Dresden Germany City Information • Tourism is a major business • Located in the state of Saxony • Allied bombing during World War II destroyed 90% of the city • Currently one of the greenest cities in Europe, with 63% of the land covered in trees More Information • Located on the Elbe River, forcing the city to be structured around flood prevention • Important cultural city, containing the Semperoper (city opera house), as well as historical sites such as the Frauenkirche • Public transportation is cheap and easily accessible Frauenkirche • Frauenkirche = Church of Our Lady • Protestant Church with a statue of Martin Luther in front • Was completely destroyed during WWII bombings, but has since been rebuilt • pictures show light and dark stones-the dark stones are part of the original architecture Frauenkirche • The chuch is open to tourists daily, but the wait is long • cost to get in: 10 Euro • Worth it? Yes!! Martin Luther stands in front of the church Street Artists • Many people pose as characters during the day and ask for donations • You can take pictures with these people, but it will cost you! They expect donations. • People dress up as specific historical figures or general characters Entertainment • The Semperoper was built by the kings of Saxony in the 17th century • It has since been restored, but many operas are performed here weekly. Tickets are cheaper on week day nights and Sunday afternoons. Grünes Gewölbe • Translates to “Green Vault” • Houses the largest collection of treasures in Europe • Many rooms with different themes house historical artifacts and artwork History • Many buildings still show signs of being bombed. • Buildings have black at the tops from the fire bombings or have obviously rebuilt parts.