A DDR Nostalgia: Dresden

Trabby

This beautiful city is the capital of the upper Saxony and it was a part of DDR before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Dresden is situated on Elbe River side. It was my first long trip to an old east-german city.

Dresden has been the city of art. The baroque distric, old city of Dresden reflects the old glorious times of Saxony. One can see statues of workers from communistic times spread around the old classical statues in parks. Although some beton blocks rise among the 17th-18th century churches, palaces, the texture of the city is quite well preserved.

Frauenkirche

The most famous image of the city is the Frauenkirche. This 18th century masterpiece of arcitecture was totally destroyed during the second world war. After the unification of Germany it was rebuilt. With the old original black stone pieces embedded into the new limestone walls, Frauenkirche recalls its reincarnetion.

There are restaurants and bars among the street from the church to the terraces near the Elbe. From the terraces, the night view of the old city is really worth to see.

Following an insider tip I got from Nina, we went to see the new city. This contemporary part of the city lies on the other side of Elbe. Thanks to all day long running trams, the transportation between the two sides of the river is quite well. Opposite to the old city, here the life starts by night. Even it was Sunday night, the streets were full with young people. With its huge technical univesity, Fraunhofer, Max Planck institutes and many R&D centers Dresden is the only ex-DDR city appeals the young educated people.

We tried to eat something at Schaune but it was full and we could find seats at the bar.

A large part of the Dresden castle, Zwinger including the old master's gallery (where Sistine Madonna of Raphael is exhibited) was under restoration. Then I made my way to the Green Vault where the largest treasures of Europe is exhibited. It was founded by Augustus II the Strong (1670 - 1733, elector of Saxony, king of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania). But my real goal was to see the Türckische Cammer. Weapons, otağs, üzengis and historical customs of Ottomans is a real feast for the eyes. The collection was started by Augustus II the Strong due to the collaboration of Ottomans and Saxons. Suleiman the Magnificent wanted Vienna and Augustus II the Strong wanted to be the emparor. Most of the pieces of the collection are the presents of Turks to their old allias. However, the allias was broken when Suleiman the Magnificent came to the skirts of Vienna. Because Augustus II the Strong was suppressed by the other Europen leaders and the Pope threatened him by dethroning him. Note for visitors: Take the long long ticket queue into account.

In the following days I met the guys from Les Houches. I took them to Schaune. This time we were lucky and got a table. The kitchen is mostly Indian, the prices are not cheap but still acceptable. One should be patient to reach the food, service is slow due to crowd. The guests are quite international and this place is very popular among the young adults. The restaurant is on the ground floor and there is a stage on the first floor, at nights there are live performances going on. The ceiling of the bar is totally covered with mistleoes. The story tells one can kiss a girl if there is a mistleoes is hanging above. That's why mistleoes is everywhere at X-mas. Well, this is a story, try it at your own risk.

After having dinner we went to Groove Station which lies few hundreds meters down. That was a nice place to have a drink and play mini football, as a tradition from Les Houches.

Another attraction of the Neustadt is the charming Kunsthof-Passage.
There are a number of coctail bars, arts & hand crafts, second hand and book shops in the passage. But the characteristic of the passage is the creative design of the passage itself.

I took the way down to Bautzner Strasse to find the most beautiful dairy of the world. That's how they call Pfunds Molkerei. Although the company does no more production, the dairy is a touristic attraction with its history and renovated Villeroy&Boch majolicas.

Last night I dined at Brennnessel. This restaurant is at 10-15 minutes walking distance from the Zwinger. However, this quarter is far from the touristic rush of the old city. The menu is fully vegetarian and delicious. I recommend Gebackener Schafskäse-baked sheep chease. At late hours the musicians of the concert haus came to dime with their instruments, too.

I wish I could visit Sächsische Schweiz, too. But it was still cold in the middle of March and the possibility of running into some skinheads-although during my more than 4 years stay in Germany I have never met any of them, they warned me some of them are still alive-at rural part of the east Germany stopped me.

So, I enjoyed Dresden. Until next time!