▲ Mathematics-Physics Salon Fun collection of old-time clocks, calculators, automatons, and other scientific gadgets in the Zwinger palace. Saxon Switzerland National Park Unique rocky landscape located 40 minutes outside Dresden by train, featuring the fairy-tale Bastei Bridge. The factory is so politically correct that parts are brought in by special "cargo trams" that congest the city's traffic less than trucks do. The train pulled into Dresden Neustadt — Dresden's New Town. I hopped on. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Germany’s Dresden and Leipzig Saxony, part of the former East Germany, remains a secret to most travelers. Rick Steves Best of Germany includes lightly condensed coverage of Rothenburg, the Romantic Road, and the Rhine, as well as brief coverage of Frankfurt, Würzburg, Cologne, and the Mosel Valley's Burg Eltz — enough for a quick trip. By Baroque times, fortresses were no longer necessary, and this became one of Europe's most charming promenades. Today's Dresden is a young and vibrant city, crawling with proud locals and happy-go-lucky students who barely remember communism. ▲ Turkish Chamber Augustus the Strong's impressive collection of Turkish swag, housed within the Royal Palace. Rick visits the two great cities of the region: the capital city of Dresden, with the opulent palaces and art treasures of the Wettin dynasty, and Leipzig, with its Bach heritage, a massive monument to the day Europe beat Napoleon, and museums remembering its communist heritage. This time we're in Saxony — the great cities of Dresden and Leipzig. Until Americans rediscover Dresden, you'll feel like you're in on a secret. They're absolutely dazzling, and a clear reminder that those Wettins were a powerhouse in their day (they're also popular, and with a limited number of visitors allowed every half-hour, it's smart to reserve ahead). The Wettins' Meissen was the first. Join writer and host Rick Steves as he experiences the local culture, cuisine, and fun in some of Europe's most interesting places. ▲▲ Old Masters Gallery Grand collection of paintings in the Zwinger Palace featuring top pieces from the most prominent late Gothic and Renaissance masters. From Baroque palaces to stunning modern skyscrapers, and from riverside promenades to rowdy beer halls, these cities are wonderful places to explore the country's fascinating culture. As I tell travelers in lectures: "Many towns have more than one train station.". I left the shelter of my guide's umbrella to get a closer look at the glockenspiel. Saxony, part of the former East Germany, remains a secret to most travelers. I thought I knew the best crown jewels...until I saw the glittering Wettin jewels in Dresden's Historic Green Vault. In this special, travel expert Rick Steves explores five of Germany's most important cities: Hamburg, Dresden, Leipzig, Frankfurt and Nürnberg. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, ▲ Porcelain Collection Also in the Zwinger, the world's largest array of decorative ceramics, with enough variety and sheer artistry to interest just about anyone. Rick visits the two great cities of the region: the capital city of Dresden, with the opulent palaces and art treasures of the Wettin dynasty, and Leipzig, with its Bach heritage, a massive monument to the day Europe beat Napoleon, and museums remembering its communist heritage. Saxony is a proud region of Germany with a long and rich history. Series: Rick Steves' Europe Germany's Dresden and Leipzig. Terms of Service | Privacy. wgbh GBH 2 12/29 00:30: Saxony, part of the former East Germany, remains a secret to most travelers. Rick Steves' Europe. Intriguing Dresden, Germany, winds … Terms of Service | Privacy, Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in Germany, Music Appreciation for Travel: Part II The lovely Zwinger palace complex in Dresden. Photo: Rick Steves 3 of 3 Rick Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Find everything you need for packing — and planning your dream trip to Europe. So did I. wmvs CREATE 10/19 10:00: Saxony, part of the former East Germany, remains a secret to most travelers. The message of hope and renewal and the participation of the world in the reconstruction was inspiring. The Wettins taught the rest of Europe's royal courts the art and importance of having their own porcelain works. The interior is stunning: pastel to heighten the festive nature of the worship, curvy balconies to enhance the feeling of community, and with seven equal doors — to welcome all equally and send worshippers out symbolically to all corners to share their enthusiasm for their faith. (photo: Cameron Hewitt) Dresden’s restored Frauenkirche is the heart and soul of … see our FAQ. I got on it and finally made it to my intended station: Dresden Hauptbahnhof — a block from my hotel. Furthermore it is independent from huge hotel chains, which guarantees the best price when you book with us direct as confirmed by Hotel Price Reporter and a unique atmosphere whilst spending time in Dresden. He loved being portrayed with the rose of Luther (symbol of the Protestant movement in Germany) being crushed under his horse's hoof. Dresden's 310-foot-tall Church of Our Lady was destroyed during the massive Allied bombings that flattened two-thirds of the city on February 13, 1945. Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the best of Europe. At exactly 10:15 a.m. in the courtyard of the Zwinger palace complex in Dresden, 40 Meissen porcelain bells began a sweet three-minute melody. Rick visits the two great cities of the region: the capital city of Dresden, with the opulent palaces and art treasures of the Wettin dynasty, and Leipzig, with its Bach heritage, a massive monument to the day Europe beat Napoleon, and museums remembering its communist heritage. Rick Steves' Europe | Episode | Germany's Dresden and Leipzig. After circling the big block — and pretty embarrassed at my mistake — I pondered cutting my losses and just taking a taxi to my hotel in the Old Town. Saxony, part of the former East Germany, remains a secret to most travelers. Rick visits the two great cities of the region: the capital city of Dresden, with the opulent palaces and art treasures of the Wettin dynasty, and Leipzig, with its Bach heritage, a massive monument to the day Europe beat Napoleon, and museums remembering its communist heritage. ▲▲ Albertinum Paintings and sculpture from the Romantic era through present day, with big-name works clustered in the New Masters Gallery. I was mesmerized by this little royal trick. Rick visits the two great cities of the region: the capital city of Dresden, with the opulent palaces and art treasures of the Wettin dynasty, and Leipzig, with its Bach heritage, a massive monument to the day Europe beat Napoleon, and museums remembering its communist heritage. Five minutes later we arrived. Rick visits the two great cities of the region: the capital city of Dresden, with the opulent palaces and art treasures of the Wettin dynasty, and Leipzig, with its Bach heritage, a massive monument to the day Europe beat Napoleon, and museums remembering its communist heritage. After a day in Dresden, the frustrating start was a distant memory. Rick's guides are … ▲▲ Royal Armory Impressive display of some of Europe's finest medieval armor, much of it posed to make it easy to imagine these suits and lances in action, plus one of Europe's largest historic coin collections. Saxony, part of the former East Germany, remains a secret to most travelers. Great Sights and New Insights in Dresden By Rick Steves. And I had a new appreciation of a city that nearly 70 years ago lay in smoldering rubble, 25 years ago was in a USSR-imposed economic hole, and today has caught up with Western Germany. Another train came in a few minutes. The first is a reminder that for all our expenses traveling, a good guide book is a bargain. I like the fact that it only has a population of 200,000 vs 500,000 in Dresden. For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, My visit to Dresden had started rocky. ▲▲ Military History Museum Germany's largest museum, covering more than 800 years of Germanic war-making with a focus on understanding of the costs of violence. Prager Strasse Classic Communist-era promenade connecting the main train station the middle of town. The first is a reminder that for all our expenses traveling, a good guide book is a bargain. Today's Dresden is an intriguing and fun city, filled with proud locals, cheery visitors, and students. ▲ New Town and Outer New Town Stately, never-bombed neighborhood of restaurants and shops just across the river from the Old Town, with an edgy, proudly counter-cultural district stretching north from Albertplatz. The Wettin Dynasty ruled Saxony from Dresden for eight centuries, right up until the end of the World War I. Rick Steves Classroom Europe® is a free online video library for teachers, students, and parents. Germany's Dresden and Leipzig. Season 9 Episode 2 | 25m | Video has closed captioning. The intriguing and fun city of Dresden, Germany, winds up on far fewer American itineraries than it deserves to. Rick visits the two great cities of Saxony: the capital city of Dresden and Leipzig We were missing our usual Rick Steves recommendations for lodging however..ended up in a big box hotel. Then I realized I was on a Dresden high. Don't make that mistake. A short afternoon in Dresden, Germany on my Rick Steves' Tour. ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Rick Steves takes us to two of them - Dresden and Leipzig - showing us highlights of each. 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