impressive church is made of sandstone, has three naves and a partly detached tower that is 85.5 meters high.

Dresden – impressions from the metropolis on the Elbe

Also part of the ensemble is the castle. This is where you find the “Grünes Gewölbe” (Green Vaults). We booked tickets online way ahead of our visit. Tickets are hardly ever available on the same day of the visit. Tickets are issued for a particular time slot and it is recommended to arrive early. Bags, cameras and coats are not allowed in the exhibition rooms - lockers in different sizes are available for safely storing these items. We enjoyed the visit a lot. Jewellery, gold works and valuables made from amber or ivory are displayed next to goblets with gemstones and artistic bronze figurines.

Dresden – impressions from the metropolis on the Elbe

As it slowly got darker we made our way to the Elbe bridges for some memorable impressions.

Dresden – impressions from the metropolis on the Elbe
Werbung

Dresden Frauenkirche

Dresden
Dresden Frauenkirche

Dresden is home to the Frauenkirche (Chruch of Our Lady). The original name “Unserer Lieben Frauen“ (Our beloved ladies) got shortened over the years to become the term that is used today: Frauenkirche.

A monumental Baroque church can be found on Dresden’s Neumarkt, the Frauenkirche. It was designed by Georg Bähr and completed in 1743. This sacral building has an enormous stone dome. Since the architecture of the church is so rich, we would like to recommend the website of the church for more details.

During the aerial attacks of World War II, the church got completely destroyed. The ruins of the church became a monument and a symbol against war and destruction and remained in the city until 1994. Funds from all over the world helped to rebuild the church between 1994 and 2005. On the 30th of October 2005, the re-erected church was inaugurated with a benediction service and is now regarded as a symbol of reconciliation.

Dresden Frauenkirche

The Frauenkirche can be visited today. Our trips to Dresden have always been rather short so that we never had the chance to see the nave. But we always enjoyed the exterior. Due to the façade being relatively new it still looks clean and bright. This gives the observer an idea of how other buildings might have looked like in the past.

Werbung

Golden Horseman on the market square Neustädter Markt

Dresden
Golden Horseman on the market square Neustädter Markt

The Neustädter Markt (Neustädter market) is in the inner New Town of Dresden. It is the intersection of Hauptstraße (Main Road), Augustusbrücke (Augustus Bridge), Köpckestraße and Meißner Straße.

Golden Horseman

Unfortunately, the buildings around that area were destroyed multiple times. Last during the bombing of Dresden in World War II the Neustädter Markt and the surrounding areas were completely destroyed.
Reconstruction works of the inner New Town transformed this area into a pedestrianized zone.

But what makes this square so special? 
It is home to a particularly impressive equestrian statue of King August the Strong. It is a statue created by Ludwig Wiedemann called “Goldener Reiter” (Golden Horseman).
He began working on this piece of art in 1732 and it was inaugurated in 1736. The installation is made of copper and is beat gold-plated. It depicts King August the Strong in Roman armour. 
Fortunately, the statue was dismantled and safely stored during World War II.
It was thanks to that operation that the installation survived the destruction of the war.
The Golden Horseman was erected again for the 750th anniversary of the city of Dresden in 1956.

Werbung

Procession of Princes – Mural in Dresden

Dresden
Procession of Princes - Mural in Dresden

Every time we had visited Dresden I was magically drawn to it - the Procession of Princes. It really is a shame that a piece of art like this is so well hidden in Dresden.

The Procession of the Princes is a wall picture of enormous size that depicts a cavalcade. It can be found on Augustusstreet on the outside of the sable of the Dresden Castle (Residenzschloss).

The mural is 102 meters long and is made of approximately 23000 porcelain tiles from Meißen. It depicts margraves, dukes, electors and kings from the house of Wettin which ruled Saxony from 1127 to 1904.

Procession of Princes - Mural in Dresden
Procession of Princes - Mural in Dresden

Originally, the sgraffito by Wilhelm Walther was commissioned for the 800th anniversary of the house of Wettin (finished in 1876). He tried to depict the faces of important personalities as well as important historic details as accurately as he possibly could. In total, the picture shows 94 people. 35 margraves, dukes, electors and kings of Saxony as well as 59 scientists, artists, craftsmen, soldiers, children and farmers beside the many horses and two greyhounds. Underneath every figure their name and the time of their reign were included in the picture. Unfortunately, the piece of art did not last well in the weather conditions and it was decided to replace broken tiles with specially made new ones during a reconstruction effort. The renewed mural was finished in the summer of 1907.

Procession of Princes - Mural in Dresden

Fortunately, the Procession of the Princes survived the aerial attacks and the heat of the fires of World War II. After minor reconstructions and through cleaning its entire beauty was restored in 1980.

Access to the Procession of the Princes is free.

Werbung

Zwinger Palace Dresden

Dresden
Zwinger Palace Dresden

Right in the heart of Dresden is what might be the most well-known building of the Baroque period – the Zwinger Palace Dresden. It is a must-see for every visitor and it is pretty in every season.

The Zwinger Palace is located near the Elbe in the inner Old Town of Dresden. It is in close proximity to the Semperoper (Opera), the Residenzschloss (Dresden Castle) and the Theaterplatz (Theatre Square).

It got its name from an old word for a part of a fortress between the inner and the outer fortification wall, a common design in the medieval.

Saxonian King August the Strong had it build in the 18th century by an architect called Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann and the sculptor Balthasar Permoser. The Zwinger Palace is one of the most impressive buildings from this period. It was never meant to be an official residence, it was built for mere representation.

 

 

 

 

Zwinger Palace Dresden

A courtyard with big lawns and water features is framed by four rectangular pavilions and two circular pavilions, the Wall Pavilion and the Glockenspiel Pavilion. They are connected by arcades and a gallery.

The main entrance to the complex is through the Kronentor (Crown Gate). Above a richly embellished Attica thrones a bulbous dome. Four eagles carry a replica of the Polish royal crown high up the tower.

The Semperhaus forms the northern edge of the complex. This section wasn’t completed until 1855 and was designed in the Italian High Renaissance style.

Zwinger Palace Dresden

Somewhat hidden away behind the French Pavilion is the Nymphenbad (Nymph Pool), one of the most beautiful Baroque water features. Teardrop shaped embellishments, playful dolphins and nymphs dominate the design.
The Zwinger Palace was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War. Reconstruction took fairly long and first parts of the complex were reopened again in 1960.

Different museums of the National Art Collection are located in the Zwinger Palace today and can be visited by the public.

We came once in Summer and once in December. Sure, it is nicer in summer when everything is lush and green and full of flowers. But also in the darker months, the Zwinger Palace courtyard is immensely impressive. We have not yet been to any of the museums.

Werbung
Google Maps

By loading the map, you agree to Google's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load map

Address:

Sophienstraße,
01067 Dresden
Germany

Opening hours:


Courtyard (April – November) 5.00 – 22.00

Courtyard (December – March) 6.00 – 20.00


Outdoor area open at all times

Museums: learn more about the opening hours here

Admission:


Courtyard, Nymphenbad, outdoor area: free

Museums: learn more about the admission fees here