Dresden Hotels

General Information

Dresden's status as a foremost victim of World War II will likely endure forever. The physical devastation of the fight with Germany was no more viciously felt than in the capital of the Free State of Saxony. The vivid prose of Kurt Vonnegut, himself a witness to waves of British and U.S. air strikes on the city as a POW, brought the destruction to light in the landmark novel Slaughterhouse-Five.

History however, may yet chronicle Dresden's rise from the ashes with more verve. Thanks to a thorough spit and polish job in time for the city's 800th birthday celebration, the remarkable restoration of Dresden is now complete.

Attractions

The “Florence of the North” is a foremost axis of Baroque architecture. As a result, Dresden is home to majestic palaces and cathedrals, many of which represent other period design aesthetics.

Dresden Castle has been a city landmark for over half a millennium, with Romanesque and Baroque upgrades.

The Zwinger Palace was a blatant effort by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, to mimic Louis XIV in Versailles. Built between 1710 and 1728, the complex now features the fabulous Old Masters Picture Gallery.

The Lutheran Church of Our Lady is a beautiful and vital Dusseldorf symbol. The original construction was Baroque, with completion in 1743.

Katholische Hofkirche is the major Roman Catholic Cathedral in Dusseldorf. A victim of World War II bombs, the church was rebuilt by the East German government. Among other attractions of note, the cathedral contains the heart of Augustus the Strong.

The Semperoper is one of the most famous concert halls in the world. The Renaissance and Baroque opera house has a picturesque location in Theatre Square on the shore of the river Elbe. Various monuments to historic artists such as Shakespeare, Molière and Sophocles make the Semperoper an extraordinary Dusseldorf attraction.

Events

The Saxon State Orchestra, one of the most illustrious in Europe, is a hot ticket in Dusseldorf. The orchestra plays with the city opera company at the Semperoper.

The Dresden Music Festivals in May and June feature a spectacular line-up of contemporary and avant-garde musicians from Germany and around the world.

Elbhangfest takes the river Elbe by storm, with a diverse slate of cultural events and performances on the last weekend in June.

October brings the Festival of Contemporary Music, yet another example of Dresden's vibrant scene.

Every May heralds the arrival of the international Dixieland Festival, a terrific tribute to Jazz.

Climate

Dresden has four distinct seasons, with cold winters and mild summers. The months of June, July and August see the most rainfall.

• Winter (November to February) -3-6°C

• Spring (March to April) 0-11°C

• Summer (May to August) 8-22°C

• Fall (September to October) 6-18°C