What We Had
Highs: 63°F & 59°F Low: 52°F
Sunny and Beautiful
Averages:
Hi 64°F Low 50°F
Dresden Crest (Click to Enlarge)
Our second stop...for one day. We arrived before lunch, did a walking introduction to the downtown area, had lunch, some time to see things on our own and a guided tour of the Frauenkirch. An interesting point...most of the building we saw are relatively new (post WWII with some post East German Communists).
From Wikipedia: The Bombing of Dresden was a military bombing by the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) as part of the allied forces between 13 February and 15 February 1945 in the Second World War. In four raids, 1,300 heavy bombers dropped more than 3,900 tons of high-explosive bombs and incendiary devices on the city. The resulting firestorm destroyed 15 square miles (39 square kilometres) of the city centre.
After the war it was determined that 25,000 residents (NOT 250,000) die in the raids. In addition, the amount of destruction (while significant) was not the worst of WWII by most measures. None the less, most of the area we visited had been destroyed.
On our way around town we ran across a group of musicians planning some `typical` German tunes. As we passed by they heard of speaking English (American English) and they immediately switched to the Star Spangled Banner. Click on the picture below to hear them play.
Street Band Music in Dresden
(Video - Click to Play)
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Here's some of the pictures Chris took in Dresden. To see more be sure to click on the Pictures button at the bottom of this section.
And that`s how it is Chris` Pics, Dresden Picture by: Chris Lee (Click to Enlarge)
Fearless leader Chris` Pics, Dresden Picture by: Chris Lee (Click to Enlarge)
Frauenkirche - Look here folks Chris` Pics, Dresden Picture by: Chris Lee (Click to Enlarge)
Phil or François Chris` Pics, Dresden Picture by: Chris Lee (Click to Enlarge)
They need tourists to survive Chris` Pics, Dresden Picture by: Chris Lee (Click to Enlarge)
Frauenkirche - Secret tunnels Chris` Pics, Dresden Picture by: Chris Lee (Click to Enlarge)
Theaterplatz
We pulled into Dresden and we debussed (ha! you deplane don`t you so...why not debus?) in the Theaterplatz so named because the Opera House is on the north side of the plaza. We started our introductory here met here at the end of the day.
Heading toward Old Masters Picture Gallery Theaterplatz, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Looking across to the Dresden Castle Theaterplatz, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Joann, Jean, Sally, Phil and Larry Theaterplatz, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Jack, Jackie and Mary (Old Masters Picture Gallery in the background) Theaterplatz, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Zwinger
Wikipedia: The location was formerly part of the Dresden fortress of which the outer wall is conserved. The name derives from the German word Zwinger (outer ward of a concentric castle); it was for the cannons that were placed between the outer wall and the major wall.
Looking to the back gate Zwinger (Palace), Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Across the grounds looking toward the Wall Pavilion (south end) Zwinger (Palace), Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Wall Pavilion at the north end Zwinger (Palace), Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Looking back to the Art Pavilion (where we entered) Zwinger (Palace), Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Procession of the Princes
Wikipedia:The Procession of the Princes in Dresden is a large mural of a mounted procession of the princes of Saxony, made out of 25,000 Meissner porcelain tiles. 102 meters long and 9.5 meters high, it is one of the largest porcelain artworks in the world. It shows the thousand year history of the the Princely house of Wettin.
Full View (335 feet) Procession of the Princes, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Close Up ( 24,000 Meissen tiles) Dresden Castle, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Dresden Castle
Wikipedia: Dresden Castle (German: Dresdner Residenzschloss or just Dresdner Schloss) is one of the oldest buildings in Dresden and has been the residence of the Electors (1547-1806) and Kings (1806-1918) of Saxony.
In the first 15 years after the end of the Second World War no attempts were made to restore the building except the installation of a temporary roof in 1946. During the 1960s, the reconstruction began with the installation of new windows. Since then an amazing amount of restoration has occurred. The famous "Grunes Geweulbe" (Green Vault) was reopened in 2005 containing, among other priceless items, the treasures of the Saxon Monarchy. The rebuilding of the castle is not yet complete.
Green Vault side of the building Dresden Castle, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Courtyard (Tickets for the Green Vault) Dresden Castle, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
A clear message (over the passageway) Dresden Castle, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Inside the passageway Dresden Castle, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Watchman Tower
There are two great views of the city in this area. One is from the top of the Frauenkirch and the other is from the Watchman Tower, part of the Dresden Castle. The problem with the view from the Frauenkirch is that you can`t see the Frauenkirch. So we opted for the Watchman Tower. As you can see from the photos below, the views up here are outstanding. The climb is a little tiring, but worth the time and effort. BTW, the clock (in the picture with Shawn and Laura) can be seen from the outside in the second picture below. Not often you get to see the mechanism from this side.
Shawn and Laura coming down from up top Watchman Tower, Dresden Castle, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Watchman Tower (notice the clock) from the courtyard Watchman Tower, Dresden Castle, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Linda looking over the city Watchman Tower, Dresden Castle, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Saxon State Chamber across the Elbe Watchman Tower, Dresden Castle, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Gold Statue on top of the Frauenkirche Watchman Tower, Dresden Castle, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Bridges crossing the Elbe Watchman Tower, Dresden Castle, Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Wikipedia: Church of Our Lady. Built in the 18th century, the church was destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden during World War II. It has been reconstructed as a landmark symbol of reconciliation between former warring enemies. The reconstruction of its exterior was completed in 2004, its interior in 2005 and, after 13 years of rebuilding, the church was reconsecrated on 30 October 2005.
Notice the blackened blocks of stone on the exterior walls? Those stone are part of the original church. They are in their original location, determined through a great deal of research.
Also note that the church sat in it's post WWII destroyed state until after the German unification. One of the pictures below is from a brochure.
From the other side of the Elbe (Post Card) Frauenkirch (Church of Our Lady), Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Introduction to the tour Frauenkirch (Church of Our Lady), Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Looks like Steve`s been here before Frauenkirch (Church of Our Lady), Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
As it stood in 1957 Frauenkirch (Church of Our Lady), Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Alter from a distance Frauenkirch (Church of Our Lady), Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Altar close-up Frauenkirch (Church of Our Lady), Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
Today (Post Card) Frauenkirch (Church of Our Lady), Dresden (Click to Enlarge)
