Three minutes walk from our hostel brought us to a major tram/train stop. We bought our usual 24hr tickets, jumped on a tram & headed into the centre of Dresden. It is a spectacular city, even though much of it has been rebuilt since WWII.
The first order of business was to obtain German phone cards & maps. This done and morning coffee out of the road, we hit the tourist sights.
A stroll through lively cobbled streets brought us to the Bruhlsche Terrasse, a spectacular promenade overlooking the nearby street and the Elbe and surrounded by stunning architecture. Rod toured the Festung (fortress) Dresden, while Pat & I continued to stroll. We met up for a picnic lunch in a fairly spectacular platz.
The old city wall still provides a dramatic introduction to the city. It is riddled with tunnels and appertures for the defence of the city.
The Dresden waterfront.
The approaches to Dresden and Tracey takes on one of the local roadies, he did not have a clue who he had pulled into gear.The old town square contained the Frauenkirche - largely reconstructed with donations from Coventry in England, a very elaborate creation in pink & blue.
Dresden highlights included the Semperoper (Opera House) and the Schloss with its "Neue Grune Vault" (vaults) containing exquisite royal jewels, gifts & collections, made from gold, silver, enamel, ivory, precious stones, etc. The Schloss stables were decorated with a painting of the entire line of princes, which had been transferred onto 24000 mosaic tiles - very specky. Thinking of doing something similar on the Heather Crt stables!
We were also treated to beautful music as we wandered around this historic area. A trio of buskers - violin, clarinet & oboe - played all the classics exceptionally well.
We could have stayed longer in Dresden if time allowed.
Did you find any memorials about the fire-bombing?
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