A Walk Through Dresden's Historic Old Town (Self Guided), Dresden

Dresden’s reputation as a city of art and architecture has earned it the nickname “Florence on the Elbe.”

Dresden, the capital of Saxony, lies on the banks of the River Elbe in eastern Germany. The area may have been settled by Neolithic communities as early as 7500 BC, but Dresden’s documented history begins much later. The city developed within the Margraviate of Meissen, a territory of the Holy Roman Empire, and became its capital around 1270. The name Dresden is generally thought to derive from the Old Sorbian Dreždany, meaning “people of the forest” or referring to a dense forest, reflecting the region’s early Slavic heritage.

By around 1500, Dresden had become the capital of Saxony and the principal residence of the Wettin dynasty. Its rulers lived here for centuries, filling the city with artistic and cultural treasures. Dresden’s golden age began in 1697, when Augustus II the Strong became King of Poland and brought leading artists, architects and musicians from across Europe to his court. Many of the landmarks you see today date from this period, including the Zwinger, Church of Our Lady and Dresden Castle. The Procession of Princes provides a fascinating visual introduction to Saxony’s ruling dynasty.

Dresden suffered repeated destruction over the centuries, but nothing compared with the Allied bombing raids of February 1945, which devastated the historic centre. After the war, the city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army and became part of East Germany. Reconstruction was slow, and the removal of wartime debris continued until 1977. Dresden nevertheless developed into an important industrial centre of the German Democratic Republic.

Since German reunification in 1990, Dresden has undergone a remarkable revival. Today, the city combines magnificent Baroque architecture, modern neighbourhoods and reminders of its turbulent 20th-century history, making it one of Germany’s most fascinating cities to explore.

Walking through Dresden’s Old Town reveals a remarkable concentration of Baroque architecture and royal heritage. Start at New Market Square and the magnificent Church of Our Lady, then continue towards Brühl’s Terrace, the “Balcony of Europe,” for sweeping views over the Elbe. Along the way, explore the Procession of Princes, a spectacular porcelain-tile mural depicting Saxony’s rulers. Together, these sights offer a glimpse into Dresden’s transformation from a royal Baroque capital to a city devastated in 1945 and remarkably rebuilt.

As you explore, keep the nickname “Florence on the Elbe” in mind. By the end of your walk, you’ll have seen not only the art and architecture that inspired the comparison, but also the remarkable story of how Dresden reclaimed its beauty from the ruins.