Inner New 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.

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.

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 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 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.