“Florence on the Elbe” is easily accessible from Poland. That’s why tourists love it
This city full of baroque pearls lies close to the border with Poland and is called “Florence on the Elbe”. What attractions can we find there?
Traveling abroad doesn’t always have to be long distances. Sometimes it is worth looking for inspiration for your next trip in countries neighboring Poland. Behind our western border we will find a city called “Florence on the Elbe”. Polish travel agencies also encourage people to visit it because of its association with the cradle of the Italian Renaissance.
Dresden sightseeing. Baroque pearls and the history of destruction
We’re talking about Dresden. It is called “Florence on the Elbe” due to its location on the river and its wonderful architecture, although the buildings here mainly represent the Baroque style, i.e. the post-Renaissance era. For many Poles, the capital of Saxony brings to mind the destruction of World War II. Although the city was ruined during carpet bombing in 1945, its most important monuments were rebuilt years ago and made available to tourists and, in the case of churches, to the faithful. Tourists can choose from thirty-seven museums and forty galleries.
The top attractions of this city are:
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Lock. It is home to the largest collection of treasures in Europe. The Wettyn residence burned down in 1945, but was rebuilt. It has been open to the public since 2004.
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Church of Our Lady in Dresden – a baroque building with a magnificent, huge dome. It was rebuilt in 2005.
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The Zwinger architectural complex – the inspiration for its creation was the palace in Versailles. The attentive can look out for Polish and Saxon accents, e.g. the monogram of King Augustus II on the facade of the Embankment Pavilion. There is also an important museum inside – the Old Masters Painting Gallery with the famous painting, “Sistine Madonna” by Rafael Santi.
“Florence on the Elbe”. Cheaper by train from Poland
Brühl’s Terraces – a walking promenade running along the Elbe – are available to everyone. They offer a wonderful view of the river and buildings, and you can also relax on the benches.
We can reach Dresden by train from Wrocław or directly by Flixbus. Moreover, Koleje Dolnośląskie offers the Dresden Promotion. To use it, you must start your journey in Poland, on one of two routes: Wrocław Główny – Dresden or Jelenia Góra – Dresden.
In the run-up to Christmas, the city is worth visiting the delightful Christmas market.
