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    Inner Old Town
    CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    Germany

    Inner Old Town

    City

    The Inner Old Town, situated on the left bank of the Elbe, is Dresden's historic core, stretching from the Terrassenufer in the north to the City Hall in the south.

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    7. Dresden
    9. Inner Old Town
    The Inner Old Town, situated on the left bank of the Elbe, is Dresden's historic core, stretching from the Terrassenufer in the north to the City Hall in the south. Its borders follow the old city fortifications, which were dismantled at the beginning of the 19th century: Postplatz lies on the western edge, Pirnaischer Platz on the eastern. The air raids in February 1945 almost completely destroyed the district. From 1953, buildings in the style of Socialist Classicism arose on Altmarkt; around the Frauenkirche, Neumarkt has been rebuilt quarter by quarter since 2004, with some prominent buildings following historical models.Between Theaterplatz, Schloßplatz, Neumarkt, and Altmarkt, the city's major attractions are so close together that you can reach everything on foot. Along the Elbe riverbank stretches the Brühlsche Terrasse; every December, the Striezelmarkt, held since 1434, takes place on Altmarkt. Wilsdruffer Straße crosses the district; to the south, Prager Straße connects in the Seevorstadt. You can get here quickly by tram: Of the twelve DVB lines, only 10 and 13 do not run through the Inner Old Town, with Postplatz being the most important hub.
    The Inner Old Town is Dresden's historic core on the left bank of the Elbe, located between Terrassenufer, Postplatz, Pirnaischer Platz, and the Rathaus. After its near total destruction in February 1945, today reconstruction, GDR architecture at Altmarkt, and the newly built quarters at Neumarkt define the cityscape. The main attractions around Theaterplatz, Schloßplatz, Neumarkt, and Altmarkt are close together and easily reached on foot. Almost all DVB tram lines run through the district.

    Sights in Inner Old Town

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Catholic Court Church
    Church

    1Catholic Court Church

    Gaetano Chiaveri planned the church on Schloßplatz, consecrated June 29, 1751; since 1980, it has been the Cathedral of the Diocese of Dresden-Meißen. In the crypt lie the Saxon Electors and Kings; in the church plays the only remaining of Dresden's four former Silbermann organs, with around 3000 pipes.
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    Altmarkt
    Attraction

    2Altmarkt

    First mentioned in 1370, Dresden's oldest square measures approximately 130 by 100 meters. Its surrounding buildings date from 1953, built in the style of Socialist Classicism. Every December, it hosts the Striezelmarkt, held since 1434, featuring a 14-meter-high tiered pyramid.
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    Culture Center
    Attraction

    3Culture Center

    The modernist building, opened in 1969, closes off the Altmarkt to the north. Its west side is adorned by the 30 x 10.5 meter mural "Der Weg der roten Fahne". Since its reopening on April 28, 2017, the Dresden Philharmonic has performed here in a concert hall with up to 1800 seats. Additionally, the Central Library and the Kabarett Herkuleskeule have moved in.
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    Stallhof
    Attraction

    4Stallhof

    The Residenzschloss courtyard, completed in 1591, was until the mid-18th century a track for jousting and other tournaments; 13 of the original 34 cast pillars still stand. Lining the courtyard is the approx. 100-meter-long Lange Gang with 20 Tuscan columns, its exterior adorned by the Fürstenzug; today hosting events like a medieval Christmas market.
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    Dresden Transport Museum
    Museum

    5Dresden Transport Museum

    Das 1956 offiziell eröffnete Museum im Johanneum am Neumarkt zeigt auf 5000 Quadratmetern Schienen- und Straßenverkehr, Luftfahrt und Schifffahrt. Dazu kommen Experimentier- und Kinderbereiche sowie eine Modellbahnanlage in Spur 0 auf 325 Quadratmetern.
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    Restaurants in Inner Old Town

    1

    Coselpalais

    Restaurant and Grand Café in the baroque Coselpalais near the Frauenkirche, offering fish, meat, and traditional regional dishes.
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    2

    Dresden 1900

    Museum restaurant on Neumarkt with Schnitzel, Schweinshaxe, and other Saxon dishes, served in the spacious dining room or on the terrace with views of the Frauenkirche.
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    3

    Coachman's Inn

    Cozy spot with rustic ambiance near Neumarkt, the menu features hearty German dishes, burgers, and omelets.
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    Nightlife

    1

    Twist Bar

    Small, modern bar on a hotel rooftop near Neumarkt, offering beer, wine, cocktails, and views over the old town's rooftops.
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    2

    Twenty Two

    Bar with Italian cuisine at Wilsdruffer Straße 22, between Altmarkt and Postplatz.
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    3

    Nostalgia Caucasian Old Market Cellar

    Gastropub and bar in a vaulted cellar on Altmarkt, with regional beer and hearty cuisine.
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    Accommodations in Inner Old Town

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    Campgrounds in Inner Old Town

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    Nearby

    Dresden

    Dresden

    Dresden lies on both sides of the Elbe in the Elbe Valley Basin and is known as 'Florence on the Elbe' due to its art collections. Under August the Strong, the city gained cultural significance through the Dresden Baroque. Following the air raids from February 13 to 15, 1945, the historic Old Town south of the Elbe was partially rebuilt; the Frauenkirche, however, only between 1993 and 2005.On the Old Town side, the Zwinger, Semperoper, Residenzschloss, and Brühl's Terrace stand together. Opposite, on the right bank of the Elbe, is the Neustadt. The Äußere Neustadt, almost undamaged in the war, is now the main entertainment district for Dresdeners, with cafés, pubs, bars, and small shops.
    Inner New Town

    Inner New Town

    Die Innere Neustadt liegt gegenüber der Altstadt in einem Bogen der Elbe und geht auf das frühere Altendresden zurück. Nach einem Stadtbrand wurde sie bis 1732 im Barockstil als "Neue Königliche Stadt" wiederaufgebaut, daher ihr Name. Die Hauptstraße führt als Fußgängerzone von der Augustusbrücke über den Neustädter Markt mit dem Goldenen Reiter zum Albertplatz. Barocke Bürgerhäuser stehen vor allem im Barockviertel an der Königstraße.Hier besuchst du das Japanische Palais, die Dreikönigskirche, deren Turm du ganzjährig besteigen kannst, und das Museum für Sächsische Volkskunst im Jägerhof. Aus dem Palaisgarten blickst du über die Elbe auf die Brühlsche Terrasse. Von der Altstadt kommst du zu Fuß über die Augustusbrücke herüber, wichtigste Straßenbahnhaltestelle ist der Albertplatz. Fernzüge halten am Bahnhof Dresden-Neustadt im Nordwesten des Stadtteils.
    Outer New Town

    Outer New Town

    The Äußere Neustadt, also Antonstadt, named for King Anton of Saxony, lies north of Albertplatz and Bautzner Straße on the right Elbe bank. In 1745, the land was parcelled out and most present-day streets laid, many defining houses arose during the late 19th-century boom. The district was barely hit during the Dresden air raids. Its cohesive Gründerzeit architecture is among Germany's largest of its kind and is heritage protected.Today, Äußere Neustadt is the city's scene and nightlife quarter. Alaunstraße and Louisenstraße host most pubs, bars, cafés, and small shops; many facades are painted. Since 1990, the district annually hosts the Bunte Republik Neustadt, East Germany's largest district festival. Tram lines 3, 6, 7, 8, 11 serve Albertplatz (south edge); line 13 runs through the scene quarter (Bischofsplatz to Hoyerswerdaer Straße).
    Loschwitz & Blasewitz

    Loschwitz & Blasewitz

    Loschwitz on the right and Blasewitz on the left Elbe bank have been connected since 1893 by the Loschwitzer Bridge, which everyone simply calls the Blue Wonder. Loschwitz was first mentioned in 1227 and was long a wine-growing village. On former vineyards on the Elbe slope today stand the three Elbe Castles Albrechtsberg, Lingnerschloss, and Schloss Eckberg. Friedrich Schiller lived from 1785 to 1787 in the Schillerhäuschen. Blasewitz developed into a villa suburb during the Gründerzeit. Both places have belonged to Dresden since 1921.From Körnerplatz in Loschwitz, two historic mountain railways ascend to the Elbe heights: the funicular to Weißer Hirsch and the suspension railway to Oberloschwitz, whose top station has a viewing tower. Down by the river, you can stroll across the Elbe meadows. Bus lines 61, 63, and 84 run to Körnerplatz, and tram lines 6 and 12 to Schillerplatz in Blasewitz. From there, you walk across the Blue Wonder.
    Pillnitz

    Pillnitz

    Pillnitz is located about 15 kilometers upstream from the city center on the right bank and has been part of Dresden since 1950. From 1720, August the Strong commissioned a summer residence here according to plans by Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann and Zacharias Longuelune: the Water Palace with its grand staircase to the Elbe and the Mountain Palace, both with Chinoiserie-style roofs, with the Baroque pleasure garden in between. The Neoclassical New Palace was built between 1819 and 1826, after the old Renaissance castle had burned down in 1818. Viticulture has been documented in Pillnitz since 1403.In the palace park, you'll find the English and Chinese Pavilions, the year-round open Palm House, and the over 230-year-old Pillnitz Camellia, which blooms from February to April. The Water and Mountain Palaces house the Museum of Decorative Arts, while the Palace Museum in the New Palace is open from late March to early November. You can get there by bus 63, by tram line 2 to the final stop and then by ferry across the Elbe, or by paddle steamer of the Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt, which docks directly at the palace.