Dresden, Germany in the Winter

DRESDEN, GERMANY

Unfortunately, Dresden is really known for its destruction in WW II.  It was bombed on 13 February 1945 by the American and the British.  The bombing destroyed 75% of the historical center and killed 25,000 people.  It used to be considered the "Florence of the Elbe", and if you go there you can see why.  They have rebuilt almost everything but ... it is still not the original.  They didn't really begin to rebuild until recently due to Dresden being on the Soviet side of the Berlin wall after WWII.

Anyway ... onto Dresden!

When you arrive park, at the Hauptbahnhof for ease (or main train station) and take a tram (NOT a train) into the center of the town.  I believe it is either tram #8 or #9 to get to the historical center, Theaterplatz or Postplatz.

Here is Theaterplatz in all its glory!  

On the left is Katholiches Hofkirche, or Catholic Church of the Royal Court.

Statue of King John. whom I don't know much about, but still neat regardless

two other views of the platz (above & below)

From Theaterplatz we headed towards the Zwinger ...

The next 5 pictures below are pictures of the palace complex.  It is all in Baroque and amazing!  In the 18th c. Augustus the Strong (who was both prince elector of Saxony and king of Poland) was ruler of Saxony's  Golden Age and this is what he built up.

Here is the front of the 

Kotholiches Hofkirche, or Catholic church of the Royal Court.  

This time it is on the right.  After Augustus the Strong died his son wanted to take his place as King of Poland.  In order to do so, the pope said he, Augustus Junior, had to build a Catholic church ... and so he did.

Above is a picture of the inside of the Catholic Church.  So white and so wide, both of which you don't see a lot in Europe, they are usually dark and narrow.

Parade of the Nobles (Fürstenzug)

This mural was my favorite thing in Dresden, because it is original and survived the WWII bombing beautifully!  It is painted on 24,000 tiles of Meissen porcelain, and longer than a football field.  It was built in 1871 when Saxony became part of Germany and depicts the 700 years of Saxon royalty.  

I loved how realistic it is!  I also loved how it illustrates the evolution of fashion and, for guys, weaponry.  They both change as you walk down the street so much and it is so interesting.

Above and below are pictures of ...

Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)

After the bombing on 13 February 1945 this church was on fire but still standing.  It burned for 2 days and then collapsed.  It was left like that as a peace monument until 2005.  In 2005 they completely rebuilt the entire Church.  We couldn't get over the fact that they just barely rebuilt it!

This picture was taken standing on the promenade along the river looking back towards the Protestant church.  We were there after the New Year, with remains of their Christmas Market up.  I love Christmas in Germany!