What to see in Dresden in 1 day on your own – route, photo, description, map

For the magnificence of baroque architecture and picturesque landscapes, the German art critic and writer Johann Gottfried Herder called Dresden “Florence on the Elbe”. Almost completely razed to the ground in February 1945 and resurrected from ruins at the end of the 20th century, today the famous city in eastern Germany generously shares its sights and cultural treasures with guests. About what to see in Dresden in 1 day on your own, our guide will tell you – an indispensable assistant in walking around the magical capital of Saxony.

Zwinger

Theater Square 1

The name of the architectural complex, which is the most famous ensemble of baroque buildings in Germany, is translated as “the area between the inner and outer city fortification ring.” This place is iconic for the capital of Saxony. It is here that exhibits of the most famous museums are presented, the collections of which occupy a worthy place among the Dresden State Art Collections. In addition, the Zwinger regularly hosts musical and theatrical events.

And it all started in 1709. On the occasion of the arrival of the King of Denmark in Dresden, the great elector Augustus the Strong ordered to equip a platz in front of the castle-residence, surrounded by wooden buildings. Two years later, the ruler of Saxony, in love with luxury and Italian architecture, desired to see a complex of luxurious buildings on the site of the parade ground created. The dreams of the monarch were brought to life by the sculptor Balthazar Permoser and the architect Matthaus Daniel Pöppelman.

The Zwinger, which took 21 years to build, is an example of German Baroque with elements of the Italian school and the Viennese imperial style. The courtyard, decorated with fountains and symmetrical flower beds, is framed by the solemn Crown Gates, long passages and graceful pavilions.

Book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel for 2 976 RUB

Gallery of Old Masters

On the left side of the architectural and palace complex, the Dresden Gallery, created in 1722, demonstrates masterpieces of European painting. Its founder was Augustus II the Strong, a connoisseur of art and a passionate collector of old paintings. Initially, the magnificent exposition was exhibited in the premises of the former court stables, and only in 1847 received a permanent residence permit in a separate Zwinger pavilion.

A visit to the Gallery of Old Masters is a real gift for art lovers. The luxurious halls showcase the creations of the geniuses of the French, German, Italian, Spanish and English schools of the 17th-18th centuries, the Flemish Baroque and the Netherlandish Renaissance. Among the famous names: Jan van Eyck, Titian, Albrecht Dürer, Botticelli, Rubens, Rembrandt, Velazquez. The main treasure of the gallery was and remains the “Sistine Madonna” by Raphael Santi.

Porcelain Museum

The founder of a grandiose collection of ceramics, August the Strong, who called his ardent passion for fragile material “porcelain disease”, by 1721 became the owner of 23,000 items made by masters of China, Japan and the Saxon Meissen. Today, a magnificent porcelain sculpture of the elector – an exact copy of the Golden Horseman monument – opens the entrance to the museum.

The Zwinger is rightfully proud of the world‘s largest collection of over 20,000 unique pieces of porcelain. In the spacious, bright halls, objects from China (including masterpieces by authors of the Kangxi era), priceless Japanese vases created in 1700 in the Imari style, and an amazing collection of skillfully made figurines of animals and birds are presented to the audience. And of course, the Porcelain Museum proudly presents the works of the masters of the famous Meissen factory.

Physics and Mathematics Salon

Founded in 1728, the Physico-Mathematical Salon is a unique museum of clocks, optical, geodetic devices and tools that inquisitive minds of the 16th-19th centuries used to measure distance, volume, weight and temperature. The origin of the collection dates back to the Dresden Kunstkamera and the astronomical observatory that appeared in the Zwinger in the 18th century.

At present, you can get acquainted with amazing fire glasses, clockwork, terrestrial and celestial globes, music boxes, telescopes and the only astronomical clock in the world created in the form of an orbit. The Zwinger museums are open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Day off is Monday. The cost of viewing all collections is 12 € (full) and 9 € (preferential).

Fountain “Bathing Nymphs”

Fountains are everywhere in the Zwinger. Four twins decorate the courtyard of the architectural ensemble, murmuring streams decorate galleries, niches and the Pavilion on the shaft. Among all this refreshing and sparkling splendor in the rays of the sun, the baroque fountain “Bathing of the Nymphs” stands out for its magnificent decoration and grandiose dimensions. And although the incomparable composition is hidden behind the walls of the complex, it invariably attracts the attention of Dresden guests.

The German art critic Fritz Löffler called the Bathing of the Nymphs “an architectural hall that serves as the ceiling of heaven.” Balthazar Permoser and Matthaus Pöppelman created a cascade composition of extraordinary beauty and grandeur. The pool is surrounded by relief walls topped with a balustrade and figures of tritons, satyrs and coquettish beauties. The play of water and light is watched by marble nymphs hidden in niches, guarded by a vigilant faun.

Semper Opera

Theater Square 2

One of the oldest German opera houses dates back to 1841. The building, which was destined to become the cradle of Saxon culture, was designed by the architect Gottfried Semper. The creation of the great architect was twice destroyed by fire: during a fire in 1869 and as a result of an air raid in 1945.

Renovated and opened in 1985, the theater with an auditorium designed for 1,200 seats today captivates connoisseurs with impeccable acoustic qualities and brilliant technical equipment of the stage. The modern repertoire of the Dresden Temple of Melpomene includes classical works and world premieres. It is impossible to list all the productions within the framework of one guidebook, and it is not necessary.

Suffice it to mention such masterpieces as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Othello, The Magic Flute, Faust, Lohengrin. Worthy of admiration are the concerts of the State Chapel of Saxony, which has chosen the Semper Opera House as its official residence. For those who could not become the owner of the coveted ticket, the administration of the Semper Opera provides the opportunity to take part in a 45-minute excursion tour that introduces the magnificent backstage. The price is 11 €.

Hofkirche Cathedral

Schlossstrasse 24

In 1697 Elector Friedrich August I, who was to become King of Poland, converted to the Catholic faith. The example of the ruler was followed by his son – Augustus II. It was he who came up with the idea to build the first Catholic church in the Lutheran Saxon capital. The three-nave baroque basilica, which became the court church (Hofkirche), opened its doors to parishioners in 1754. Two centuries later, on the night of February 14, 1945, there was no stone left unturned from the grandiose building.

Today, the revived Cathedral again welcomes the guests of “Florence on the Elbe” in all its grandeur. The only reminders of the tragedy of 1945 are the black stones of the façade, which were left over from the old temple that was destroyed in the fire. Three-meter figures of apostles and saints adorn the balustrade and niches of the church, whose imposing tower reaches 85 meters into the sky.

Inside is a realm of light, ornate stucco, white marble and gilding. Above the main altar is a painting by the Saxon artist Anton Mengs. The monumental canvas, 10 m high and 4.5 m wide, depicts the Ascension of Jesus. In the vaulted crypt of the cathedral, 49 members of the ruling Wettin family sleep forever. In a special vessel rests the heart of the great Augustus the Strong, whose grave is located in Krakow, Poland.

Brühl's Terrace

Visiting Dresden and not walking along the Brühl Terrace is nonsense! The 500 m long promenade, stretching between the bridges Karolabrücke and Augustusbrücke, gives an unforgettable view of the historic center, the Neustadt city district and the boats of the Weissen Flotilla cruising along the Elbe, setting off for a river trip to Saxon Switzerland.

In 1589, a rampart was erected on the site of the modern well-maintained embankment. By the middle of the 18th century, the need for fortifications had disappeared, and in 1739 the son of Elector Augustus the Strong granted the land adjacent to the banks of the Elbe to his father's favorite, First Minister Heinrich von Brühl. A few years later, the new owner turned the former defensive fortifications into a luxurious place for promenades of the city's nobility, called the “Balcony of Europe”.

Repnin-Volkonsky made the promenade accessible to the public in 1814. After the victory of the Allied troops over Napoleon (the army of King Frederick-August fought on the French side), Nikolai Grigorievich was appointed to the post of Governor-General of the Kingdom of Saxony.

golden rider

Neustadter Markt 14

The Augustusbrücke bridge, originating from the Brühl Terrace, will lead you to the city's most famous monument – the bronze statue of Augustus the Strong, dazzling with golden brilliance, sitting on a rearing stallion. The gaze of the ruler dressed in armor is directed towards Poland, the country of which the great elector was proclaimed king in 1697.

The idea of ​​establishing a monument belonged to the ambitious Augustus. The elector, who studied in his youth in the art of architecture, took an active part in the preparation of the project for the monument to himself. The work of the father was completed by the son – the “Golden Rider” appeared on the right bank of the Elbe in 1736, during the reign of Augustus III.

During the Second World War, the monument was dismantled, dismantled and taken to Pilnitz Castle. The monument returned to its rightful place in 1956. It was restored by the sculptor Walter Flemming, who spent 187 g of gold leaf on the restoration.

Academy of Arts

Brühl Terrace 1

The Academy of Fine Arts (Fine Arts) was founded in 1764 as part of the program for the economic and cultural recovery of Saxony after the defeat in the Seven Years' War. At various times, famous painters Adrian Zing, Anton Graff, Bernardo Bellotto and eminent architects Paul Wallot and Gottfried Semper taught here.

Already the appearance of the building, which adorns the beginning of the Brühl Terrace, is of genuine interest. The architecture of the building designed by Konstantin Lipsius is based on a mixture of neo-baroque and French mannerism styles. The facades of the Academy are strikingly different from each other: for the eastern and northern, the architect did not spare stucco, lush decoration and numerous sculptures; the south and west sides have a more austere, classic look.

The building is crowned with a ribbed dome. At its top, a 4.8-meter figure of Fama, the goddess of legends, made of copper and covered with gilding, soars. In her hands is a laurel wreath, symbolizing the glory of artists. The weight of the winged celestial is 1.7 tons.

Frauenkirche

Neumarkt

The brilliant elegant dome of one of the most famous churches in Germany can be seen from afar. Frauenkirche is the main symbol of “Florence on the Elbe”, which appeared in the city center in 1743, destroyed by the Allied bombing in February 1945 and reopened at the beginning of the 21st century.

The construction of the Evangelical Frauenkirche (Church of the Virgin Mary) started in 1726. It took 17 years for the architect Georg Baer to create a baroque sandstone structure that delights with the elegance of forms and nobility of lines. For two centuries, the magnificent church received hundreds of parishioners every day, until aerial bombs, like hail falling from the sky on February 13 and 14, 1945, turned the holy house into ruins.

The revival of the Frauenkirche began in 1994 and lasted 11 years. Thanks to archaeological excavations, the restorers were able to use the miraculously preserved remains of the facade and interior decoration. In 2005, the long-awaited consecration of the church took place, which delights with its stunning facade and radiant interior decoration.

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00 (break from 12:00 to 13:00). On Sunday, due to church services and sacraments, the visiting time may be changed. The entrance is free. The ticket price for those wishing to climb the Frauenkirche dome on a 50-meter spiral staircase is 8 €.

Kreuzkirche

At the Kreuzkirche 6

Kreuzkirche dates back to 1168, when a Romanesque basilica appeared on the site of the future Lutheran cathedral, rebuilt in 1388 and called Kreuzkirche (Church of the Cross). The first Protestant service, led by the German religious reformer Martin Luther, took place in the church on July 6, 1539.

The Kreuzkirche acquired its modern look, combining elements of Gothic, Classicism and late Baroque, as a result of the reconstruction of 1792. Since then, the church has been destroyed twice, the last of which occurred in 1945. Restoration began a year after the end of World War II and lasted 9 years.

Today, the main Protestant temple of the city is not only a place for prayer, but also a concert venue. Organ music is played weekly in the spacious hall, striking in its modesty and ascetic decoration, and Saturday services, like 700 years ago, are accompanied by the singing of a choir consisting of 140 boys.

Dresden castle residence

Taschenberg 2

According to the surviving city archives, the first mention of the defensive structure, which later became the home of members of the Wettin family, dates back to 1289. For several centuries, the fortress on the banks of the Elbe was rebuilt many times, each time acquiring the features of new architectural trends: medieval Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance. In 1548, as a result of a grandiose restoration carried out by order of Elector Moritz of Saxony, the oldest building in Dresden received the status of an official residence.

Today, in the spacious premises of the castle, the Turkish Chamber exhibits its collections, introducing the masterpieces of Ottoman art, the Hall of the Giants, which stores about 400 types of ancient ceremonial weapons and armor, Numismatic and Engraving rooms. But the main asset of the former residence of the electors and kings of Saxony are the treasures of the Green Vaults Museum, located in the southwestern tower of the palace.

Museum “Green Vaults”

About 4,000 exhibits include a collection of jewelry and jewelry, which began in the 18th century Augustus the Strong. The work of his father was continued by August III – during his reign, the exposition expanded significantly and occupied 9 halls. Fortunately, the bombings of February 1945, which destroyed the city, did not damage the precious artifacts – the treasures of the monarchs were transported to the Königstein fortress in advance for storage.

The flagship of the collection is the world's largest pear-shaped diamond, bought by Augustus III in 1742. The cost of the jewel was 400 thousand thalers, which exceeded the budget for the construction of the Dresden Cathedral. The weight of the delightful stone, dazzling with the play of light and an unusual apple-green hue, is 8.2 g. In addition to the priceless diamond, in the halls of the museum you will find unique relics:

Museum exhibits can be viewed daily (except Tuesday) from 10:00 to 18:00. Ticket price – 12 €. Children under 16 years old are admitted free of charge.

stable yard

Augustusstrasse 1

The stable yard is part of the complex of the castle-residence. From the north, it is adjoined by a two-story building with a gallery, the white Tuscan columns of which are decorated with hunting trophies and coats of arms of the powers that be, who live in the palace. The central part of the structure is decorated with a sundial showing the current time, days and months.

The stable yard appeared on the map of Dresden in the 16th century. Initially, this place was used for celebrations and knightly tournaments. During the reign of King Frederick Augustus II, the stables were converted into an art gallery, where portraits of members of the ruling Wettin dynasty were exhibited, and later military uniforms and weapons.

At the end of November, an unusual Christmas market opens on the territory of the Stable Yard – a medieval market. Its visitors go on a journey through time. Like 500 years ago, blacksmiths' fires are burning here, potter's wheels are circling, fragrant punch is brewed in huge cauldrons, and barkers are loudly praising their various goods.

Panel “Procession of Princes”

Worthy of attention is the outer side of the gallery of the Konyushenny yard leading to the castle-residence. Its decoration is a unique panel, the creation of which took 25,000 seamlessly laid porcelain tiles from the famous Meissen factory. On an unusual canvas 101.9 m long, a horse procession is depicted. Among its 94 participants are princes, kings, scientists, artists, peasants and soldiers. The procession is led by Conrad the Great, the founder of the Wettin dynasty.

The grandiose panel was created in 1876 by Wilhelm Walter. The artist used the sgraffito technique, popular at that time, a relief drawing made using layers of colored plaster superimposed on each other. To protect against bad weather and piercing winds, in 1907 the work of art was transferred to porcelain tiles.

Cholera Fountain (Fountain of Gratitude)

Little Brothers Alley

One of the few representatives of the Neo-Gothic architectural style, so rare in the Baroque Saxon capital, is the fountain, designed in 1842-1845 by the founder of the Dresden Opera House, Gottfried Semper. The 15.2 m high structure, imitating the spire of a Gothic cathedral placed in an octagonal granite pool, delights with its gloomy beauty, statues of saints, figures of fantastic creatures and the murmur of 40 water jets.

The fountain owes its appearance to Baron Eugen von Gutschmid, who decided in stone to perpetuate the memory of the miraculous overcoming of cholera. An epidemic of a deadly disease raged in Saxony in 1840 and claimed thousands of lives. It is noteworthy that the fire of 1945 did not affect the composition. The cholera fountain is one of the few buildings that have survived to this day in its original form.

Tip: The fountain is located a stone's throw from the Zwinger, opposite the old Sophienkeller restaurant. At this authentic gastronomic establishment, you will taste the favorite dishes of Augustus the Strong and discover what real Saxon cuisine tastes like.

Monument to Fyodor Dostoevsky

Ostra shore 2

The Saxon capital played an important role in the fate of the great son of Russia, F. M. Dostoevsky. The writer first visited the city in 1862. Five years later, the family of the author of Crime and Punishment hid from creditors on the banks of the Elbe, and two years later, the eldest daughter of Fyodor and Anna, Lyubov, was born here, baptized in the Orthodox Church of St. Simeon Divnogorets. Famous novels were written on German soil: “The Eternal Husband” and “Demons”.

In 2006, on the day of the 185th anniversary of Fyodor Mikhailovich, next to the building of the Congress Center on the embankment, a bronze figure of the brilliant Russian writer appeared – an almost exact copy of the monument created in 1997 and installed on Moscow Vozdvizhenka. The author of both compositions is the Russian sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov. Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel attended the opening ceremony of the monument to Dostoevsky in Dresden.

Yenidze

Weisseritzstrasse 3

A little away from the main attractions, 700 meters from the monument to Dostoevsky, there is an amazing building 60 meters high, 20 of which falls on a dome decorated with multi-colored glass. The bright building invariably attracts attention with its unusual architecture for Europe, combining elements of Moorish style and Art Nouveau. The majestic facade is decorated with ceramic mosaics, tiles and artificial sandstone.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the industrialist Hugo Zitz, whose life's work was the production of cigarettes, decided to build a tobacco factory in Dresden. No sooner said than done. In 1909, an original building appeared on Weißeritzstrasse. Its prototype was one of the mosques in Cairo, seen by the entrepreneur during his Egyptian trip.

The new factory was distinguished not only by foreign architecture. The architect Hermann-Martin Hammich, who headed the project, implemented the most advanced engineering ideas of that time. So, in the construction of the building, load-bearing reinforced concrete structures were used, high minarets hid chimneys and exhaust pipes, and the interior rooms were equipped with ventilation.

Tobacco workshops operated in Yenidets until 1953. Today, offices, a restaurant with a beer garden, and the 1001 Fairy Tales show theater coexist in the eastern walls.

Grosser Garden Park

main avenue 10

We recommend finishing a fascinating walk along Florence on the Elbe, relaxing among centuries-old trees, admiring fantastic landscapes and elegant architecture in the largest city park, whose area is 155 hectares. In 1676, the forest area began to be used as a hunting ground for the local nobility, but after 7 years the city authorities decided to set up a luxurious park here.

The green oasis attracts visitors with shady alleys, picturesque ponds, baroque sculptures and fountains. On the territory there are puppet and summer theaters, a tropical greenhouse and a zoo. For the convenience of visitors, a miniature railway with a length of 5.5 km operates in the Grosser Garten.

The open retro locomotives “Lisa” and “Moritz”, carrying passengers at a speed of 20 km/h, recently celebrated their 70th anniversary. In the center of the park is its main attraction – the Summer Palace built in 1683, which is a classic example of the Saxon baroque.

How to get from the airport to the city

Dresden Airport is located 10 km from the center of the capital of Saxony, in the territory of the northern district of Kloche, accepting domestic and international flights. You can get from the air gate “Florence on the Elbe” to the city by:

The most convenient form of transportation is a taxi. Travel time is 20-25 minutes. Using the Kiwitaxi transport service, you can choose and book a car even before you arrive on German soil. The driver, armed with a sign with your name, will be waiting in the arrivals hall. For groups of 5-7 people or tourists traveling with large luggage, the company offers a transfer by private minibus.

Advice. The main attractions of Dresden are compactly located in the center. Therefore, if the purpose of your trip to the Saxon capital is only to get acquainted with interesting places and collections of world famous museums, choose a hotel in the Innere Altstadt, Friedrichstadt and Innere Neustadt areas. Tourism.com.de advises fans of budget travel to pay attention to inexpensive three-star hotels of the Ibis chain: Ibis Dresden Zentrum.

Dresden itinerary for 1 day on the map