DRESDEN in eastern Germany, is often called “Florence on the Elbe” thanks to its riverside setting, Baroque architecture and world-class culture.
The German city earned its moniker after creatives like composers Karl Maria Von Weber and Richard Wagner, architect Gottfried Semper and painter Caspar David Friedrich lived in the city, contributing to its reputation as a cultural powerhouse.
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Located in Saxony in eastern Germany, there are several parallels between Dresden and Florence.
Both cities are separated by wide rivers and they’re both packed with stunningly beautiful buildings.
Despite being decimated during World War Two, the city was rebuilt to its former glory in the years following the war.
One landmark that was rebuilt following the end of the war was the Frauenkirche (the Church of Our Lady).
The Lutheran church was faithfully rebuilt after donations were received from all over the world.
Open daily, visitors can climb to the top of the dome platform for sweeping views over the city.
Entry to the dome platform costs €10 (£8.37) for a full-paying adult, with reduced-priced tickets available from €3 (£2.51).
Nearby, there’s also the Procession of Princes – one of the largest porcelain-tile artworks in the world.
The artwork depicts a procession of dukes, kings, and scientists celebrating the city’s history.
There’s also Zwinger Palace, a huge Baroque palace complex that houses several museums, including the Old Masters Picture Gallery and the Dresden Porcelain Collection.
Meanwhile, at the Royal Palace, visitors can see the Green Vault, which is home to Europe’s largest collection of treasures – think gold, crystals and diamonds.
Dresden is also home to the “Balcony of Europe” – an elevated walkway that sits along the Elbe River.
Other buildings that have contributed to the cultural prowess of the city include The Semper Opera House and the Grosser Garten (a baroque-style park).
Impressive architecture aside, Dresden has also earned a reputation for being one of the most hip and vibrant cities in the East of Germany.
Dresden’s vibrant Neustadt district is known for its lively arts scene, eclectic shops, and trendy bars and restaurants.
It has plenty of kooky attractions too, including the Hygiene Museum – a medical museum where visitors can learn about the human body.
The German city is also thought to be the birthplace of milk chocolate beating the likes of Switzerland.
Locals Jordan and Timaeus invented milk chocolate in 1839 – although they used donkey milk rather than cow’s milk.
Dresden is also home to the “Most Beautiful Milk Shop in the World” – a title that was awarded to Dresdner Molkerei Gebrüder Pfund by the Guinness Book of Records because of its unique design.
The Pfund brothers opened their shop in 1892, and it remains one of the city’s top attractions thanks to the hand-painted blue and white tiles that decorate the store.
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The city is also home to Dresden Christmas Market, also known as Dresdner Striezelmarkt, which is said to be the oldest Christmas market in the world.
Dating back to 1434, the Dresden Christmas Market originally began when Prussian King Frederick II and his brother, the Duke of Sigismund, agreed to host an outdoor market on Christmas Eve.
Now in its 590th year, Dresden Christmas Market is home to the world’s tallest Ore Mountain – a Christmas pyramid decorated with lights and ornaments.
The huge pyramid is a whopping 14.6m high, making it one of the market’s focal points.
Other key attractions at the German Christmas market include a walk-through candle arch, thought to be the largest in the world.
Dresden Market is home to over 200 stalls, including stands selling sweets, warm snacks, homemade gifts, and jewellery.
The market will open on November 29, 2023, and will run until Christmas Eve.
Ryanair operates direct flights from London Stansted to Leipzig Airport where Brit holidaymakers can board a train to Dresden.
One-way fares start from £17.99 per person, with flights taking just under two hours.
Here’s another little-known German town Brits can visit
THE oldest brewery in the world is still creating beer, more than 1,200 years since it first started.
What’s more, visitors can head to the brew house in Freising, Bavaria, Germany and sample its goods while looking out across stunning local countryside.
The Weihenstephan Brewery is officially the oldest continuously-operating brewery.
Guests can visit and look around the brewery’s museum before learning about the brewing process and joining in with a guided tasting session.
Tastings in the summer can take place on a beer garden out the back overlooking the town and its surrounding Bavarian countryside, with the brewery sitting atop the Weihenstephan Hill.
Getting to Freising is pretty straightforward for Brits, who need only to take the S1 train from Munich, which takes between 20-45 minutes.
A night in the town for two can be booked from £71 but the visit is worth it if you’re interested in sampling some traditional and historic German beer.
Meanwhile, this German town is home to canal tours and a unique smoked beer.
And this historic riverside town is home to Britain’s oldest brewery.
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