Dresden

Already in stone age were existing colony at this river Elbe. At the end of the 15th century Dresden was made seat of government by the Wettin dynasty.

The city was known as the Jewel Box, because of its baroque and rococo city centre. The bombing of Dresden in World War II destroyed the entire city centre.

Dresden's Frauenkirche is one of the most remarkable reconstruction projects. Completed in 1743, the spectacular Baroque original was considered one of the most beautiful churches in Europe.

Topping it all - and as a symbol of international goodwill - is a gold cross provided by Great Britain, whose bomb had wrought much of the devastation.

The Zwinger is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Germany. 

These are the Dresden Porcelain Collection, scientific instruments in the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments, and the Old Masters Picture Gallery. 

Georgenbau was the original city exit to the Elbe Bridge and the first of the city's many Renaissance buildings.

The famous Fürstenzug (the Procession of Princes) is a 102-meter-long portrait of the Dukes and Kings of the house of Wettin, together with leading German figures.