Dresden.................

Dresden came to prominence relatively late in Saxon history -- not until 1485 did the electors make this city their principal residence. Dresden's most glorious period, both in art collecting and in architectural innovation, occurred from 1697 to 1763, when two electors of Saxony also served as kings of Poland, controlling one of Europe's largest empires. The last monarch abdicated in 1918, and Saxony joined the modern German nation.

One of the most remarkable monuments in the city is the so-called "Fürstenzug" (procession of the dukes). It is situated in the Langer Gang (Long walk), a long building erected in 1586-1591, which connects the Residential Castle with the Johanneum Museum. The elegant façade facing the courtyard is decorated with sgraffito and has shady arcades supported by slim columns. It provided an excellent backdrop for tournaments and parades. The wall facing the street features the so-called Fürstenzug , a vast 102m long frieze depicting the procession of many Saxon rulers. Originally created by Wilhelm Walther in 1872-1876, using the sgraffito technique, it was replaced in 1907 by 24.000 Meissen porcelain tiles.

Dresden was destroyed in the firestorms of the 13th -14th February allied bombardment in 1945. All this came to a fiery end in February, 1945, when British bombers caused a firestorm that killed 25,000 citizens, mostly women and children, and destroyed almost all of Dresden's historical and architectural monuments.After the war, the city was reconstructed as a large socialist city. The raid was a deep blow to architectural history.

What the bombs didn't destroy fell to Communist planners after the war. There were enough surviving buildings, or remnants of buildings and street infrastructure, with which to reconstruct the traditional character and scale of the city. But intent on building a new utopian socialist city, planners erased many of the buildings that had tiptoed through the bombs. On the new tabula rasa, they built a politically correct field of banality that celebrated collectivity.

Dresden today has a new appearance. The second reconstruction of Dresden is in full swing. By 2006 at the latest, in time for the city's 800 year jubilee, Dresden should have been restored to what it was - a large city with a pulsating centre and probably the most beautiful city in Germany. The Frauenkirche church, The "psychological" reconstruction of the city will only be complete as soon as the "Frauenkirche" (Our Lady's Church) is restored from the heaps of rubble left by a direct hit subsequent fire.and the largest Protestant domed building in history, is to be rebuilt with money contributed from all over the world. The whole area around the Frauenkirche, which is currently empty, will be restored as a piece of old Dresden. Next to historic Baroque buildings, new buildings with old dimensions will be built. In the heart of Dresden, the Royal Palace is being reconstructed. Directly opposite the palace is the Taschenbergpalais, which was rebuilt after being reduced to just its outer walls in the war.

Much has been rebuilt. An outstanding example is the "Semperoper", the State Opera of Saxony.The opera is one of Saxony's landmarks. It was named after its creator, the the famous architect Gottfried Semper who designed it twice : the first building, erected in 1338-1841burned down in 1869, the second one was completed in 1878. It reopened for performances in 1985 and has regained its reputation as the opera house in which The Rosenkavelier was premiered.

Last week, we went to Dresden, we departed here Weds. 8:05am, arrived at Dresden at 1:45pm,with ICE-intercity Express, eventhough a long trip but it was a wonderful,educational and memorable short trip.

Dresden, they become BR, last Nov. 13,1993, but they have already improving and do more contructions for their economy.

We make a Sightseeing tour, all Inclusive, so that we know why and where to go in some interesting places, this is what we do in the 1st and half-day in our stay there, in the afternoon, that´s the time we go and see inside the places. We attended also this nightseeing tour, which was so very interesting.

We had visited almost all the historical views, it was an educational, interesting and historical visit for me........which i think i can´t visit Dresden or any part of East Germany.

Before, when I was in my school days, i am fun of reading books or stories about East germany, their lives and thier economy.......when I was here, 1988, its hard to visit there, esp. I am not a german, or eventhough for a german to get inside or out, without visa or if there is a visa, it´s hard to get inside or visit there, because they are very strict..........

but now, it is free, anytime you come and out...when I was there, i imagine what I read in the books......you can still see some of the buildings and events........

Dresden is a nice place to visit......you won´t regret visiting Dresden...........

if you have time, please view our pics. at MYPHOTOALBUM; we have around 200 pics, there, hope it is also an interesting for you .......

by the way, there are some places we visited we have no pics, cause pics. are not allowed.......

before i forget, when you are there, don´t forget to visit at this Sophienkeller in Taschenbergpalais......if you have no reservation, just go inside the restaurant and looks all their rooms, they have 8 types of dining rooms....you won´t missed it....very interesting too. or visit their website...www.sophienkeller-dresden.de............(keller-underground)

i have so much to say or tell you, but i can´t express everything here, so when you make a tour here in Europe, pls. don´t missed Dresden.

HAVE FUN VIEWING OUR PICS.................