Dresden is a city located in the Free State of Saxony in Germany near the border of the Czech Republic, and has a population of just over 523,000 people. Dresden has a rich history that spans World War 2 and the reunification of Germany. Dresden is filled with beautiful architecture and wonderful culture that makes the city such a great place to visit.
Frederick Augustus I, the ruler of Saxony, gathered all of the great European artists and musicians to Dresden during his reign. This is how Dresden became one of the cultural leaders of all of the cities across Europe. In the mid 1700′s, Dresden would be captured by the Prussians during the Seven Years War. The city would be heavily destroyed during this time. Throughout the 19th century, Dresden would be the site of major battles in several wars including the Napoleonic Wars and German Revolution. Dresden would become the capital of the Free State of Saxony in the early 20th century and it still remains the capital today.
Dresden was bombed repeatedly during World War II and was eventually completely destroyed. After its destruction, the city became a hideout for refugees and wounded soldiers. Dresden was rebuilt after the war and once again became a industrial and cultural center in East Germany. While many parts of Dresden have been rebuilt since the war, there is still a lot of repairs that are still required. Since the unification of Germany, the German government has continued to try to build Dresden back up. Some of the ruins from the bombings still remain and are one of the most visited attractions in the city.
The weather in Dresden can be rather cold, which makes the summer months the best time to visit the city. The summer months of June, July and August will generally have high temperatures around 21 or 22 °C. Summer in Dresden is filled with beautiful weather that is warmer than most of the country. The temperatures several drop during the rest of the year in the city. The months of November, December, January, February and March will usually not see the high temperatures get out of the single digits. This means that most of the day is spent at or below freezing.
The two most popular museums in Dresden are the Old Masters Picture Gallery and the Green Vault. The Old Masters Picture Gallery contains artwork from the 15th century to the 18th century. Most of the art on display is from prominent Italian painters, but German and other European painters are also on display. The museum is owned by the State of Saxony and receives over 500,000 visitors each year.
