Dresden - the Ideal City for Studying

The city boasts an abundance of cultural highlights. The Semper Opera House, the Baroque “Zwinger”, the “Frauenkirche” (Church of Our Lady) and the State Art Collections are all famous. Dresden’s museums offer visitors diverse collections and special exhibitions; at the same time, the modern aspects of this vibrant city are embodied in a number of contemporary art galleries, a whole string of small experimental theatres and numerous art house cinemas. On the northern bank of the River Elbe, opposite the historical old town, lies one of Dresden’s most famous districts: the Neustadt (New Town), with its many pubs, bars and restaurants.

The art treasures in the museums know almost no bounds: Raphael’s “Sistine Madonna” in the Old Masters Picture Gallery can be marvelled at, as can the precious exhibits of the royal treasury, the “Green Vault”. Dresden’s museum landscape is characterised by many more museums, showcasing, among other eras, early history, the Baroque period and the modern age.

Variety is provided by traditional theatre such as the Staatsschauspiel (State Theatre) Dresden, Gottfried Semper’s magnificent Opera House, and also by contemporary arts in all their facets presented at the “Festspielhaus Hellerau” (Hellerau Festival House) and by a wide variety of private stage companies, political revues and puppet theatres.

Dresden is a city of music. Two orchestras of international standing, the “Sächsische Staatskapelle” (Saxon State Orchestra) and the “Dresdner Philharmonie”, are based here. And it is not only classical music that you will find in Dresden. The city is also well-known among jazz fans throughout the whole of Germany.

Cinema lovers are in for a treat in Dresden. The film nights on the banks of the Elbe are among the most popular open air highlights in the city during the summer months. Regular film series and festivals also feature in the calendar of events.

It is not only the city of Dresden itself that has a lot to offer – the immediate surroundings also provide destinations for pleasurable trips. The Elbe Sandstone Mountains of the “Sächsische Schweiz” (Saxon Switzerland), with their impressive rock formations and castles are especially popular for leisure pursuits such as hiking or climbing.

Pillnitz Castle and its park are among the most beautiful destinations in the region around Dresden, elegantly fusing architecture and nature in the Baroque style.

The hunting lodge, “Fasanenschlösschen” (Little Pheasant Castle), lighthouse, wildlife reserve and many more attractions can be explored in Moritzburg, only a few kilometres away from Dresden.

For nature lovers, we recommend a visit to the Forest Botanical Garden in Tharandt, the Botanical Garden in Dresden, the “Boselgarten” near Meissen or the Botanical Collections in Pirna-Zuschendorf. All four gardens are institutions of Technische Universität Dresden.