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Dresden is the capital city of the German Federal Free State of Saxony. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe. Dresden has a long history as the capital and royal residence for the Kings of Saxony, who for centuries furnished the city with extraordinary cultural and artistic splendor. The controversial Bombing of Dresden in World War II and 40 years of GDR changed the face of the city dramatically. Attractions

Museums, presentations and collections

Dresden hosts the Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden (Dresden State Art Collections) which is one of the world's most important museums and collections. The art collections consist of eleven museums of which the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister and the Grünes Gewölbe are the best known. The art collection is owned by the Free State of Saxony and mostly uses the Zwinger Palace and Dresden Castle. Some of the museums, such as the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon, exhibit art within the context of technology, such as precious globes, measuring equipment and chronographs which are artistically formed and perfect in function.
Other museums and collections owned by the Free State of Saxony in Dresden are:

• The Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte (State Museum of Prehistory)
• The Staatliche Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden (State Collection of Natural History)
• The Museum für Völkerkunde Dresden (Museum of Ethnology)
• The "Universitätssammlung Kunst + Technik" (Collection of Art and Technology of the Dresden University of Technology)
• Verkehrsmuseum Dresden (Transport Museum)

Architecture

Although Dresden is often said to be a Baroque city, its architecture is influenced by more than one style. Other eras of importance are the Rennaissance and Historism as well as the contemporary styles of Modernism and Postmodernism.
The royal buildings are among the most impressive buildings in Dresden. The Dresden castle was once the home of the royal household. The wings of the building have been renewed, built upon and restored many times. Due to this segued integration of styles, the castle is made up of elements of the Renaissance, Baroque and Classicist styles.
The Zwinger Palace is just on the other side of the road from the castle. It was built on the old stronghold of the city and was converted to a centre for the royal art collections and a place to hold festivals. Its gate (surmounted by a golden crown) by the moat is a very famous part of the building.
Another famous site is also on the former city wall: Brühl's Terrace was a gift to Heinrich, count von Brühl and became an ensemble of buildings. It was opened to the public in the 19th century; previously the whole area was closed off for the nobility. The ensemble includes the Albertinum, the Ständehaus and the Secundogenitur (home of the second son of the electors and kings).

Sculptures, monuments and fountains

There are about 300 fountains and springs in Dresden were they are often placed in parks or on squares. The wells only serve in a decorative function since there is a fresh water system in Dresden.
The Artesian aquifer at Albertplatz is the only spring in Dresden that is run all-the-year due to its warm water. It was planned to produce fresh water for the Neustadt districts. About 3900 litre per hour are flowing upwards the 240 metre depth well naturally by pressure.
The most famous sculpture in Dresden is the golden equestrian sculpture of August the Strong called the "Goldener Reiter" (Golden Cavalier) on the Neustädter Markt square. It shows August at the beginning of the Hauptstraße (Main street) on its way to Warsaw where he was King of Poland in personal union. Another sculpture is the memorial of Martin Luther in front of the Frauenkirche.

Others

• Kunsthofpassage in the Outer Neustadt
• Dresden Fair Ground in the New Slaughterhouses in the Ostragehege
• Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion and Heinz-Steyer-Stadion
• The Old Slaughterhouses
• Pfunds Molkerei
• Gasometer in Reick