History of Dresden

Dresden is an ancient city that retains much of its fabulous wealth of architecture despite the heavy bombing during WWII. It has prospered well throughout the ages and is now one of the top destinations in the former Eastern bloc.

Early days

Dresden was founded in 1206, yet it basically remained a backwater until the late 15th century, when it became the capital of the Dukes of Saxony. The city continued to grow at a significant rate from this date and became a leading cultural centre in the 1600s. It was most noted in history during the reign of Frederick Augustus I (Augustus II of Poland) from 1694 to 1733.

Industrial prowess and war

It was at this time that alchemist John Friedrich Böttger made it possible to make porcelain using the Meissen porcelain technique, which negated the need to import porcelain from Asia and helped the city gain in prominence. Many fine buildings were constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries and after the Seven Years' War (1756 to 1763), the city was partially rebuilt and beautified, which led to it being labelled as ‘the Florence on the Elbe’.

After the military shenanigans of Napoleon and the turn of the 19th century, Dresden rose in prominence industrially and was a thriving powerhouse well into the 20th century until Allied bombers destroyed 80 per cent of the city in 1945.

Reconstruction

The rebuilding of Dresden began after the war to bring the city’s wonderful structures back up to par. The Zwinger Palace was the first to be reborn and was meticulously rebuilt, re-opening in 1965. Saxony was split into three regions in the early 1950s and Dresden became the regional capital, but it wasn’t until 1990 when many of the federal structures were rebuilt, that Dresden was proclaimed Capital of the Free State of Saxony.

Other major renovation works took place on the Baroque Frauenkirche and the Altmarkt, while a new synagogue was built in 2001, to replace the flattened Semper synagogue.

Present day Dresden

Dresden has benefited most with its look since the German reunification in 1989, with the construction and conservation of many grand buildings and the modernisation of its transport infrastructure. Still retaining its title of Capital of the Free State of Saxony, Dresden continues to prosper and is a major tourist destination for people wanting to take a glimpse of the former Eastern Bloc and of its fantastic architecture and attractions.