DRESDEN is a city of contrasts. In the 18th century the duke August the Strong turned Dresden into a baroque residence. In the late days of WW II the city centre was completely destroyed by an allied bomb attack. After that, parts of the town were rebuild according to socialist architecture and urban planning principles. Every single one of these epochs left their visible traces with remarkable buildings in the city.

The city seems to be on a ongoing search for its real identity. The last years were dominated by a period of (baroque) reconstruction. The rebuilt Frauenkirche can be seen as key project, causing a real historical hype. Meanwhile the main shopping street from the socialist period is being remodelled by adding new contemporary retail architecture. Not far from the former socialist computer industries of Robotron, a car factory for luxury limousines has been built in the middle of the town. Car manufacturing is not longer to be seen as a dirty production process, but is exposed explicitly as part of the urban life and its status symbols.

We invite you to visit Dresden with us: ArchEX organises custom made architecture tours for groups in this beautiful and contradictory city. For more information and a free offer, please contact us