Dresden and Surroundings

Dresden gave me great pleasure, and my desire to think about art was revived. There are incredible treasures of all kinds in this beautiful place.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -

Dresden offers a unique combination of historic and contemporary architecture, science and art, night and outdoor life.

The city counts over half a million inhabitants, 50000 of them are students giving rise to a vibrant atmosphere in the baroque environment.

The cultural scene shines with 44 museums (among them the renowned Albertinum and the Militärhistorische Museum), two famous orchestras, an opera, several theatres, two centres of modern dance, and numerous galleries, arthouse cinemas and clubs. The Dresden University of Music, the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, and the Palucca University are well-known universities of modern arts in Dresden. The annual OSTRALE exhibition and the annual CYNETART festival are just examples of the contemporary art scene in Dresden.

Dresden is one of the few cities in Germany with unspoilt river banks within the city centre. During summer time these are extensively used for cycling, playing football, barbeques with friends, but also for film festivals and concerts. The lively district 'Neustadt' provides throughout the whole year a huge variety of bars, restaurants, clubs and events.

Berlin, Leipzig, and Prague can be reached within two hours by train or bus. Alternatively, a short ride with the local train brings you to the national park Saxon Switzerland, whose bizarre sandstone mountains provide ample opportunity to hike or climb.