Welcome to one of the liveliest cities in the country! There's always something going on in Dresden – so a city trip including sightseeing, a museum tour, shopping, and much more is well worth it. So that you keep your way in the sea of activities, we have put together the most essential leisure tips for your visit to Dresden.
City VibesEverything for your Dresden city trip
Let's talk about historyMuch more than you need to know about Dresden
Dresden can look back on an impressive and, above all, long city history. But let's be honest: hardly anyone can remember so many historical events. That's why we have listed the most important periods in Dresden's history. This way you'll be perfectly prepared for your city tour and understand what the city guides are talking about.
From the city's founding to Napoleon
The Elbe Valley has probably been inhabited since the Stone Age. However, things became interesting in 1206: "Dresdene" was first mentioned in a document as a city. A few hundred years later, the Wettins, the dukes of the House of Wettin, were drawn here. Without further ado, they made Dresden the seat of government and residence of the Saxon monarchs. The city experienced its first economic and cultural boom.
After the electors settled in, a devastating fire broke out in 1685, destroying over 300 houses. The reconstruction created today's inner New Town in the magnificent Baroque style. Under August the Strong, the Elector and King of Poland, Dresden became a flourishing baroque city.
100 years later, in the shadow of the events of the French Revolution, there was also social unrest in Dresden. After the invasion of the French armies, Saxony became an ally of Napoleon. Until his defeat at Leipzig, he paid several "visits" to Dresden.
From Industrialisation to the Second World War
At the beginning of the 19th century, the first industrial areas also developed in Dresden. With the economic boom came growth and new districts were built. In the second half of the 19th century, the city and the number of its inhabitants continued to grow rapidly - Dresden developed into a large city. At the turn of the century, Dresden was already one of the largest cities in the German Empire and meanwhile also attracted many tourists.
With the November Revolution in 1918, Saxony became a free state. In the time that followed, Dresden flourished, especially culturally. However, this changed in 1933 when the National Socialists came to power. In February 1945, Dresden was almost completely destroyed in several air raids. The reconstruction of the most important historical buildings and monuments began slowly and lasted for many decades.
Dresden in the GDR and today
After the GDR was founded, Dresden became the district capital. During this time, nine universities settled in the city. Among them was the Technical University, around which an entire district was formed. After reunification, Dresden regained its title as the capital of the Free State of Saxony.
Since the 1990s, the focus has been on the reconstruction, redevelopment, and restoration of Dresden's old buildings. In the meantime, most of this work has been successfully completed. Dresden is once again one of the most worth-seeing cities in the country and a popular destination for city explorers from near and far.
