Dresden Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Dresden

Dresden was likely settled on the banks of the River Elbe by Neolithic tribes as far back as 7,500 BC. But it also has a long and storied history as the long-time capital of Saxony. The Electors and Kings lived here for centuries, appointing the city with every cultural and artistic treasure.

Its modern form--and its name--comes from early Germanic people, who expanded East to mine the Ore Mountains. The Margraviate of Meissen, a territory of the Holy Roman Empire, was here. Dresden became its capital in 1270, the name deriving from an Old Sorbian word meaning "people of the forest" or "dense forest."

Dresden became the capital of Saxony around 1500. In 1697, King Augustus II the Strong began bringing many of Europe's best artists and musicians to the city, thus beginning the city's emergency as a cultural center.

Many of the baroque landmarks you will see were built during this period, including Church of Our Lady and the Zwinger Royal Palace. Augustus also rebuilt the Dresden Castle. You can get a feel for the history of Saxony and the Kings that ruled it at the Procession of Princes.

The city was bombed heavily by the Allied Forces during World War II. The bombings leveled the inner city.

The Soviet Red Army occupied the city after the war. The overall economic situation of East Germany meant that not much rebuilding occurred. In fact, the city was so heavily damaged from the war that it took until 1977 before the last of the debris clearance teams had finished.

Dresden did, however, become a major industrial center for the East Germany. Thankfully, since reunification in the early 1990s, the city has seen a boom in reconstruction. Many renewals and reconstructions you'll see, such as New Market Square and the restored Church of Our Lady, have occurred since.

Today, the city is a beautiful modern Germany city--full of fascinating history and tastes of Europe. Join us as we stroll the streets and catch the best sights.