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Dresden





The first thing that you notice about Dresden is that it is a city of mixed architecture. Ornate baroque are intertwined with 1960/70s Soviet looking housing blocks and ultra-modern shopping malls that have been constructed in the past 15 years. 


During WW2 Dresden was flattened by Allied bombing and most of the old buildings and bridges lay in ruin. Most have now been reconstructed and many are still under reconstruction. Everywhere you look there are cranes and scaffolding. 



The Frauenkirke (a highly ornate baroque church) in the centre of the city lay in ruin until 1992. Churches were not rebuilt during the soviet era as religion was banned. The Frauenkirke has now been rebuilt in all its glory. 


Dresden was the capital of ancient Saxony, being the seat of royal power the old buildings are more ornate than most others in Germany. 












On the edge of the old town is Grosse Park, it is the lungs of the city. It covers an area of two square kilometres and like Jardin de Tuileries in Paris, it has wide, well maintained boulevards criss-crossed with walking / cycling paths. All of which are well used by locals and tourists. The park has a mixture of wild areas which are not mown and full of wild flowers; recreational spaces which include community gardens and orchards; and well maintained passive spaces for picnics amongst playgrounds. In the park there is also a zoo, a miniature railway and a music stadium.


We stayed on the edge of the park near the old town. That night Rammstein (Heavy Metal band) were performing in the stadium. In terms of popularity and longevity they are the German equivalent of ACDC. They attract a varied crowd in terms of age but everyone is dressed in black usually in one of the bands T-shirts. We enjoyed watching the procession of thousands of people crossing the park to the venue. Later that night we could hear the concert amongst the thunder and lightning show that nature had put on.   


Dresden is a city on the Elbe river that is easily explored on bike. There are many places on both sides of the river to sit and take in the view.  
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