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Dresden (Saxony, Germany) – Old Town and Augustusbr眉cke. Photo by Unknown author on

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Dresden: The historical town

Dresden is the capital city of the German state of Saxony and its second most populous city, after Leipzig. It is the 12th most populous city in Germany, the fourth largest by area (after Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne), and the third most populous city in the area of former East Germany, after Berlin and Leipzig.

Dresden has a long history as the capital and royal residence for the Electors and Kings of Saxony, who for centuries furnished the city with cultural and artistic splendour, and was once by personal union the family seat of Polish monarchs. The city was known as the Jewel Box, because of its baroque and rococo city centre.

Let鈥檚 take a look at some of the most amazing facts about the city;

1. The Name of the City Dresden Etymologically Derives from Old Sorbian Word Dre啪膹any

The name of the city Dresden etymologically derives from the Old Sorbian word Dre啪膹any meaning “people of the forest”, from Proto-Slavic *dr臋zga (“dense forest”) from *dr臎zg脿 (“murky space”).

Dresden later evolved into the capital of Saxony. The name of the city as well as the names of most of its boroughs and rivers are of Sorbian origin. It is one of the oldest cities in Germany.

2. The City Emerged as a Leading European City during the Reign of Kings Augustus II the Strong

The city emerged as a leading European city for technology and art during the reign of Kings Augustus II the Strong. He gathered many of the best musicians, architects and painters from all over Europe to Dresden.

Most of the city’s baroque landmarks were built during his reign and that of his predecessor Augustus III of Poland.

These include the Zwinger Royal Palace, the Japanese Palace, the Taschenbergpalais, the Pillnitz Castle and the two landmark churches: the Catholic Hofkirche and the Lutheran Frauenkirche. In addition, significant art collections and museums were founded.

3. Dresden has become a Cultural, Educational and Political Center in Germany

Green vault crime scene Dresden Zwinger view 2019. Photo by Bambizoe on

Since German reunification in 1990, Dresden has become a cultural, educational and political centre of Germany. The Dresden University of Technology is one of the 10 largest universities in Germany and part of the German Universities Excellence Initiative.

The economy of Dresden and its agglomeration is one of the most dynamic in Germany and ranks first in Saxony. It is dominated by high-tech branches, often called “Silicon Saxony”. Back in 2019, Dresden had the seventh best prospects for the future of all cities in Germany.

4. Dresden was a Center of the German Revolutions during the Napoleonic Wars

Dresden was a centre of the German Revolutions during the Napoleonic Wars. Following the Polish uprisings of 1831, 1848 and 1863 many Poles fled to Dresden, the May Uprising, which cost human lives and damaged the historic town of Dresden.

Dresden originated as the Slav village of Drezdzany, meaning 鈥淔orest Dwellers on the Plain,鈥� on the Elbe’s north bank. First mentioned in 1216, the town on the south bank was founded at a ford by Margrave Dietrich of Meissen as a German colony.

5. About 45 Percent of the Stonework in Dresden is Original

Stone of the Frauenkirche of Dresden in the historical city hall in M眉nster, Westphalia, Germany. Photo by STBR on

About 45 per cent of the stonework in Dresden is original and burnished black by the cataclysmic firestorm that raged through the city more than 60 years ago.

But the deeper scars, both to the city鈥檚 fabric and its psyche, were inflicted in the space of just 48 hours. In 1945 American aeroplanes droned overhead, thousands of bombs rained down, and one of Europe鈥檚 most beautiful cities was reduced to rubble and ash.

6. Most of the City’s Best Sights are all within Walking Distance from Dresden’s Altstadt

Elbe: Bicycle and walking way in Dresden with the view of the historical town centre during morning dawn. Photo by Hutschi on

Most of Dresden city’s best sights are all within walking distance from Dresden’s Altstadt. These include; The Funky Buildings in the Kunsthofpassage, the Grand Garden, Church of Our Lady and Zwinger Palace.

Other attractions include; the Br眉hlsche Terrasse, the Procession of Princes, the Green Vault, the Paddle Steamer, the Semperoper, the Pfund鈥檚 Dairy and the Hanging Cable Car.

7. The City’s Elbe Valley was Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Elbe valley around the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004, but the construction of a four-lane bridge across the river caused UNESCO to revoke the designation in 2009.

Elbe valley contributes to the mild climate enjoyed by Dresden. Numerous parks and cultural monuments exist along the Elbe鈥檚 course, particularly a steel bridge (1891鈥�93), a cable railway (1898鈥�1901), and a funicular (1894鈥�95).

8. Dresden has Several Major Museums and Art Galleries

Dresden has several museums and art galleries including; The famous Zwinger (1711鈥�32), which was originally planned as the forecourt for a castle and The Japanese Palace, formerly housing a manuscript and map library, though has since been rebuilt and is now a museum of anthropology and ethnography.

The Semper Gallery (1846) is also one of the art galleries in Dresden. It houses important Renaissance and Baroque paintings by Italian, Dutch, and Flemish masters.

9. The City is Home to Several Universities and Colleges

Dresden city is home to more than 5 universities and colleges with an available music college and colleges of medicine, plastic arts, transport, and teachers鈥� training, as well as a celebrated Academy of Art.

These Universities and colleges include; Fachhochschule Dresden, the Dresden University of Fine Arts which was founded more than 250 years ago, and the Protestant University of Applied Sciences Dresden and Dresden University of Applied Sciences.

Others include; the Palucca University of Dance Dresden, Dresden College of Music and the Technical University of Dresden.

10. The City was Bombed in 1945

Before World War II, Dresden was called 鈥淔lorence on the Elbe鈥� and was considered one of the world鈥檚 most beautiful cities because of its architecture and art treasures. Having never previously been attacked in the war, the city offered increased value for terror bombing against an inexperienced population.

During World War II, Allied bombing raids on February 13鈥�15, 1945, almost destroyed the German city of Dresden. The raids became a symbol of the 鈥渢error bombing鈥� campaign against Germany, which was one of the most controversial Allied actions of the war.

The city is currently one of the most significant and historic cities in Germany. It is also a centre of excellence with it being rich in history, education and music.