Dresden, Germany

A stroll through the Old Town (Altstadt), which lies in close proximity to the River Elbe, is the best place to catch your first glimpse of Dresden and its many attractions. The main highlights are all located within a radius of less than one kilometer.

Altstadt

The Zwinger, our starting point, and also one of the tour's high points, is arguably the symbol of Dresden. Originally built in the 18th century as the architectural setting for a courtly festival, the ensemble, with its modern sculptures, remains unique today. The Zwinger courtyard was closed in 1855 when a museum building was erected, designed by Gottfried Semper.

The art gallery of the old masters, which is home to the world famous Sistine Madonna by Rafael (Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister) is especially worth a visit.

Once you leave the Zwinger behind, you come across the Theaterplatz. Without doubt, this is one of Europe's most beautiful squares; the buildings which back onto it are spectacular. Amongst them are the Semper Opera House, the Italian miniature village, the Schinkelwache, the Hofkirche, and the Royal Castle, the Residenzschloss. If you can't manage to get hold of the highly-sought-after opera tickets, there is always the possibility of embarking on a tour of the magnificent Semper Opera House. After the tour, take the opportunity to put your feet up and have a breather in one of the coffee houses, found in the Schinkelwache and the Italian village. Fully revitalized, you should not knock back the chance to visit the newly renovated castle, which belongs to the Hausmann Tower. From the top of the tower's platform, the view over the old town roofs and the neighboring St. Trinitatsis Cathedral is quite breathtaking. In the former court church, which is a baroque gem, the heart of Saxony's most famous ruler, August the Great, is stored.

Across the castle square steps lead to a terrace the Brühlschen Terrasse. The terrace, named after Earl Brühl, is often referred to as the Balcony of Europe. From up here you can look out over Dresden, from the paddlesteamer on the Elbe, the Schaufelraddampfer, to the new town and the Japanese palace, the log cabin and the town chambers. A small passage then leads away from the terrace to one of Dresden's most famous buildings, the Women's Church - Frauenkirche. Until German reunification, the building served as a reminder of the destruction caused in war. This Protestant place of worship is now being rebuilt with extraordinary public sympathy. One should certainly not leave Dresden without visiting this wonderful building.

Münzgasse

A wander through the Münzgasse will take you past many restaurants, and for those who aren't too exhausted there is always the option of turning back to the terrace. Follow the tourist route past the Academy of Art, but don't go into the Albertinum. This assortment of museums, galleries, sculpture and coin collections and the Grünen Gewölbe - the legendary treasure chest of August The Great - should be saved for another outing, when you can devote an entire day to being there.

The final stop-off on this tour could be a visit to another architectural delight. Just yards away from the Albertinum and the Brühlschen Terrasse lies the New Dresden Synagogue. This synagogue was built very close to the spot where the original Jewish synagogue once stood; it was destroyed by Nazis in November 1938.

Markthalle

Should you have worked through all of Dresden's main attractions: the Semper Opera House, Zwinger and the Women's Church, turn your attention to exploring the hidden parts of the Old Town. The castle square leads off to the other side of the Elbe. The August Bridge, which stretches across the river, was built between 1907 and 1910. From the bridge, the panorama of the old town is amazing and not just for those who appreciate fine architecture. On the new town side of the river, you'll stumble across the gold-plated statue of August the Great (the Golden Rider), which was built in 1736. He invites you on a ride - or rather, a walk - through the new town. The Neustädter Markthalle, in which we now find ourselves, bears no resemblance to the famous Dresden Platz, which stood here before the First World War. The entire substance of the building fell victim to bombing in February 1945.

The Neustädter Markthalle and the tree-lined street (formerly Liberation Street) leading from the Markt to a boulevard of shops and delicious eateries were reconstructed during the 1970's. On the way to Albertplatz you pass the street's only remaining historic town houses. In one of the most beautifully restored buildings, you will find the small but fine museum of the Dresden early-Romantic period. The Three Kings Church, Dreikönigskirche, is just a stone's throw away from this museum. Between 1990 and 1992, the church was rebuilt following its destruction during the war and today it serves not only as a place of worship but also as a multi-functional church. Among other things, the Sachsen parliament (regional legislature) met here between 1990 and 1992.

Neustadt

If you have time, it really is worthwhile to take a look down the neighboring streets, which lead off from the left-hand side. The inner Neustadt has experienced something of a renaissance over the last 10 years, with the likes of Obergraben, Heinrichstrasse and Rähnitzgasse. After decades of dilapidation, the baroque-style buildings have finally been restored and brought back to life by a fresh assortment of shops, galleries and restaurants. The same goes for the Königstrasse, an adjoining street, which has been hailed as the new noble mile of Dresden.

Along this street, you will find just about everything that is new and expensive! From designer rags to Meissen china - you will find it all here. If you need a little something to eat at this point, there is a wide choice: from Wallgässchen, which cooks California-style, to the less traditional Wenzel, a Czech restaurant located on the Königstraße. For those who still have a thirst for culture there is always the Societätstheater, a small and relatively young theater, situated in the courtyard between Hauptstraße and Rähnitzgasse. The varied program offers national and international theater productions, as well as dance pieces.

Albertplatz

From here, we march in the direction of Albertplatz. Once the home of two luxurious wells, Albertplatz is now, above all, a traffic junction. However, just north of it lies the liveliest area of Dresden, the Äussere Neustadt. The area is home to many pubs, which cover an area of around one square kilometer. In order to really discover Neustadt you need hours, if not days. If you don't have this kind of time on your hands, then you should at least take a walk down the Alaunstrasse, or the Loisenstrasse, which crosses Alaunstrasse at a right angle. Stop at one of the many cafes, bars or pubs along the way. In the Alaunstrasse for instance you may like to pay a visit to Scheunecafé, La Vie en Rose, or El Perro Borracho, which can be found in the wonderfully-decorated Kunsthofpassage. Historically speaking, Martin-Luther-Platz, which lies in the east of this quarter, is extremely interesting. At the heart of the square you will find the Martin-Luther Kirche. Very close to the old Jewish cemetery, and rather a sudden contrast in the program, is Pfund's Dairy, which prides itself as being the most beautiful dairy in the world! After you have had a stroll around the shop and maybe purchased a piece of cheese or two, you can take the tram-line number 11 all the way back into the town center.

Dresden, on one hand the baroque art and culture city, on the other hand a young city with numerous attractions, presents a very high entertainment value for all age groups. It is perfect if you are a typical city-hopper but also should you like to install yourself somewhere for several weeks: the experience-hungry are guaranteed superb entertainment for all occasions.

A search for Dresden's representation of world-cinema can be narrowed down to but one special theater, the Ufa Kristallpalast. It might have the right to boast some of Germany's most exciting architecture: the asymmetric, glass-front extends towards the sky, a disputed work of art created out of concrete and a great deal of glass. What the big screen offers here is, however, nothing particularly out of the ordinary. The repertoire includes Hollywood mainstream, once a week a surprise film, and the odd independently-made film. Similar programs run in the city's other two multiplex cinemas, the Bofimax and the UCI Kinowelt. All three have got some reputable taverns and cafés in direct proximity. The Schauburg is somewhat smaller, yet this is perhaps the cinema with the biggest cult acclaim. It is situated directly in the tavern quarter and is a good starting point for a post-movie evening out. Here you can catch commercial and lesser-known or classic films. The Casablanca, the Kino am Hauptbahnhof or the Programmkino Ost all show films of similar genres.

For those who love the theater, Dresden is a veritable melting pot: the Schauspielhaus shows modern productions of classic pieces and other well-known plays. In the TIF-Theater in der Fabrik, however, things tend to be a little louder and more risqué. Modern pieces address the problems of modern society and the distinctly out of the ordinary. The Schlosstheater captivates audiences with its beautiful backdrop, the Residenzschloss. This stage's program is, more often than not, original and alternative. If you prefer to laugh in a more cordial fashion, you should head for the Komödie Dresden, the Kabarett Herkuleskeule or the Theaterkahn Dresdner Brettl. Local comedians will surely make you laugh with their Saxon wit.

Dresden's nightlife has its roots in one main area: the district of Dresden Neustadt. Nowhere else in Dresden will you stumble across such a concentrated mass of bars, inspired taverns and cafés. Houses dating from courtly times with colorful, daubed walls and graffiti-decorated buildings characterize this area where the bars and a handful of clubs have made their home. The Scheune Café, for example, is the perfect prelude for an evening out. This establishment covers all eventualities: the ground floor offers delightful Indian cuisine, while guests return later on to dance the night away on the upper floors to alternative and electronic music. You can get your hands on inexpensive and delicious fodder to suit both large and small appetites at Pizzeria Al Capone, Café Europa or Café Reale. When visiting the likes of the Blumenau or Raskolnikoff Restaurant, it's usually better if you arrive early, otherwise it's standing-room only! Here, it gets crowded at the drop of a hat, as these well-publicized taverns are two favorites of Dresden's party-goers.

Why not move on to a few cocktails at Mona Lisa, the Studiobar or the plush Déjà vu? Or perhaps partake in a glass of a wine at the Leonardo, the cozy cellar of Die 100 or in the Italian Alimentari?

For the more serious night reveler, dancing is next on the program! Whether you are looking for an alternative experience in the AZ Conni, a fun evening in the funky Down Town or something with a bit more style, in Schleuder Bar Room. There is something suitable for every taste and budget. Fans of Brit Pop should stop off at riesa efau or the Brit-Parade. If you prefer a stunning open-air garden party (in the summer months) you should venture to Saloppe.

Guitar music prevails in the Star Club and at Groove Station (directly beside Down Town). Untiring techno fans should stop by the Straße E and note the dates of their annual Boundless Party in the Showboxx or in the Kühlhaus. The Alter Schlachthof, however, stages alternating techno parties, expertly mixing the big names with newcomers.

One can experience summertime nightlife of another type altogether with the Nachtskaten: view Dresden's most beautiful buildings right across the city as part of a large group on roller skates!

To receive an overview about events, check out the following sites: www.sz-online.de, www.cybersax.de or, especially for parties, www.technoidz.de.