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{{Short description|Capital city of Saxony, Germany}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Infobox German place
|name=Dresden
|German_name = <small>{{native name|sxu|Dräsdn}}</small> <br />
<small>{{native name|hsb|Drježdźany}}</small>
|type=City
|image_photo={{Multiple image
 |caption_align = center
 |border = infobox
 |total_width = 280
 |perrow = 1/2/2/2
 |image1 = Elberadweg-pano-DSC06346 Dresden Altstadt bei Nacht.jpg
 |caption1 = Dresden skyline with [[Elbe River]] at dusk
 |image2 =   100130 150006 Dresden Frauenkirche winter blue sky-2.jpg
 |caption2 = [[Frauenkirche, Dresden|Frauenkirche]]
 |image3 = HFBK Dresden 2024 Luftbild Toni Klemm 2500px.jpg
 |caption3 = [[Dresden Academy of Fine Arts|Academy of Fine Arts]]
 |image4 = Dresden Germany Exterior-of-Semperoper-02.jpg
 |caption4 = [[Semperoper]]
 |image5 = Dresden, Katholische Hofkirche -- 2023 -- 9410.jpg
 |caption5 = [[Dresden Cathedral]]
 |image6 = Dresden Germany Zwinger-01.jpg
 |caption6 = [[Zwinger (Dresden)|Zwinger]]
 |image7 = DD-Schloss-gp.jpg
 |caption7 = [[Dresden Castle]]
 }}
|image_flag=Flag of Dresden.svg
|image_coa=Dresden Stadtwappen.svg
|coordinates={{coord|51|03|00|N|13|44|24|E|type:city_region:DE-SN|display=it}}
|state=Saxony
|district=urban
|elevation=113
|area=328.8
|area_metro=<!-- Metropolitan area, in km². XXX.XX (no commas or other text) -->
<!--|population=536107 filled via Gemeindeschlüssel -->
|pop_metro=1343305<ref name="Eurostat"/>
|pop_urban=790400<ref name="citypopulation.de quoting Federal Statistics Office"/>
<!--|pop_ref=-->
|Gemeindeschlüssel = 14612000
|licence=DD
|divisions=<!-- Subdivisions within location (e.g. "XX districts" or boroughs) -->
|website={{URL|https://www.dresden.de/index_en.php|dresden.de}}
|mayor             = [[Dirk Hilbert]]<ref>[https://wahlen.sachsen.de/download/Buergermeister/statistik-sachsen_wahlen_buergermeister_uebersicht_aktuell.xlsx Gewählte Bürgermeisterinnen und Bürgermeister im Freistaat Sachsen, Stand: 17. Juli 2022], Statistisches Landesamt des Freistaates Sachsen.</ref>
|leader_term       = 2022&ndash;29
|party             = FDP
|Bürgermeistertitel= Oberbürgermeister
|ruling_party1=<!-- Leading political party currently in power – give abbreviations -->
|ruling_party2=<!-- second ruling political party – give abbreviations -->
|ruling_party3=<!-- third ruling political party – give abbreviations -->
| footnotes = {{designation list | embed=yes
   | designation1 = FORMERWHS
   | designation1_date = 2004 <small>(28th [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small>
   | designation1_offname = [[Dresden Elbe Valley]]
   | designation1_type = Cultural
   | designation1_criteria = ii, iii, iv, v
   | designation1_number = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1156 1156]
   | designation1_free1name = Region
   | designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe]]
   | designation1_free2name = Delisted
   | designation1_free2value = 2009 <small>(33rd [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small>
   }}
}}

'''Dresden''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|r|ɛ|z|d|ən}}; {{IPA|de|ˈdʁeːsdn̩|lang|De-Dresden-pronunciation.ogg}}; [[Upper Saxon German|Upper Saxon]]: ''Dräsdn''; {{langx|hsb|Drježdźany}}, {{IPA|hsb|ˈdʁʲɛʒdʒanɨ|pron}}) is the capital city of the [[States of Germany|German state]] of [[Saxony]] and its second most populous city after [[Leipzig]]. It is the [[List of cities in Germany by population|12th most populous city]] of Germany, the fourth largest by area (after [[Berlin]], [[Hamburg]], and [[Cologne]]), and the third-most populous city in the area of former [[East Germany]], after Berlin and Leipzig. Dresden's urban area comprises the towns of [[Freital]], [[Pirna]], [[Radebeul]], [[Meissen]], [[Coswig, Saxony|Coswig]], [[Radeberg]], and [[Heidenau]] and has around 790,000 inhabitants.<ref name="citypopulation.de quoting Federal Statistics Office">{{cite web|url=http://citypopulation.de/en/germany/urbanareas/|author=citypopulation.de quoting Federal Statistics Office|title=Germany: Urban Areas|access-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603133151/http://citypopulation.de/en/germany/urbanareas/|archive-date=3 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The Dresden metropolitan area has over 1.3 million inhabitants.<ref name="Eurostat">{{cite web|url=http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=met_pjanaggr3&lang=en|title=Population on 1 January by broad age group, sex and metropolitan regions|publisher=Eurostat|access-date=3 June 2020|archive-date=3 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203055500/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=met_pjanaggr3&lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

Dresden is the second largest city on the [[River Elbe]] after Hamburg. Most of the city's population lives in the [[Dresden Basin|Elbe Valley]], but a large, albeit very sparsely populated, area of the city east of the Elbe lies in the [[West Lusatian Hill Country and Uplands]] (the westernmost part of the [[Sudetes]]) and thus in [[Lusatia]]. Many boroughs west of the Elbe lie in the [[Ore Mountain Foreland]], as well as in the valleys of the rivers rising there and flowing through Dresden, the longest of which are the [[Weißeritz]] and the [[Lockwitzbach]]. The name of the city as well as the names of most of its boroughs and rivers are of [[Sorbian languages|Sorbian]] origin.

Dresden has a long history as the capital and royal residence for the [[Prince-Elector|Electors]] and [[Kingdom of Saxony|Kings of Saxony]], who for centuries furnished the city with cultural and artistic splendor, and was once by [[Personal union of Poland and Saxony|personal union]] the family seat of [[List of Polish monarchs|Polish]] monarchs. The city was known as the Jewel Box, because of its [[Baroque]] and [[Rococo]] city centre. The controversial American and British [[bombing of Dresden]] towards the end of [[World War II]] killed approximately 25,000 people, most of whom were civilians, and destroyed the entire city centre. After the war, restoration work has helped to reconstruct parts of the historic inner city.

Since [[German reunification]] in 1990, Dresden has once again become a cultural, educational and political centre of Germany.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shahroz |first=Ahmed |date=2025-07-04 |title=Dresden {{!}} Germany, Population, Bombing, & Map {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Dresden-Germany |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> The [[TU Dresden|Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden)]] is one of the 10 largest universities in Germany and part of the [[German Universities Excellence Initiative]]. The economy of Dresden and its agglomeration is one of the most dynamic in Germany and ranks first in Saxony.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dresden.de/de/wirtschaft/wirtschaftsstandort-dresden.php|title=Wirtschaftsstandort|last=Dresden|website=www.dresden.de|language=de|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206045800/https://www.dresden.de/de/wirtschaft/wirtschaftsstandort-dresden.php|archive-date=6 February 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is dominated by [[High tech|high-tech branches]], often called "[[Silicon Saxony]]". According to the [[Hamburg Institute of International Economics]] (HWWI) and [[Berenberg Bank]] in 2019, Dresden had the seventh best prospects for the future of all cities in Germany.<ref name="berenberg.de">{{cite web|url=https://www.berenberg.de/files/HWWI_Berenberg_Staedteranking_2019.pdf|title=HWWI/Berenberg-Städteranking 2019|website=berenberg.de|language=de|access-date=9 May 2020|archive-date=30 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730021540/https://www.berenberg.de/files/HWWI_Berenberg_Staedteranking_2019.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Dresden is one of the most visited cities in Germany with 4.7 million overnight stays per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xn--stdteranking-hcb.de/deutschland_dresden.php|title=Städteranking – Dresden Information und Lebensqualität|website=www.xn—stdteranking-hcb.de|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920115733/https://www.xn--stdteranking-hcb.de/deutschland_dresden.php|archive-date=20 September 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dresden.de/de/leben/stadtportrait/statistik/wirtschaft-finanzen/tourismus.php|title=Tourismus|last=Dresden|website=www.dresden.de|language=de|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=29 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529210613/https://www.dresden.de/de/leben/stadtportrait/statistik/wirtschaft-finanzen/tourismus.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Its most prominent building is the [[Dresden Frauenkirche|Frauenkirche]] located at the [[Neumarkt (Dresden)|Neumarkt]]. Built in the 18th century, the church was destroyed during World War II. The remaining ruins were left for 50 years as a war memorial, before being rebuilt between 1994 and 2005. Other famous landmarks include the [[Zwinger (Dresden)|Zwinger]], the [[Semperoper]] and [[Dresden Castle]]. Furthermore, the city is home to the [[Dresden State Art Collections]], originating from the collections of the Saxon electors in the 16th century. Dresden's [[Striezelmarkt]] is one of the largest [[Christmas market]]s in Germany and is considered the first genuine Christmas market in the world.<ref name="The German Way & More">{{cite web|url=https://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/christmas-markets-in-germany/|title=Christmas Markets in Germany and Europe|website=The German Way & More|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030102250/https://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/christmas-markets-in-germany/|archive-date=30 October 2019|access-date=30 October 2019}}</ref> Nearby sights include the National Park of [[Saxon Switzerland]], the [[Ore Mountains]] and the countryside around [[Elbe Valley]], [[Moritzburg Castle]] and [[Meissen]], home of [[Meissen porcelain]].

==History==
{{For timeline}}

The area had been settled in the [[Neolithic]] era by [[Linear Pottery culture]] tribes c. [[8th millennium BC|7500 BC]].<ref>Rengert Elburg: [https://www.academia.edu/1160390/Man-animal_relationships_in_the_Early_Neolithic_of_Dresden_Saxony_Germany_ Man-animal relationships in the Early Neolithic of Dresden (Saxony, Germany)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102022744/http://www.academia.edu/1160390/Man-animal_relationships_in_the_Early_Neolithic_of_Dresden_Saxony_Germany_ |date=2 January 2015 }}</ref> Dresden's founding and early growth is associated with the [[Ostsiedlung|eastward expansion of Germanic peoples]],<ref name="dresden.de-2">{{cite web|url=http://www.dresden.de/en/02/07/01/c_01.php|title=City of Dresden – Prehistoric times|website=dresden.de|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819200908/http://www.dresden.de/en/02/07/01/c_01.php|archive-date=19 August 2007}}. Retrieved 24 April 2007.</ref> mining in the nearby [[Ore Mountains]], and the establishment of the [[Margraviate of Meissen]]. Its name comes from [[Sorbian languages|Sorbian]] ''Drežďany''<ref name="Fritz Löffler">Fritz Löffler, ''Das alte Dresden'', Leipzig 1982, p.20</ref> (meaning either "woods" or "lowland forest-dweller"<ref>[[Ernst Eichler (Linguist)|Ernst Eichler]] und [[Hans Walther (Onomastiker)|Hans Walther]]: ''Sachsen. Alle Städtenamen und deren Geschichte.'' Faber und Faber Verlag, Leipzig 2007, {{ISBN|978-3-86730-038-4}}, S.&nbsp;54 f.</ref>). Dresden later evolved into the capital of [[Saxony]]. Beginning in the 17th century, it became one of Europe’s leading centres of culture and the arts.<ref name=clayton9>{{Cite book |last=Clayton |first=Anthony |title=Dresden: A City Reborn |chapter=Dresden, 1206–1918 |page=9 |publisher=Berg Publishers |editor-last=Russell |editor-first=Alan |editor2-last=Clayton |editor2-first=Anthony |location=United Kingdom |year=2001}}</ref>

===Early history===
Dresden developed as a German trading settlement on the south bank of the [[Elbe]], established by the Margrave of Meissen [[Dietrich, Margrave of Meissen|Dietrich]].<ref name=clayton9/> The first documentary evidence of Dresden dates to 1206.<ref name=clayton9/> That year, Dietrich chose Dresden as his interim residence, as documented in a 31 March record calling the place "Dresdene".<ref>{{cite book |last=Leisering |first=Eckhart |title= Acta sunt hec Dresdene...: die Ersterwähnung Dresdens in der Urkunde vom 31. März 1206 |publisher=Sächsisches Staatsarchiv |year=2005 |language=de}}</ref> In 1220, a stone bridge was constructed over the Elbe at the same location as today’s [[Augustus Bridge]].<ref name=clayton9/> The bridge connected the town with a [[Sorbs|Sorbian]] settlement called ''Drezdany'' on the northern bank.<ref name=clayton9/> It was known as ''Antiqua Dresdin'' by 1350, and later as Altendresden,<ref name="Fritz Löffler"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dresden.de/media/pdf/infoblaetter/historie_altendresden.pdf?PHPSESSID=3b1a560f5b42d55b28790331bf486b97|title=Geschichtlicher Hintergrund des Jubiläums – 600 Jahre Stadtrecht Altendresden|language=de|website=dresden.de|access-date=25 May 2007|archive-date=13 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313054253/http://www.dresden.de/media/pdf/infoblaetter/historie_altendresden.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> both literally "old Dresden".

Dresden was given to [[:de:Friedrich Clem|Friedrich Clem]] after the death of [[Henry III, Margrave of Meissen|Henry the Illustrious]] in 1288. It was taken by the [[Margraviate of Brandenburg]] in 1316 and was restored to the [[House of Wettin|Wettin]] dynasty after the death of [[Waldemar, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal|Valdemar the Great]] in 1319. In 1485, the Saxon Wettin brothers divided their lands under the [[Treaty of Leipzig]], with [[Ernest, Elector of Saxony|Ernest]] retaining the [[Prince-elector|Elector]] title and the western and northern territories, while [[Albert III, Duke of Saxony|Albert]] received the [[Meissen]] area and established Dresden as the capital of the {{ill|Duchy of Saxony (1485-1547)|lt=Duchy of Saxony|nl|Hertogdom Saksen (1485-1547)|fr|Duché de Saxe (1485-1547)|es|Ducado de Sajonia (1485-1547)}}.<ref name=clayton10>{{Cite book |last=Clayton |first=Anthony |title=Dresden: A City Reborn |chapter=Dresden, 1206–1918 |page=10 |publisher=Berg Publishers |editor-last=Russell |editor-first=Alan |editor2-last=Clayton |editor2-first=Anthony |location=United Kingdom |year=2001}}</ref> Following the [[Schmalkaldic War]], in 1547 [[Maurice, Elector of Saxony|Duke Moritz]] was granted the title of Elector and Dresden became the capital of the [[Electorate of Saxony]].

===Early modern age===
[[File:dresden 1521.jpg|thumb|left|Dresden in 1521]]

The [[Rulers of Saxony|Elector]] and ruler of Saxony [[Frederick Augustus I, Elector of Saxony|Frederick Augustus I]] became King Augustus II the Strong of [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|Poland]] in 1697. He gathered many of the best musicians,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earlymusicworld.com/id16.html|title=Dresden in the Time of Zelenka and Hasse|website=earlymusicworld.com|language=en|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710163436/http://earlymusicworld.com/id16.html|archive-date=10 July 2011|access-date=26 May 2007}}</ref> architects and painters from all over Europe to Dresden.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sachsen-tourismus.de/pl/regiony/regiony-i-miasta/drezno/|title=Drezno|language=pl|url-status=dead|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=28 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328155417/http://www.sachsen-tourismus.de/pl/regiony/regiony-i-miasta/drezno/}}</ref> His reign marked the beginning of Dresden's emergence as a leading European city for technology and art. During the reign of Elector Frederick Augustus I and his successor [[Frederick Augustus II, Elector of Saxony|Frederick Augustus II]] most of the city's [[Baroque architecture|baroque]] landmarks were built. These include the [[Zwinger (Dresden)|Zwinger Royal Palace]], the [[Japanisches Palais|Japanese Palace]], the [[Taschenbergpalais]], the [[Pillnitz Castle]] and the two landmark churches: the Catholic [[Dresden Cathedral|Hofkirche]] and the Lutheran [[Dresden Frauenkirche|Frauenkirche]]. In addition, significant art collections and museums were founded. Notable examples include the [[Dresden Porcelain Collection]], the [[Kupferstich-Kabinett, Dresden|Collection of Prints, Drawings and Photographs]], the [[Grünes Gewölbe]] and the [[Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon]]. Strengthening ties with Poland, postal routes to [[Poznań]], [[Toruń|Thorn]] (Toruń) and [[Warsaw]] were established under Augustus II the Strong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pocztowokurierski.pl/uslugi-pocztowe/szkice-z-historii-poczty/art,13,polska-poczta-w-dobie-saskiej-panowanie-augusta-ii-mocnego.html|title=Polska Poczta w dobie saskiej – panowanie Augusta II Mocnego|author=Rafał Zgorzelski|language=pl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531022507/http://www.pocztowokurierski.pl/uslugi-pocztowe/szkice-z-historii-poczty/art,13,polska-poczta-w-dobie-saskiej-panowanie-augusta-ii-mocnego.html|access-date=22 November 2023|archive-date=31 May 2016}}</ref>

In 1726, there was a riot for two days after a Protestant clergyman was killed by a soldier who had recently converted from Catholicism.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hl4vDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT366|title=A Magnificent Faith: Art and Identity in Lutheran German|last=Heal|first=Bridget|isbn=9780192522405|date=4 August 2017|publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=19 February 2019|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717010202/https://books.google.com/books?id=Hl4vDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT366|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1745, the [[Treaty of Dresden]] between Prussia, Saxony, and Austria ended the [[Second Silesian War]]. Only a few years later, Dresden suffered heavy destruction in the [[Seven Years' War]] (1756–1763), following its capture by Prussian forces, its subsequent re-capture, and a failed [[Siege of Dresden|Prussian siege]] in 1760. [[Friedrich Schiller]] completed his ''[[Ode to Joy]]'' (the literary base of the [[European anthem]]) in Dresden in 1785.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.friedrich-schiller-archiv.de/briefe-schillers/an-georg-goeschen/schiller-an-georg-goeschen-29-november-1785/ |title=Schiller an Georg Göschen, 29. November 1785 |website=Friedrich Schiller Archiv |date=20 August 2013 |language=de |trans-title=Schiller to Georg Göschen, 29 November 1785 |access-date=10 May 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803115920/https://www.friedrich-schiller-archiv.de/briefe-schillers/an-georg-goeschen/schiller-an-georg-goeschen-29-november-1785/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1793, preparations for the Polish [[Kościuszko Uprising]] started in the city by [[Tadeusz Kościuszko]] in response to the [[Second Partition of Poland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dzieje.pl/aktualnosci/rocznica-insurekcji-kosciuszkowskiej|title=Insurekcja Kościuszkowska - ostatnia próba ratowania Rzeczpospolitej|website=Dzieje.pl|access-date=22 November 2023|language=pl}}</ref>

===19th century===
[[File:Dresdner_Maiaufstand.jpg|thumb|left|The [[May Uprising in Dresden]] in 1849]]
In 1806, Dresden became the capital of the [[Kingdom of Saxony]] established by [[Napoleon]]. During the [[Napoleonic Wars]] the French Emperor made it a [[Headquarters|base of operations]], winning there the [[Battle of Dresden]] on 27 August 1813. As a result of the [[Congress of Vienna]], the Kingdom of Saxony became part of the [[German Confederation]] in 1815.

In 1828, the Technical School was founded, the predecessor of the present-day [[TU Dresden]] (Dresden University of Technology).<ref>{{cite web |title=Historical Development of the Technical University of Dresden |url=https://tu-dresden.de/ua/dokumentationen/historische-entwicklung-der-technischen?set_language=en |website=TU Dresden – University Archives |publisher=Technische Universität Dresden |access-date=26 March 2026}}</ref> In 1838, the [[Dresden Coinage Convention]] took place in the city which attempted to bring some degree of standardisation to the currencies used in the {{lang|de|[[Zollverein]]}} (German Customs Union). Steamboat transport on the Elbe was established in 1837, followed in 1839 by the opening of Dresden’s first railway, providing a direct connection to [[Leipzig]].<ref name=clayton22>{{Cite book |last=Clayton |first=Anthony |title=Dresden: A City Reborn |chapter=Dresden, 1206–1918 |page=22 |publisher=Berg Publishers |editor-last=Russell |editor-first=Alan |editor2-last=Clayton |editor2-first=Anthony |location=United Kingdom |year=2001}}</ref>

Dresden was a centre of the [[German revolutions of 1848–49|German Revolutions]] in 1848–1849. The [[May Uprising in Dresden|May Uprising]] saw rebel Saxon troops supported by students, democrats, miners, and workers declaring a provisional government at the Town Hall.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Clayton |first=Anthony |title=Dresden: A City Reborn |chapter=Dresden, 1206–1918 |pages=21–22 |publisher=Berg Publishers |editor-last=Russell |editor-first=Alan |editor2-last=Clayton |editor2-first=Anthony |location=United Kingdom |year=2001 }}</ref> During the street fighting the city’s first opera house was destroyed.<ref name=clayton22/> Prussian forces, aided by loyal Saxon troops, suppressed the revolt, leaving over 150 dead and many imprisoned.<ref name=clayton22/> The uprising forced [[Frederick Augustus II of Saxony]] to flee from Dresden, but he soon after regained control over the city with the help of Prussia.

In 1852, the population of Dresden grew to 100,000 inhabitants, making it one of the biggest cities within the German Confederation. Following the Polish uprisings of [[November Uprising|1831]], [[Greater Poland uprising (1848)|1848]] and [[January Uprising|1863]], many Poles fled to Dresden, including the artistic and political elite, such as composer [[Frédéric Chopin]], war hero [[Józef Bem]] and writer [[Adam Mickiewicz]].<ref name=ams>{{cite magazine|last=Sadowski|first=Aleksander Marek|year=2022|title=Sachsen und Polen – Tausend Jahre Nachbarschaft / Polska i Saksonia – tysiąc lat sąsiedztwa|magazine=Polonus|language=de,pl|location=Ostritz|issue=5|page=39|issn=2701-6285}}</ref> Mickiewicz wrote one of his greatest works, [[Dziady (poem)|''Dziady'', Part III]], there.<ref name=ams/>

[[File:Dresden photochrom2.jpg|thumb|Dresden during the 1890s. Landmarks include [[Dresden Frauenkirche]], [[Augustus Bridge]], and [[Katholische Hofkirche]].]]

As the capital of the Kingdom of Saxony, Dresden became part of the newly founded [[German Empire]] in 1871. In the following years, the city became a major centre of economy, including motor car production, food processing, banking and the manufacture of [[medical equipment]]. In the 1870s, [[Albertstadt]], a large military facility, was built.<ref>Rüdiger Nern, Erich Sachße, Bert Wawrzinek. ''Die Dresdner Albertstadt''. Dresden, 1994; ''Albertstadt&nbsp;– sämtliche Militärbauten in Dresden''. Dresden, 1880</ref>

===20th century===
In the early 20th century, Dresden was particularly well known for its camera works and its cigarette factories. During [[World War I]], the city did not suffer any war damage, but lost many of its inhabitants. Between 1918 and 1934, Dresden was the capital of the first [[Free State of Saxony (Weimar Republic)|Free State of Saxony]] as well as a cultural and economic centre of the [[Weimar Republic]]. The city was also a centre of European [[modern art]] until 1933.

After the [[Nazi seizure of power]], two book burnings were organised in the city in 1933, one by the [[Sturmabteilung|SA]] on Wettiner Platz, the second one by [[German Student Union]] at the [[Bismarck tower|Bismarck Column]] on Räcknitzhöhe.<ref>[https://tu-dresden.de/gsw/phil/ige/das-institut/news/gedenken-10-mai?set_language=en TU Dresden reflects on its history: Critical campus tour to commemorate the book burning 90 years ago]</ref>

From 1933 to 1945, the Jewish community of Dresden was reduced from over 6,000 (7,100 people were persecuted as Jews) to 41, mostly as a result of emigration, but later also deportation and murder.<ref>{{cite web|title=Names of Jewish victims of National Socialism in Dresden between 1933 and 1945|website=Stiftung Sächsische Gedenkstätten|url=https://en.stsg.de/cms/names-jewish-victims-dresden-1933-1945|access-date=20 July 2015|quote=Nearly two thirds of the Dresden Jews succeeded to emigrate before the extermination apparatus started to work.|archive-date=16 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416025207/https://en.stsg.de/cms/names-jewish-victims-dresden-1933-1945|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Dresden|website=Jewish Virtual Library|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0006_0_05398.html|access-date=20 July 2015|archive-date=26 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126063618/https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0006_0_05398.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Semper Synagogue]] was destroyed in November 1938 on [[Kristallnacht]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Image of Kristallnacht, 9th November 1938 - smashing windows, Dresden's Semper Synagogue |url=https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/noartistknown/kristallnacht-9th-november-1938-smashing-windows-dresden-s-semper-synagogue-is-destroyed/footage/asset/1274772 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Bridgeman Images |language=en}}</ref>

====Second World War====

During the [[German invasion of Poland]] at the start of [[World War II]], in September 1939, the [[Gestapo]] carried out mass arrests of local Polish activists.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Cygański|first=Mirosław|year=1984|title=Hitlerowskie prześladowania przywódców i aktywu Związków Polaków w Niemczech w latach 1939–1945|journal=Przegląd Zachodni|language=pl|issue=4|page=54}}</ref> Over 1,300 people were executed by the Nazis at the Münchner Platz, a courthouse in Dresden, including labour leaders, undesirables, and resistance fighters.<ref name=stsg>{{cite web |title = Victims of the National Socialist judiciary {{!}} Gedenkstätte Münchner Platz Dresden {{!}} Stiftung Sächsische Gedenkstätten |url=https://en.stsg.de/cms/node/775|website=en.stsg.de|access-date=20 July 2015|archive-date=16 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416025426/https://en.stsg.de/cms/node/775|url-status=live}}</ref> Around two-thirds of the executed individuals originated from the [[Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia]].<ref name=stsg/> The bombing stopped prisoners who were busy digging a large hole into which an additional 4,000 prisoners were to be disposed of.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dresden WW2 bombing raids killed 25,000 people – but it WASN'T a war crime|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dresden-ww2-bombing-raids-killed-5159536|access-date=20 July 2015|first=John|last=Nichol|website=[[Daily Mirror]]|date=13 February 2015|archive-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623112955/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dresden-ww2-bombing-raids-killed-5159536|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the war, Dresden was the location of several [[Forced labour under German rule during World War II|forced labour]] subcamps of the [[Stalag IV-A]] [[German prisoner-of-war camps in World War II|prisoner-of-war camp]] for [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] POWs,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Megargee|first1=Geoffrey P.|last2=Overmans|first2=Rüdiger|last3=Vogt|first3=Wolfgang|year=2022|title=The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos 1933–1945. Volume IV|publisher=Indiana University Press, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|page=413|isbn=978-0-253-06089-1}}</ref> and seven [[List of subcamps of Flossenbürg|subcamps]] of the [[Flossenbürg concentration camp]], in which some 3,600 men, women and children were imprisoned, mostly [[Nazi crimes against the Polish nation|Polish]], Jewish and Russian.<ref name=gf>{{cite web|url=https://www.gedenkstaette-flossenbuerg.de/en/history/subcamps|title=Subcamps|website=KZ-Gedenkstätte Flossenbürg|access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref> In April 1945, most surviving prisoners were sent on [[Death marches during the Holocaust|death marches]] to various destinations in Saxony and [[German-occupied Czechoslovakia]], whereas some women were probably murdered and some managed to escape.<ref name=gf/>

[[File:Fotothek df ps 0000010 Blick vom Rathausturm.jpg|thumb|upright 0.85|The ruins of Dresden in 1945. Facing south from the town hall (''Rathaus'') tower. Statue ''Güte'' (''Good'' or ''Kindness'') by August Schreitmüller, 1908–1910.]]

Dresden in the 20th century was a major communications hub and manufacturing centre with 127 factories and major workshops and was designated by the German military as a defensive strongpoint, with which to hinder the Soviet advance.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dresden-ww2-bombing-raids-killed-5159536 |title = Dresden WW2 bombing raids killed 25,000 people – but it WASN'T a war crime |last=Nichol|first=John|date=13 February 2015|website=mirror|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413040408/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dresden-ww2-bombing-raids-killed-5159536|url-status=live}}</ref> During the final months of the war, the city, in addition to its roughly 600,000 inhabitants, harboured some 300,000 refugees who had fled the [[Red Army]]'s advance into [[Silesia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dawsey |first=Jason |title=Apocalypse in Dresden, February 1945 |url=https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/apocalypse-dresden-february-1945 |website=The National WWII Museum |location=New Orleans, USA |date=13 February 2020 |access-date=12 May 2026}}</ref>

Dresden was attacked seven times between 1944 and 1945. The [[bombing of Dresden]] by the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) and the [[United States Army Air Forces]] (USAAF) between 13 and 15 February 1945 was controversial. On the night of 13–14 February 1945, 773 RAF Lancaster bombers dropped 1,181.6 tons of incendiary bombs and 1,477.7 tons of high explosive bombs. The inner city of Dresden was largely destroyed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/14/newsid_3549000/3549905.stm|title=1945: Thousands of bombs destroy Dresden|work=BBC News|date=14 February 1945|access-date=5 May 2009|archive-date=11 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811071519/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/14/newsid_3549000/3549905.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>([http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/feb45.html RAF Bomber Command 60th Anniversary – Campaign Diary February 1945] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607042346/http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/feb45.html|date=7 June 2007}})</ref> The Dresden Historians' Commission, made up of 13 prominent German historians, in an official 2010 report concluded that casualties numbered between 22,500 and 25,000.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8574157.stm |title = Up to 25,000 died in Dresden's WWII bombing |publisher=BBC|date=18 March 2010}}</ref>

The Allies described the operation as the legitimate bombing of a military and industrial target.<ref name="Air Force Historical Studies Office" /> Several researchers have argued that the February attacks were [[Proportionality (law)#International law|disproportionate]]. As a result of the bombings, mostly women and children died.<ref>Addison, Paul and Crang, Jeremy A. (eds.). Firestorm: The Bombing of Dresden. Pimlico, 2006. {{ISBN|1-84413-928-X}}. Chapter 9 p.194</ref> The Albertstadt garrison was not specifically targeted.<ref name="Air Force Historical Studies Office">{{cite web|url=http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/PopTopics/dresden.htm|title=Historical Analysis of the 14–15 February 1945 Bombings of Dresden|publisher=[[United States Air Force|Air Force Historical Studies Office]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817084455/http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/PopTopics/dresden.htm|archive-date=17 August 2010}} including a list of all bombings on the railway network (especially towards Bohemia).</ref><ref>Bergander, Götz. ''Dresden im Luftkrieg'': Vorgeschichte-Zerstörung-Folgen, p. 251 ff. Verlag Böhlau 1994, {{ISBN|3-412-10193-1}}</ref>

====Post-war====
After the war, Dresden became part of the [[Soviet occupation zone in Germany]]. The damage from Allied air raids was so extensive that a narrow-gauge light railway system was constructed to remove the debris. This seven-line railway system employed 5,000 staff and 40 locomotives. The last train remained in service until 1958, though the last debris clearance team was only disbanded in 1977.<ref name="Jähner-2019">{{cite book |last= Jähner |first= Harald |title= Aftermath: Life in the Fallout of the Third Reich 1945–1955 |location= London |publisher= W H Allen |date= 2019 |pages= 23, 28, 29 |type= Paperback |language= EN |isbn= 9780753557877}}</ref>

Dresden became a major industrial centre of the [[German Democratic Republic]] (East Germany), with a great deal of research infrastructure. It was the centre of [[Bezirk Dresden]] (Dresden District) between 1952 and 1990.

[[File:Dresden, Schloßstraße 2, Kulturpalast, 17.6.2.40-060448.jpg|thumb|The [[Kulturpalast]], completed in 1969, is a prominent example of socialist modernist architecture of the GDR era.]]

The East German authorities razed the ruins of many churches and palaces in the 1950s and 1960s (such as the Gothic [[Sophienkirche]] and the [[Wackerbarth-Palais]]) and rebuilt much of the city in a "socialist modern" style for economic reasons and to break with its past as a royal capital and bourgeois stronghold. Buildings of [[socialist classicism]] and spatial design and orientation according to socialist ideals (e.g. the [[Kulturpalast]]) were built at the Altmarkt. Large prefabricated housing estates were built on previously undeveloped land in {{ill|Prohlis|de}} and [[Gorbitz]]. Damaged housing in the {{ill|Johannstadt|de}} and other areas around the city centre were demolished and replaced with apartment blocks. The [[Äußere Neustadt]] (Outer New Town) as well as the villa districts in [[Blasewitz]], {{ill|Striesen|de}}, {{ill|Kleinzschachwitz|de}}, [[Loschwitz]] and {{ill|Weißer Hirsch, Dresden|lt=Weißer Hirsch|de|Weißer Hirsch}} were largely preserved.

Some historic landmarks were saved or reconstructed. Among them were the Ständehaus (1946), the [[Augustus Bridge]] (1949), the [[Kreuzkirche, Dresden|Kreuzkirche]] (1955), the [[Zwinger (Dresden)|Zwinger]] (1963), the [[Dresden Cathedral]] (1965), the [[Semperoper]] (1985), the [[Japanese Palace]] (1987) and the two largest train stations. The ruins of the [[Frauenkirche, Dresden|Frauenkirche]] were allowed to remain as a war memorial.

From 1955 to 1958, a large part of the art treasures looted by the [[Soviet Union]] was returned, which meant that from 1960 onwards many state art collections could be opened in reconstructed facilities or interim exhibitions. 

Until the end of the [[Cold War]], the [[1st Guards Tank Army]] of the Soviet Army and the 7th Panzer Division of the [[National People's Army]] (NVA) were stationed in and around Dresden. From 1985 to 1990, the future President of Russia, [[Vladimir Putin]], was stationed in Dresden by the [[KGB]]. 

On 3 October 1989, a convoy of trains carrying East German refugees from [[Prague]] passed through Dresden on its way to [[West Germany]]. Local activists and residents joined the growing [[civil disobedience]] movement spreading across the GDR by staging demonstrations and demanding the removal of the communist government.

===Post-reunification===
[[File:Dresden, bruehlsche Terrasse 2004.jpg|thumb|left|Reconstruction of the [[Frauenkirche, Dresden|Frauenkirche]] in 2004]]

Following [[German reunification]], the [[Free State of Saxony]] was re-established with expanded borders and Dresden as its capital in 1990. The Soviet troops stationed in the city were withdrawn in the early 1990s and the NVA dissolved in accordance with the [[Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany|Two-Plus-Four Treaty of 1990]].

Since reunification, Dresden has undergone significant reconstruction. Restoration of the [[Frauenkirche, Dresden|Dresden Frauenkirche]] began in 1994 and was completed in 2005 – a year before Dresden's 800th anniversary – with the help of privately raised funds. The gold cross on the top of the church was made in London and funded by donations to the Dresden Trust, a British organisation committed to strengthening relations with Dresden.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/641423.stm |title=Duke leads Dresden tribute |publisher=BBC News |date=13 February 2000 |access-date=17 February 2026}}</ref> The reconstruction of the Frauenkirche marked the first step in rebuilding the [[Neumarkt (Dresden)|Neumarkt]] area. The majority of buildings around the square were rebuilt either in their original form or with a façade resembling the original.

Each year on 13 February, the anniversary of the British and American fire-bombing raid, thousands of residents gather to commemorate the city's destruction in World War II.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4030017,00.html?maca=en-DKpartner_yg_infomix_en-2315-xml-mrss|title=On Dresden Anniversary, Massive Protest Against Neo-Nazi March &#124; Germany &#124; Deutsche Welle &#124; 14.02.2009|publisher=Dw-world.de|access-date=5 May 2009|archive-date=28 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528133457/https://www.dw.com/en/on-dresden-anniversary-massive-protest-against-neo-nazi-march/a-4030017|url-status=live}}</ref> Since reunification, the ceremony has taken on a more neutral and pacifist tone (after being used more politically during the Cold War). Beginning in 1999, [[Neo-Nazi]] groups have organised demonstrations in Dresden that have been among the largest of their type in the post-war [[history of Germany]].

[[File:Dresden 2014, Lingnerschloss Stadtblick 02.JPG|thumb|[[Dresden Elbe Valley]] with the [[Waldschlösschen Bridge]]. Its construction led to the site losing its UNESCO World Heritage status in 2009.]]

In 2002, torrential rains caused the [[Elbe]] to flood {{convert|9|m}} above its normal height, i.e., even higher than the old record height from 1845, damaging many landmarks (see [[2002 European floods]]).

[[UNESCO]] declared the [[Dresden Elbe Valley]] to be a World Heritage Site in 2004.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1156 Dresden Elbe Valley] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206155054/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1156 |date=6 December 2019 }}, UNESCO World Heritage Register. Retrieved 27 June 2009.</ref> After being placed on the list of endangered World Heritage Sites in 2006, the city lost the title in June 2009,<ref name="Dresden loses UNESCO world heritage status Archived 29 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine">[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4415238,00.html Dresden loses UNESCO world heritage status] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629055947/http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4415238,00.html |date=29 June 2009 }}, ''[[Deutsche Welle]]'', 25 June 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2009.</ref><ref name="Connolly-2009">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jun/25/dresden-bridge-unesco-heritage-status|title=Bridge takes Dresden off Unesco world heritage list|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=25 June 2009|access-date=27 June 2009|first=Kate|last=Connolly|archive-date=4 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304132042/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/25/dresden-bridge-unesco-heritage-status|url-status=live}}</ref> due to the construction of the [[Waldschlösschen Bridge]], making it the second ever World Heritage Site to be removed from the list.<ref name="Dresden loses UNESCO world heritage status Archived 29 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine"/><ref name="Connolly-2009"/> UNESCO stated in 2006 that the bridge would destroy the cultural landscape. The city council's legal moves, meant to prevent the bridge from being built, failed.<ref>{{in lang|de}} [http://www.focus.de/kultur/leben/weltkulturerbe_aid_50621.html Weltkulturerbe: Unesco-Titel in Gefahr] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517215033/http://www.focus.de/kultur/leben/weltkulturerbe_aid_50621.html |date=17 May 2012 }}, ''[[Focus (German magazine)|Focus]]'', 14 March 2007; accessed 15 May 2007</ref><ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/522?svc_mode=P&g=260060136539&svc_campaign=information-200906-june&svc_partner=whc.unesco.org&estat_url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/522 Dresden is deleted from UNESCO's World Heritage List] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730011810/https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/522?svc_mode=P&g=260060136539&svc_campaign=information-200906-june&svc_partner=whc.unesco.org&estat_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwhc.unesco.org%2Fen%2Fnews%2F522 |date=30 July 2020 }}, ''[[UNESCO World Heritage Centre]]'', 25 June 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.</ref>

In 2006, the city of Dresden sold its publicly [[subsidized housing]] organisation, WOBA Dresden GmbH, to the US-based private [[investment company]] [[Fortress Investment Group]]. The city received {{Nowrap|987.1 million}} euro and paid off its remaining loans, making it the first large city in Germany to become debt-free. Opponents of the sale were concerned about Dresden's loss of control over the [[subsidized housing|subsidized housing market]].<ref>Dresden: {{cite web|url=http://www.dresden.de/index.html?node=33040|title=Saleof the WOBA Dresden GmbH|access-date=26 February 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312023055/http://www.dresden.de/index.html?node=33040|archive-date=12 March 2016}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography and urban development of Dresden}}

===Location===
[[File:Pillnitz königlicher Weinberg (04-2).jpg|thumb|right|View over [[Dresden Basin]]]]

Dresden lies on both banks of the [[Elbe]], mostly in the [[Dresden Basin]], with the further reaches of the eastern [[Ore Mountains]] to the south, the steep slope of the [[Lusatia]]n granitic crust to the north, and the [[Elbe Sandstone Mountains]] to the east at an altitude of about {{convert|113|m|ft|abbr=off}}. Triebenberg is the highest point in Dresden at {{convert|384|m|ft|abbr=off}}.<ref>Dresden.de: [http://www.dresden.de/en/02/06/c_01.php Location, area, geographical data] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506182506/http://www.dresden.de/en/02/06/c_01.php|date=6 May 2008}}</ref>

With a pleasant location and a mild climate on the Elbe, as well as Baroque-style architecture and numerous museums and art collections, Dresden has been called "Elbflorenz" ([[Florence]] on the Elbe). The incorporation of neighbouring [[Types of rural communities|rural communities]] over the past 60 years has made Dresden the fourth largest [[Urban districts of Germany|urban district]] by area in Germany after Berlin, Hamburg and [[Cologne]].<ref name="List of cities in Germany with more than 100">[[List of cities in Germany with more than 100,000 inhabitants]]</ref>

The nearest German cities are [[Chemnitz]] {{convert|62|km|mi|abbr=off}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://entfernungkm.com/route/dresden/chemnitz|title=Entfernung zwischen Dresden und Chemnitz|website=entfernungkm.com|language=de|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218193551/https://entfernungkm.com/route/dresden/chemnitz|url-status=live}}</ref> to the southwest, [[Leipzig]] {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=off}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://entfernungkm.com/route/dresden/leipzig|title=Entfernung zwischen Dresden und Leipzig|website=entfernungkm.com|language=de|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-date=19 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219000825/https://entfernungkm.com/route/dresden/leipzig|url-status=live}}</ref> to the northwest and Berlin {{convert|165|km|mi|abbr=off}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://entfernungkm.com/route/dresden/berlin|title=Entfernung zwischen Dresden und Berlin|website=entfernungkm.com|language=de|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218195200/https://entfernungkm.com/route/dresden/berlin|url-status=live}}</ref> to the north. [[Prague]] (Czech Republic) is about {{convert|150|km|mi|abbr=off}} to the south and [[Wrocław]] (Poland) {{convert|200|km|mi|abbr=off}} to the east.

===Nature===
[[File:Basteibrücke morgens (Zuschnitt).jpg|thumb|right|[[Saxon Switzerland]] a few kilometres outside of Dresden]]
Dresden is one of the greenest cities in all of Europe, with 62% of the city being green areas and forests.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dresden.de/de/stadtraum/umwelt/gruenes-dresden.php |title=Grünes Dresden |website=dresden.de |language=de |access-date=4 June 2020 |archive-date=3 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603142509/https://www.dresden.de/de/stadtraum/umwelt/gruenes-dresden.php |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Dresden Heath]] (''Dresdner Heide'') to the north is a forest {{cvt|50|km2}} in size. There are four [[nature reserve]]s. The additional Special Conservation Areas cover {{cvt|18|km2}}. The protected gardens, parkways, parks and old graveyards host 110 natural monuments in the city.<ref>Dresden: {{cite web|url=http://www.dresden.de/index.html?node=6943|title=Dresden—a Green city|access-date=30 March 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041022094550/http://www.dresden.de/index.html?node=6943|archive-date=22 October 2004}}</ref> The [[Dresden Elbe Valley]] is a former world heritage site which is focused on the conservation of the [[cultural landscape]] in Dresden. One important part of that landscape is the Elbe meadows, which cross the city in a 20 kilometre swath. [[Saxon Switzerland]] is located south-east of the city.

===Climate===
Like most of eastern Germany, Dresden has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfb''), with significant continental influences due to its inland location. The summers are warm, averaging 19.0&nbsp;°C (66.2&nbsp;°F) in July. The winters are slightly colder than the German average, with a January average temperature of {{convert|0.1|°C|2|abbr=on}}. The driest months are February, March and April, with precipitation of around {{convert|40|mm|1|abbr=on}}. The wettest months are July and August, with more than {{convert|80|mm|1|abbr=on}} per month.

The microclimate in the [[Elbe valley]] differs from that on the slopes and in the higher areas, where the Dresden district [[Klotzsche]], at 227 metres [[above mean sea level|above sea level]], hosts the Dresden [[weather station]]. The weather in Klotzsche is {{convert|1|to|3|C-change|F-change|1|abbr=on}} colder than in the [[inner city]] at 112 metres [[above mean sea level|above sea level]].

{{Weather box |width = auto |location = Dresden (1971–2000 normals) |metric first =yes |single line = yes
|precipitation colour = green |collapsed=y
| Jan high C  =2.7
| Feb high C  =4.1
| Mar high C  =8.4
| Apr high C  =12.9
| May high C  =18.7
| Jun high C  =21.3
| Jul high C  =23.6
| Aug high C  =23.7
| Sep high C  =18.8
| Oct high C  =13.5
| Nov high C  =6.9
| Dec high C  =4.0
| Jan low C  =-2.2
| Feb low C  =-1.8
| Mar low C  =1.3
| Apr low C  =3.9
| May low C  =8.6
| Jun low C  =11.8
| Jul low C  =13.7
| Aug low C  =13.6
| Sep low C  =10.4
| Oct low C  =6.4
| Nov low C  =1.9
| Dec low C  =-0.6
| Jan precipitation mm  =44.3
| Feb precipitation mm  =34.9
| Mar precipitation mm  =43.1
| Apr precipitation mm  =47.3
| May precipitation mm  =60.0
| Jun precipitation mm  =68.5
| Jul precipitation mm  =82.0
| Aug precipitation mm  =77.9
| Sep precipitation mm  =49.6
| Oct precipitation mm  =44.5
| Nov precipitation mm  =53.5
| Dec precipitation mm  =56.9
| Jan precipitation days  =9.8
| Feb precipitation days  =8.9
| Mar precipitation days  =8.8
| Apr precipitation days  =9.3
| May precipitation days  =8.6
| Jun precipitation days  =10.5
| Jul precipitation days  =10.3
| Aug precipitation days  =9.2
| Sep precipitation days  =8.3
| Oct precipitation days  =8.2
| Nov precipitation days  =10.6
| Dec precipitation days  =11.1
|source = WMO<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=1343 |title=World Weather Information Service-Dresden |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=worldweather |publisher=WMO}}</ref>
}}
{{Weather box|width=auto 
|location = Dresden (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1934–present)
|metric first = Y	
|single line = Y	
|Jan record high C = 16.8
|Feb record high C = 20.0
|Mar record high C = 24.4
|Apr record high C = 29.5
|May record high C = 31.7
|Jun record high C = 38.2
|Jul record high C = 36.4
|Aug record high C = 37.4
|Sep record high C = 33.9
|Oct record high C = 27.8
|Nov record high C = 19.5
|Dec record high C = 17.7
|year record high C = 38.2
|Jan high C = 3.0
|Feb high C = 4.5
|Mar high C = 8.5
|Apr high C = 14.3
|May high C = 18.8
|Jun high C = 22.2
|Jul high C = 24.5
|Aug high C = 24.2
|Sep high C = 19.1
|Oct high C = 13.5
|Nov high C = 7.6
|Dec high C = 4.1
|year high C = 13.7
|Jan mean C = 0.6
|Feb mean C = 1.5
|Mar mean C = 4.7
|Apr mean C = 9.7
|May mean C = 14.0
|Jun mean C = 17.3
|Jul mean C = 19.4
|Aug mean C = 19.1
|Sep mean C = 14.6
|Oct mean C = 9.8
|Nov mean C = 5.0
|Dec mean C = 1.7
|year mean C = 9.8
|Jan low C = -2.0
|Feb low C = -1.5
|Mar low C = 1.1
|Apr low C = 4.8
|May low C = 8.9
|Jun low C = 12.3
|Jul low C = 14.3
|Aug low C = 14.1
|Sep low C = 10.4
|Oct low C = 6.5
|Nov low C = 2.4
|Dec low C = -0.7
|year low C = 5.9
|Jan record low C = -25.3
|Feb record low C = -23.0
|Mar record low C = -16.5
|Apr record low C = -6.3
|May record low C = -3.4
|Jun record low C = 0.9
|Jul record low C = 6.1
|Aug record low C = 5.4
|Sep record low C = 0.0
|Oct record low C = -6.0
|Nov record low C = -13.2
|Dec record low C = -21.0
|year record low C = -25.3
| precipitation colour = green	
|Jan precipitation mm = 42.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 32.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 42.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 36.3
|May precipitation mm = 62.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 62.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 84.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 80.1
|Sep precipitation mm = 51.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 49.9
|Nov precipitation mm = 47.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 44.0
|year precipitation mm = 
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm	
|Jan precipitation days = 17.4
|Feb precipitation days = 14.4
|Mar precipitation days = 15.1
|Apr precipitation days = 11.4
|May precipitation days = 13.7
|Jun precipitation days = 13.5
|Jul precipitation days = 14.6
|Aug precipitation days = 12.7
|Sep precipitation days = 11.9
|Oct precipitation days = 14.0
|Nov precipitation days = 14.7
|Dec precipitation days = 16.1
|year precipitation days = 169.4
|Jan sun = 62.0
|Feb sun = 82.1
|Mar sun = 127.0
|Apr sun = 187.3
|May sun = 222.0
|Jun sun = 221.3
|Jul sun = 233.8
|Aug sun = 222.8
|Sep sun = 164.2
|Oct sun = 119.9
|Nov sun = 67.9
|Dec sun = 60.0
|year sun = 1770.4
|Jan humidity = 82.6
|Feb humidity = 78.7
|Mar humidity = 74.4
|Apr humidity = 67.0
|May humidity = 67.9
|Jun humidity = 68.5
|Jul humidity = 67.1
|Aug humidity = 67.8
|Sep humidity = 74.9
|Oct humidity = 79.8
|Nov humidity = 84.3
|Dec humidity = 83.7
| year humidity =74.7
|unit snow days = 1.0 cm
|Jan snow days = 12.1
|Feb snow days = 9.8
|Mar snow days = 4.5
|Apr snow days = 0.6
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 2.2
|Dec snow days = 6.4
|year snow days = 35.7
| source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230916125836/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Germany/CSV/Dresden-Klotzsche_10488.csv
| archive-date = 16 September 2023
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Germany/CSV/Dresden-Klotzsche_10488.csv
| title = Dresden-Klotzsche Climate Normals 1991–2020
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = 16 September 2023}}</ref>
|source 2=Data derived from [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]]<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.dwd.de/bvbw/appmanager/bvbw/dwdwwwDesktop?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=_dwdwww_klima_umwelt_klimadaten_deutschland&T82002gsbDocumentPath=Navigation%2FOeffentlichkeit%2FKlima__Umwelt%2FKlimadaten%2Fkldaten__kostenfrei%2Fausgabe__monatswerte__node.html%3F__nnn%3Dtrue
|title=Ausgabe der Klimadaten: Monatswerte
|access-date=4 March 2013
|archive-date=12 June 2014
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140612043121/http://www.dwd.de/bvbw/appmanager/bvbw/dwdwwwDesktop?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=_dwdwww_klima_umwelt_klimadaten_deutschland&T82002gsbDocumentPath=Navigation%2FOeffentlichkeit%2FKlima__Umwelt%2FKlimadaten%2Fkldaten__kostenfrei%2Fausgabe__monatswerte__node.html%3F__nnn%3Dtrue
|url-status=live
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.wetterzentrale.de/extremes_mon.php?station=1048&maand=1&country=1&order=1&extreem=X_TX
|title = Extremwertanalyse der DWD-Stationen, Tagesmaxima, Dekadenrekorde, usw.
|publisher = DWD
|language = de
|access-date = 12 December 2023}}</ref> (precipitation (Klotzsche))<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dwd.de/DE/leistungen/klimadatendeutschland/mittelwerte/nieder_9120_SV_html.html?view=nasPublication&nn=771428 |title=Niederschlag: vieljährige Mittelwerte 1991 - 2020 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=dwd |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdinest}}</ref>}}

===Flood protection===
Because of its location on the banks of the Elbe, into which some water sources from the Ore Mountains flow, flood protection is important. Large areas are kept free of buildings to provide a flood plain. Two additional trenches, about 50 metres wide, have been built to keep the inner city free of water from the Elbe, by dissipating the water downstream through the inner city's gorge portion. Flood regulation systems like [[detention basin]]s and [[water reservoir]]s are almost all outside the [[Urban area|city area]].{{cn|date=August 2025}}

The [[Weißeritz]], normally a rather small river, suddenly ran directly into the main station of Dresden during the [[2002 European floods]]. This was largely because the river returned to its former route; it had been diverted so that a railway could run along the river bed.{{cn|date=August 2025}}

Many locations and areas need to be protected by walls and sheet pilings during floods. A number of districts become waterlogged if the Elbe overflows across some of its former floodplains.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dresden.de/de/stadtraum/umwelt/umwelt/hochwasser/vergangenheit.php|title=Hochwasser in der Vergangenheit|website=www.dresden.de|accessdate=4 April 2023}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Weisseritz in Löbtau zur Jahrhundertflut 2002.jpg|Floods in 2002
File:Semperoper-flood-2005-03-22.jpg|[[Semperoper]] during 2005 floods
File:Elbe 030406 2.jpg|Dresden skyline in 2006
File:Elbe-Hochwasser-Dresden-Juni2013-18.jpg|[[2013 European floods|Dresden under water in June 2013]]
</gallery>

===Structure of the city===
Dresden is a spacious city. Its boroughs differ in their structure and appearance. Many parts still contain an old village core, while some quarters are almost completely preserved as rural settings. Other characteristic kinds of urban areas are the historic outskirts of the city, and the former suburbs with scattered housing. During the German Democratic Republic, many apartment blocks were built. The original parts of the city are almost all in the boroughs of Altstadt (Old town) and Neustadt (New town). Growing outside the [[Defensive wall|city walls]], the historic outskirts were built in the 18th and 19th century. They were planned and constructed on the orders of the Saxon monarchs and many of them are named after Saxon sovereigns (e.g. [[Friedrichstadt (Dresden)|Friedrichstadt]] and [[Albertstadt]]). Dresden has been divided into ten boroughs called "Stadtbezirk" and nine former municipalities ("Ortschaften") which have been incorporated since 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dresden.de/media/pdf/amtsblatt/dresdner-amtsblatt-2018-37.pdf#page=29 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.dresden.de/media/pdf/amtsblatt/dresdner-amtsblatt-2018-37.pdf#page=29 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=Satzung zur Änderung der Hauptsatzung der Landeshauptstadt Dresden vom 4. September 2014|pages=29–32}}</ref>

==Demographics==

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;"
|+Top 10 non-German populations<ref>{{cite web|title=Bevölkerung und Haushalte 2017|url=https://www.dresden.de/media/pdf/onlineshop/statistikstelle/Broschuere_Bevoelkerung_und_Haushalte_2016.pdf|access-date=19 June 2018|archive-date=19 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619163605/https://www.dresden.de/media/pdf/onlineshop/statistikstelle/Broschuere_Bevoelkerung_und_Haushalte_2016.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! Nationality||Population (31 December 2022)
|-
|{{flag|Ukraine}}||8,961
|-
|{{flag|Syria}}||2,395
|-
|{{flag|Russia}}||2,342
|-
|{{flag|Vietnam}}||2,230
|-
|{{flag|Poland}}||1,943
|-
|{{flag|China}}||1,739
|-
|{{flag|Italy}}||1,549
|-
|{{flag|Czech Republic}}||1,276
|-
|{{flag|Romania}}||1,126
|-
|{{flag|India}}||1,078
|}

The population of Dresden grew to 100,000 inhabitants in 1852, making it one of the first German cities after [[Hamburg]], Berlin and [[Wrocław|Breslau]] (Wrocław) to reach that number. The population peaked at 649,252 in 1933, and dropped to 368,519 in 1945 because of World War II, during which large residential areas of the city were destroyed. After large incorporations and city restoration, the population grew to 522,532 again between 1946 and 1983.<ref>Dresden: [http://dresden.de/de/02/06/c_020_Einwohnerzahl.php Einwohnerzahl] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912224206/http://dresden.de/de/02/06/c_020_Einwohnerzahl.php|date=12 September 2008}}</ref>

Since [[German reunification]], demographic development has been very unsteady. The city has struggled with migration and suburbanisation. During the 1990s the population increased to 480,000 because of several incorporations, and decreased to 452,827 in 1998. Between 2000 and 2010, the population grew quickly by more than 45,000 inhabitants (about 9.5%) due to a stabilised economy and re-urbanisation. Along with [[Munich]] and [[Potsdam]], Dresden is one of the ten fastest-growing cities in Germany.<ref name="List of cities in Germany with more than 100"/>

{{As of|2019}} the population of the city of Dresden was 557,075,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.statistik.sachsen.de/download/bevoelkerung/aktuell_statistik-sachsen_a-I-1_einwohnerzahlen-monat.pdf |title=Bevölkerung des Freistaates Sachsen jeweils am Monatsende ausgewählter Berichtsmonate nach Gemeinden |website=statistik.sachsen.de |language=de |access-date=3 June 2020 |archive-date=3 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603134947/https://www.statistik.sachsen.de/download/bevoelkerung/aktuell_statistik-sachsen_a-I-1_einwohnerzahlen-monat.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> the population of the Dresden agglomeration was 790,400 {{As of|2018|lc=y}},<ref name="citypopulation.de quoting Federal Statistics Office"/> and {{As of|2019|lc=y}} the population of the Dresden metropolitan area, which includes the neighbouring districts of [[Meißen (district)|Meißen]], [[Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge]], [[Bautzen (district)|Bautzen]] and [[Görlitz (district)|Görlitz]], was 1,343,305.<ref name="Eurostat"/>

As of 2018 about 50.0% of the population was female.<ref name="dresden.de">{{cite web|url=https://www.dresden.de/de/leben/stadtportrait/statistik/bevoelkerung-gebiet/Bevoelkerungsbestand.php|title=Dresden – Bevölkerungsbestand|website=dresden.de|language=de|access-date=27 May 2019|archive-date=27 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527151719/https://www.dresden.de/de/leben/stadtportrait/statistik/bevoelkerung-gebiet/Bevoelkerungsbestand.php|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2007}} the mean age of the population was 43 years, which is the lowest among the urban districts in Saxony.<ref>Statistical office of the Free State of Saxony: [http://www.statistik.sachsen.de/12/pressearchiv/archiv2007/pm15907.htm "Sachsen sind im Durchschnitt 45 Jahre alt&nbsp;– Dresdner am jüngsten, Hoyerswerdaer am ältesten"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411203814/http://www.statistik.sachsen.de/12/pressearchiv/archiv2007/pm15907.htm |date=11 April 2008 }} (German: "Saxons are on average 45 years old – those from Dresden the youngest, those from Hoyerswerda the oldest")</ref> {{As of|2018|12|31}} there were 67,841 people with a [[migration background]] (12.1% of the population, increased from 7.2% in 2010), and about two-thirds of these, 44,665 or about 8.0% of all Dresden citizens were foreigners.<ref name="dresden.de" /> This percentage increased from 4.1% in 2010.{{fact|date=January 2025}}

==Governance==
Dresden is the capital of Saxony. It has institutions of democratic local self-administration that are independent from the capital functions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jura.uos.de/institut/jkr/gosachse.htm|title=Gemeindeordnung für den Freistaat Sachsen (SächsGemO), §2|access-date=27 May 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312043329/http://www.jura.uos.de/institut/jkr/gosachse.htm|archive-date=12 March 2007}}</ref>

Dresden hosted some international summits in recent years, such as the Petersburg Dialogue between Russia and Germany,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://petersburger-dialog.de/russland-in-dresden/ |title=Russland in Dresden |website=petersburger-dialog.de |language=de |access-date=11 May 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730011729/https://petersburger-dialog.de/russland-in-dresden/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the European Union's [[Interior minister|Minister of the Interior]] conference<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statewatch.org/news/2007/jan/dresden-future-jha.pdf |title=Informal Meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers |website=statewatch.org |access-date=11 May 2020 |archive-date=20 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220075317/http://www.statewatch.org/news/2007/jan/dresden-future-jha.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[G8]] labour ministers conference.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/g8-labor-ministers-call-for-more-social-engagement-by-business/a-2480945 |title=G8 Labor Ministers Call for More Social Engagement by Business |website=Deutsche Welle |date=7 May 2007 |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730004437/https://www.dw.com/en/g8-labor-ministers-call-for-more-social-engagement-by-business/a-2480945 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Mayor===
{{Main|City Council of Dresden}}
The [[city council]] is the legislative branch of the city government. The council gives orders to the mayor ({{langx|de|link=no|Bürgermeister}}) via resolutions and decrees, and thus also has some degree of executive power.<ref>Dresden.de: {{cite web|url=http://www.dresden.de/en/02/c_04.php|title=City Council|access-date=24 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205031703/http://www.dresden.de/en/02/c_04.php|archive-date=5 February 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dresden.de/en/02/c_01.php|title=Dresden.de|access-date=24 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205031638/http://www.dresden.de/en/02/c_01.php|archive-date=5 February 2008}}</ref>

[[File:2022 Dresden mayoral election (2nd round).svg|thumb|350px|Results of the second round of the 2022 mayoral election]]

The first freely elected mayor after German reunification was [[Herbert Wagner (politician)|Herbert Wagner]] of the [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|Christian Democratic Union]] (CDU), who served from 1990 to 2001. The mayor was originally chosen by the city council, but since 1994 has been directly elected. Ingolf Roßberg of the [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|Free Democratic Party]] (FDP) served from 2001 until 2008. He was succeeded by [[Helma Orosz]] (CDU). [[Dirk Hilbert]] was elected mayor in 2015 under the banner "Independent Citizens for Dresden". He was nominated by the FDP and [[Free Voters]], and was endorsed by the CDU and [[Alternative for Germany|AfD]] in the runoff. The most recent mayoral election was held on 12 June 2022, with a runoff held on 10 July, and the results were as follows:

{{election table}}
|+<ref>[https://wahlen.dresden.de/2022/obw/index.html 1st round]</ref><ref>[https://wahlen.dresden.de/2022/obwzwg/index.html 2nd round]</ref>
! rowspan=2 colspan=2| Candidate
! rowspan=2| Party
! colspan=2| First round
! colspan=2| Second round
|-
! Votes
! %
! Votes
! %
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Free Democratic Party (Germany)}}| 
| align=left| '''[[Dirk Hilbert]]'''
| align=left| Independent Citizens for Dresden<br>{{small|([[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|FDP]], [[Free Voters|FW]], [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]])}}
| 66,165
| 32.5
| '''80,483'''
| '''45.3'''
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Alliance 90/The Greens}}| 
| align=left| Eva Jähnigen
| align=left| [[Alliance 90/The Greens]]<br>{{small|(plus [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]], [[The Left (Germany)|Left]], [[Pirate Party Germany|Pirates]] in the runoff)}}
| 38,473
| 18.9
| 67,947
| 38.3
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Social Democratic Party of Germany}}| 
| align=left| [[Albrecht Pallas]]
| align=left| [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]]
| 31,068
| 15.2
| align=center colspan=2| ''Withdrew''
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Alternative for Germany}}| 
| align=left| [[Maximilian Krah]]
| align=left| [[Alternative for Germany]]
| 28,971
| 14.2
| 21,741
| 12.2
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|The Left (Germany)}}| 
| align=left| André Schollbach
| align=left| [[The Left (Germany)|The Left]]
| 20,898
| 10.3
| align=center colspan=2| ''Withdrew''
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Independent politician}}| 
| align=left| Marcus Fuchs
| align=left| [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| 6,856
| 3.4
| 3,549
| 2.0
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Pirate Party Germany}}| 
| align=left| Martin Schulte-Wissermann
| align=left| [[Pirate Party Germany|Pirate Party]]
| 5,975
| 2.9
| align=center colspan=2| ''Withdrew''
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Independent politician}}| 
| align=left| Sascha Wolff
| align=left| [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| 2,695
| 1.3
| align=center colspan=2| ''Withdrew''
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Die PARTEI}}| 
| align=left| Jan Pöhnisch
| align=left| [[Die PARTEI]]
| 2,684
| 1.3
| 3,824
| 2.2
|-
! colspan=3| Valid votes
! 203,785
! 99.4
! 177,544
! 99.5
|-
! colspan=3| Invalid votes
! 1,145
! 0.6
! 974
! 0.5
|-
! colspan=3| Total
! 204,930
! 100.0
! 178,518
! 100.0
|-
! colspan=3| Electorate/voter turnout
! 432,294
! 47.4
! 431,967
! 41.3
|}

===City council===
[[File:2024 Dresden City Council election - Vote strength.svg|thumb|350px|Strongest party by locality in the 2024 City Council election]]
The most recent city council election was held on 9 June 2024, and the results were as follows:

{{election table}}
|+<ref>[https://wahlen.dresden.de/2024/srw/index.html Wahlen in Sachsen]</ref>
! colspan=2| Party
! Votes
! %
! +/-
! Seats
! +/-
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Alternative for Germany}}| 
| align=left| [[Alternative for Germany]] (AfD)
| 170,346
| 19.4
| {{increase}} 2.3
| 14
| {{increase}} 2
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}| 
| align=left| [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|Christian Democratic Union]] (CDU)
| 157,717
| 18.0
| {{decrease}} 0.3
| 13
| {{steady}} 0
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Alliance 90/The Greens}}| 
| align=left| [[Alliance 90/The Greens]] (Grüne)
| 128,099
| 14.6
| {{decrease}} 5.9
| 10
| {{decrease}} 5
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Social Democratic Party of Germany}}| 
| align=left| [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] (SPD)
| 78,652
| 9.0
| {{increase}} 0.2
| 6
| {{steady}} 0
|-
| bgcolor=ffe228| 
| align=left| [[Holger Zastrow|Team Zastrow/Alliance Saxony 24]]
| 71,163
| 8.1
| New
| 6
| New
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|The Left (Germany)}}| 
| align=left| [[The Left (Germany)|The Left]] (Die Linke)
| 68,012
| 7.8
| {{decrease}} 8.4
| 5
| {{decrease}} 7
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht}}| 
| align=left| [[Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht|Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance]] (BSW)
| 63,108
| 7.2
| New
| 5
| New
|-
| 
| align=left| Free Voters Dresden (WV)
| 31,110
| 3.5
| {{decrease}} 1.8
| 2
| {{decrease}} 2
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Pirate Party Germany}}| 
| align=left| [[Pirate Party Germany]] (Piraten)
| 27,736
| 3.2
| {{increase}} 0.8
| 2
| {{increase}} 1
|-

| bgcolor={{party color|Free Democratic Party (Germany)}}| 
| align=left| [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|Free Democratic Party]] (FDP)
| 24,464
| 2.8
| {{decrease}} 4.7
| 2
| {{decrease}} 3
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Die PARTEI}}| 
| align=left| [[Die PARTEI]] (PARTEI)
| 16,363
| 1.9
| {{increase}} 0.1
| 1
| {{increase}} 1
|-
| bgcolor=009332| 
| align=left| [[Freie Sachsen|Free Saxons]] (FS)
| 13,304
| 1.5
| New
| 1
| New
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Volt Germany}}| 
| align=left| [[Volt Germany]] (Volt)
| 10,522
| 1.2
| New
| 1
| New
|-
| 
| align=left| Dissidents Dresden (DissDD)
| 8,365
| 1.0
| New
| 1
| New
|-
| 
| align=left| Free Citizens Dresden (FBD)
| 8,290
| 0.9
| {{decrease}} 0.6
| 1
| {{steady}} 0
|-
! colspan=2| Valid votes
! 877,251
! 96.3
! 
! 
! 
|-
! colspan=2| Invalid votes
! 3,802
! 1.3
! 
! 
! 
|-
! colspan=2| Total
! 303,717
! 100.0
! 
! 70
! ±0
|-
! colspan=2| Electorate/voter turnout
! 429,280
! 70.8
! {{increase}} 3.9
! 
! 
|}

===Public institutions===
[[File:Dresden-Kultusministerium.jpg|thumb|The [[Sächsische Staatskanzlei]] (''Saxon State Chancellery'') is an institution assisting the President of the State.]]

As the capital of Saxony, Dresden is home to the [[Landtag of Saxony|Saxon state parliament]] (''Landtag'')<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.landtag.sachsen.de/slt_online/start_eng.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315111458/http://www.landtag.sachsen.de/slt_online/start_eng.asp|url-status=dead|title=Sächsischer Landtag|archivedate=15 March 2008|accessdate=4 April 2023}}</ref> and the ministries of the Saxon Government. The controlling [[Constitutional Court of Saxony]] is in Leipzig. The highest Saxon court in civil and [[criminal law]], is the [[Higher Regional Court of Dresden]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.justiz.sachsen.de/olg/content/47.htm|title=Oberlandesgericht Dresden|access-date=25 February 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102044810/http://www.justiz.sachsen.de/olg/content/47.htm|archive-date=2 January 2008}}</ref>

Most of the Saxon state authorities are located in Dresden. Dresden is home to the Regional Commission of the [[Dresden (region)|Dresden Regierungsbezirk]], which is a controlling authority for the Saxon Government.

Like many cities in Germany, Dresden is also home to a local court, has a trade corporation and a Chamber of Industry and Trade and many subsidiaries of federal agencies (such as the Federal Labour Office or the [[Technisches Hilfswerk|Federal Agency for Technical Relief]]). It hosts some divisions of the German Customs and [[Wasser- und Schifffahrtsamt|Waterways and Shipping Office]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Elbe |url=https://www.wsa-elbe.wsv.de/Webs/WSA/Elbe/DE/WSA-Elbe/Elbe_node.html |language=de}}</ref>

Dresden is home to a military subdistrict command, but no longer has large military units as it did in the past. Dresden is the traditional location for [[officer (armed forces)|army officer]] schooling in Germany, today carried out in the {{ill|Offizierschule des Heeres|de}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/heer/organisation/ausbildungskommando/offizierschule-des-heeres |title=Offizierschule des Heeres |website=bundeswehr.de |language=de |access-date=4 June 2020 |archive-date=29 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529101934/https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/heer/organisation/ausbildungskommando/offizierschule-des-heeres |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Cityscape==

===Architecture===
[[File:Frauenkirche-dresden.jpg|thumb|The [[Dresden Frauenkirche|Frauenkirche]] at the reconstructed [[Neumarkt (Dresden)|Neumarkt]]]]

Although Dresden is often said to be a [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] city, its architecture is influenced by more than one style. Other eras of importance are the [[Renaissance]] and [[Historicism (art)|Historicism]], as well as the contemporary styles of [[Modernism]] and [[Postmodernism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sidetracksgermany.wordpress.com/2013/05/04/dresden-architecture/|title=Dresden – Architecture|date=4 May 2013|website=Sidetracks Germany|language=en|access-date=17 November 2019|archive-date=17 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117190740/https://sidetracksgermany.wordpress.com/2013/05/04/dresden-architecture/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Dresden has some 13,000 listed cultural monuments and eight districts under general preservation orders.<ref>Dresden: [http://www.dresden.de/en/05/040_Monument_preservation.php Monument preservation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129204608/http://www.dresden.de/en/05/040_Monument_preservation.php|date=29 January 2008}}</ref>

====Royal household====
[[File:Dresden-Zwinger.courtyard.04.JPG|thumb|[[Zwinger Palace]]]]

The [[Dresden Castle]] was the seat of the [[Royal Household|royal household]] from 1485. The wings of the building have been renewed, built upon and restored many times. Due to this integration of styles, the castle is made up of elements of the [[Renaissance]], [[Baroque]] and [[Classicism|Classicist]] styles.<ref>Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden: [http://www.skd-dresden.de/en/gebaeude/residenzschloss/geschichte.html The History of the Royal Palace] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060323094325/http://www.skd-dresden.de/en/gebaeude/residenzschloss/geschichte.html|date=23 March 2006}}</ref>

The [[Zwinger Palace]] is across the road from the castle. It was built on the old stronghold of the city and was converted to a centre for the royal art collections and a place to hold festivals. Its gate by the moat is surmounted by a golden crown.<ref>Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden: [http://www.skd-dresden.de/en/gebaeude/zwinger_mit_semperbau/geschichte.html History of the Zwinger and Semperbau] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927012157/http://www.skd-dresden.de/en/gebaeude/zwinger_mit_semperbau/geschichte.html|date=27 September 2007}}</ref>

Other royal buildings and ensembles:
* [[Brühl's Terrace]] was a gift to [[Heinrich, count von Brühl]], and became an ensemble of buildings above the river Elbe.
* [[Dresden Elbe Valley]] with the [[Pillnitz Castle]] and other castles

====Sacred buildings====
The [[Katholische Hofkirche|Hofkirche]] was the church of the royal household. [[Augustus II the Strong|Augustus the Strong]], who desired to be [[List of Polish monarchs|King of Poland]], converted to Catholicism, as Polish kings had to be Catholic. At that time Dresden was strictly Protestant. Augustus the Strong ordered the building of the Hofkirche, the Roman Catholic Cathedral, to establish a sign of Roman Catholic religious importance in Dresden. The church is the cathedral "Sanctissimae Trinitatis" since 1980. The crypt of the [[Wettin (dynasty)|Wettin Dynasty]] is located within the church.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bistum-dresden-meissen.de/32/40/43/index.php|title=Bistum Dresden-Meißen – katholische Kirche|language=de|website=bistum-dresden-meissen.de|access-date=20 September 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306221223/http://www.bistum-dresden-meissen.de/32/40/43/index.php|archive-date=6 March 2008}}</ref> King Augustus III of Poland is buried in the cathedral, as one of the very few Polish kings to be buried outside the [[Wawel Cathedral]] in [[Kraków]].

In contrast to the Hofkirche, the Lutheran [[Frauenkirche, Dresden|Frauenkirche]] located at the [[Neumarkt (Dresden)|Neumarkt]] was built almost contemporaneously by the citizens of Dresden. The city's historic Kreuzkirche was reconsecrated in 1388.<ref>Evangelisch-Lutherische Kreuzkirchgemeinde Dresden: [http://www.dresdner-kreuzkirche.de/index_e.html History of the Church of the Holy Cross] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429044130/http://www.dresdner-kreuzkirche.de/index_e.html|date=29 April 2008}}</ref>

There are also other churches in Dresden, like the [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian Orthodox]] [[St. Simeon of the Wonderful Mountain Church]] in the Südvorstadt district.

====Historicism====
[[File:20070110100DR Dresden-Friedrichstadt Yenidze Weißeritzstr 3.jpg|thumb|[[Yenidze]]]]

[[Historicism (art)|Historicist]] buildings made their presence felt on the cityscape until the 1920s.

Notable examples of [[Renaissance Revival]] architecture in Dresden include the [[Albertinum]] located at Brühl's Terrace as well as the [[Saxon State Chancellery]] and the Saxon State Ministry of Finance located on the northern Elbe river banks. The [[Ehrlichsche Gestiftskirche]], constructed in 1907, was a historicist church building that was demolished in August 1951.<ref>{{cite book
  | last1        = Blaschke
  | first1       = K.
  | last2       = John
  | first2      = U.
  | last3       = Starke
  | first3      = H.
  | title       = Geschichte der Stadt Dresden
  | publisher   = Theiss
  | volume      = 3
  | year        = 2006
  | isbn        = 978-3-8062-1928-9
  | url         = https://books.google.com/books?id=S_PiAAAAMAAJ
  | language    = de
  | access-date = 21 June 2018
| page        = 626
}}</ref>

The [[Villa Rosa (Dresden)|Villa Rosa]] was built in 1839 and was considered one of the most important villa buildings in Dresden, due to its [[Renaissance Revival architecture]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Helas|first=Volker|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DsDQBgAAQBAJ|title=Architektur in Dresden 1800 – 1900|date=1 December 2013|publisher=Springer-Verlag|isbn=978-3-322-84117-9|pages=27–29|language=de}}</ref>

[[Yenidze]] is a former cigarette factory building built in the style of a mosque between 1907 and 1909.

The most recent historicist buildings in Dresden date from the short era of [[Stalinist architecture]] in the 1950s, e.g. at the Altmarkt.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spiegel.de/geschichte/berlin-dresden-leipzig-stalin-architektur-in-der-ddr-a-1221495.html |title=Moskaus kleine Schwestern: Stalins Städte in der DDR |website=DER SPIEGEL |language=de |date=31 August 2018 |access-date=4 June 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730031050/https://www.spiegel.de/geschichte/berlin-dresden-leipzig-stalin-architektur-in-der-ddr-a-1221495.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:20121011070DR Dresden Altmarkt Haus Altmarkt + Wasserspiele.jpg|thumb|Stalinist architecture at the Altmarkt]]

====Modernism====
The ''Garden City of [[Hellerau]]'', at that time a suburb of Dresden, was founded in 1909. It was Germany's first [[garden city movement|garden city]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rem.routledge.com/articles/hellerau |title=Hellerau |website=Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism |access-date=4 June 2020 |archive-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604013034/https://www.rem.routledge.com/articles/hellerau |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1911, [[Heinrich Tessenow]] built the [[Festspielhaus Hellerau|Hellerau Festspielhaus]] (festival theatre). Until the outbreak of World War I, Hellerau was a centre for European [[modernism]] with international standing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hellerau.org/en/history/ |title=History |website=hellerau.org |access-date=4 June 2020 |archive-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604013033/https://www.hellerau.org/en/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wmf.org/project/festspielhaus-hellerau |title=Festspielhaus Hellerau |website=World Monuments Fund |access-date=4 June 2020 |archive-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604013041/https://www.wmf.org/project/festspielhaus-hellerau |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1950, Hellerau was incorporated into the city of Dresden. Today, the Hellerau reform architecture is recognized as exemplary. In the 1990s, the garden city of Hellerau became a [[conservation area]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Entwurf zur Moderne : Hellerau: Stand Ort Bestimmung ; [Dokumentation der Fachtagung in Hellerau 1995]|date=1996|publisher=Dt. Verl.-Anst|others=Durth, Werner., Bracher, Erich., Wüstenrot-Stiftung.|isbn=3-421-03217-3|location=Stuttgart|oclc=312519193}}</ref>

The [[German Hygiene Museum]] (built 1928–1930) is a signal example of [[modern architecture]] in Dresden in the interwar period. The building is designed in an impressively monumental style, but employs plain façades and simple structures.{{cn|date=August 2025}}

Important modernist buildings erected between 1945 and 1990 are the Centrum-Warenhaus (a large [[department store]]), representing the [[international Style (architecture)|international Style]], and the multi-purpose hall [[Kulturpalast (Dresden)|Kulturpalast]].{{cn|date=August 2025}}

====Contemporary architecture====
[[File:Dresden-Kristallpalast-nigh.jpg|thumb|The locally controversial UFA-Palast]]

After 1990 and German reunification, new styles emerged. Important contemporary buildings include the [[New Synagogue, Dresden|New Synagogue]], a [[postmodern architecture|postmodern]] building with few windows, the [[Transparent Factory]], the Saxon State Parliament and the New Terrace, the UFA-Kristallpalast cinema designed by [[Coop Himmelb(l)au]] (one of the biggest [[Deconstructivism |deconstructivist]] buildings in Germany), and the [[Saxon State Library]].

[[Daniel Libeskind]] and [[Norman Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank|Norman Foster]] both modified existing buildings. Foster roofed the main railway station with translucent Teflon-coated synthetics. Libeskind changed the whole structure of the [[Bundeswehr Military History Museum]] by placing a wedge through the historical arsenal building. According to Libeskind's studio, "[t]he façade's openness and transparency is intended to contrast with the opacity and rigidity of the existing building."<ref>{{cite web|last=Libeskind|first=Daniel|title=Military History Museum: Dresden, Germany|url=http://daniel-libeskind.com/projects/military-history-museum|work=Studio Daniel Libeskind|date=12 March 2014 |access-date=4 June 2020|archive-date=1 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201231527/http://daniel-libeskind.com/projects/military-history-museum|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Bridges====
Important bridges crossing the Elbe river are the [[Blaues Wunder]] bridge and the [[Augustus Bridge]]. 

In September 2024 one of the major Elbe river bridges in Dresden - [[Carola Bridge]], collapsed and is currently undergoing demolition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Germany: Bridge in Dresden collapses into Elbe river |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-bridge-in-dresden-collapses-into-elbe-river/a-70185172 |access-date=2026-04-05 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref>

====Statues====
[[Jean-Joseph Vinache]]'s golden [[equestrian statue]] of August the Strong, the ''Goldener Reiter'' (Golden Cavalier), is on the Neustädter Markt square. It shows August at the beginning of the Hauptstraße (Main street) on his way to Warsaw, where he was King of Poland in personal union. Another statue is the memorial of [[Martin Luther]] in front of the Frauenkirche.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187399-d9984802-Reviews-Martin_Luther_Monument-Dresden_Saxony.html|title=Martin Luther Monument (Dresden) – 2019 All You Need to Know Before You Go (with Photos) – Dresden, Germany|website=TripAdvisor|language=en-GB|access-date=29 January 2019|archive-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130161903/https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187399-d9984802-Reviews-Martin_Luther_Monument-Dresden_Saxony.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Parks and gardens===
[[Großer Garten]] is a [[Baroque garden]] in central Dresden. It includes the [[Dresden Zoo]] and the [[Botanischer Garten der Technischen Universität Dresden|Dresden Botanical Garden]].

The [[Dresden Heath]] is a large forest located in the northeast of Dresden and one of the city's most important recreation areas.

The park of [[Pillnitz Palace]] is famous for its botanical treasures, including a more than 230-year-old [[Japanese camellia]] and about 400 potted plants.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.schlosspillnitz.de/en/pillnitz-palace-park/ |title=Pillnitz Palace & Park |website=schlosspillnitz.de |access-date=2 July 2020 |archive-date=3 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703130207/https://www.schlosspillnitz.de/en/pillnitz-palace-park/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Main sights===
<gallery mode="packed-hover" widths="100px" heights="100px">
File:Dresden-Frauenkirche-night.jpg|[[Dresden Frauenkirche]]
File:Dresden-Zwinger.courtyard.07.JPG|[[Zwinger Palace]]
File:Dresden Germany Exterior-of-Semperoper-01.jpg|[[Semperoper]]
File:Dresden - Blick auf die Altstadt.jpg|Dresden New Town Hall
File:Akademie. Dresden.jpg|[[Dresden Academy of Fine Arts]]
File:Dresden Kreuzkirche 2008.jpg|[[Kreuzkirche, Dresden]]
File:Dresden Fürstenzug 065.JPG|[[Fürstenzug]]
File:Dresden-Muenzgasse1.jpg|Münzgasse
File:DD-Schloss-gp.jpg|[[Dresden Castle]]
File:Dresden-Hofkirche.04.jpg|[[Katholische Hofkirche]]
File:Dresden-Yenidze-night.jpg|[[Yenidze]] at night
File:Dresden_Aeussere_Neustadt.jpg|[[Äußere Neustadt|Dresden-Neustadt]]
File:Pillnitz13.jpg|[[Pillnitz Castle]]
File:Hygienemuseum.jpg|[[German Hygiene Museum]]
File:Militärhistorisches_Museum_der_Bundeswehr_October_2011.jpg|[[Bundeswehr Military History Museum]]
File:Blaueswunder01.jpg|[[Blue Wonder]]
File:Nymphenbad_1.JPG|''Nymphenbad''
File:Luftbildaufnahme des Großen Gartens in Dresden.jpg|[[Großer Garten]]
</gallery>

==Culture==
{{Main|Culture in Dresden}}

[[File:Dresden_Semperoper_2012.jpg|thumb|The [[Semperoper]], completely rebuilt and reopened in 1985]]

[[Carl Maria von Weber]] and [[Richard Wagner]] had a number of their works performed for the first time in Dresden.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.semperoper.de/en/about/semperoper-dresden/history-of-the-semperoper.html|title=History of the Semperoper|publisher=[[Semperoper]]|access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref> Other artists, such as [[Ernst Ludwig Kirchner]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.artnet.com/artists/ernst-ludwig-kirchner/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=www.artnet.com}}</ref> [[Otto Dix]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Otto Dix - Monoskop |url=https://monoskop.org/Otto_Dix |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=monoskop.org}}</ref> [[Oskar Kokoschka]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oskar Kokoschka |url=https://allenartcollection.oberlin.edu/people/4171/oskar-kokoschka |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=allenartcollection.oberlin.edu |language=en}}</ref> [[Richard Strauss]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dresden |first=SLUB |title=Richard Strauss ... |url=https://www.slub-dresden.de/en/explore/music/music-manuscripts-and-early-printed-music/richard-strauss |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=www.slub-dresden.de |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Schmid |first=Rebecca |date=2014-04-10 |title=Richard Strauss and Dresden, a Bond Unbroken |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/11/arts/international/Richard-Strauss-and-Dresden-a-Bond-Unbroken.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[Gottfried Semper]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gottfried Semper |url=https://architectuul.com/architect/gottfried-semper |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Architectuul}}</ref> and [[Gret Palucca]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gret Palucca – herstory-sachsen.de |url=http://www.herstory-sachsen.de/en-gret-palucca/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |language=de}}</ref> were also active in the city. Dresden is also home to several art collections and musical ensembles.

===Entertainment===
[[File:Striezelmarkt 2009 00950.jpg|thumb|View over Altmarkt (Old market) during [[Striezelmarkt]]]]

The Saxon State Opera descends from the opera company of the former electors and Kings of Saxony. Their first opera house was the {{lang|de|[[Opernhaus am Taschenberg]]|italic=no}}, opened in 1667. The [[Opernhaus am Zwinger]] presented opera from 1719 to 1756, when the [[Seven Years' War]] began. The later [[Semperoper]] was completely destroyed during the bombing of Dresden during the second world war. The opera's reconstruction was completed exactly 40 years later, on 13 February 1985. Its musical ensemble is the ''[[Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden]]'', founded in 1548.<ref>Semperoper: [http://www.semperoper.de/en/staatskapelle/history.html History of the Sächsische Staatskapelle] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405053819/http://www.semperoper.de/en/staatskapelle/history.html|date=5 April 2008}}</ref> The [[Staatsschauspiel Dresden|Dresden State Theatre]] runs a number of smaller theatres. The Dresden State Operetta is the only independent [[operetta]] in Germany.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.staatsoperette-dresden.de/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216030656/http://www.staatsoperette-dresden.de/en|url-status=dead|title=Startseite &#124; Staatsoperette Dresden|archivedate=16 February 2008|website=www.staatsoperette-dresden.de|accessdate=4 April 2023}}</ref> The ''Herkuleskeule'' ([[Hercules]] [[club (weapon)|club]]) is an important site in [[Kabarett|German-speaking political cabaret]].

There are several choirs in Dresden, the best-known of which is the [[Dresdner Kreuzchor]] (Choir of [[Christian cross|The Holy Cross]]). It is a boys' choir drawn from pupils of the [[Kreuzschule]], and was founded in the 13th century.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kreuzchor.de/english/chor.php|archiveurl=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160522173242/http://www.kreuzchor.de/english/chor.php|url-status=dead|title=Kreuzchor|archivedate=22 May 2016|accessdate=4 April 2023}}</ref> The ''Dresdner Kapellknaben'' are not related to the ''Staatskapelle'', but to the former ''Hofkapelle'', the Catholic cathedral, since 1980. The [[Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra]] is the orchestra of the city of Dresden.

Throughout the summer, the outdoor concert series "Zwingerkonzerte und Mehr" is held in the [[Zwinger (Dresden)|''Zwingerhof'']]. Performances include dance and music.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.concerts-dresden.com/en/enjoy-classical-concerts-in-dresden-at-dresden-zwinger-palace.html|title=Enjoy Classical Concerts in Dresden, at Dresden Zwinger Palace|website=concerts-dresden.com|url-status=dead|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920161550/https://www.concerts-dresden.com/en/enjoy-classical-concerts-in-dresden-at-dresden-zwinger-palace.html}}</ref>

There are several small cinemas presenting [[cult film]]s and low-budget or low-profile films chosen for their cultural value. Dresden also has a few multiplex cinemas, of which the Rundkino is one.

Dresden's [[Striezelmarkt]] is one of the largest [[Christmas market]]s in Germany. Founded as a one-day market in 1434, it is considered the first genuine Christmas market in the world.<ref name="The German Way & More"/>

A big event each year in June is the [[Bunte Republik Neustadt]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brn-dresden.de/index.html|title=Bunte Republik Neustadt|website=brn-dresden.de|access-date=20 September 2019|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828092608/http://www.brn-dresden.de/index.html}}</ref> a culture festival lasting three days in the city district of [[Innere Neustadt (Dresden)|Dresden-Neustadt]]. Bands play live concerts for free in the streets and there are refreshments and food.

===Museums===
[[File:RAFAEL - Madonna Sixtina (Gemäldegalerie Alter Meister, Dresde, 1513-14. Óleo sobre lienzo, 265 x 196 cm).jpg|thumb|upright|''[[Sistine Madonna]]'' by [[Raphael]] in the ''[[Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister]]'']]

Dresden hosts the ''[[Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden]]'' (Dresden State Art Collections) which, according to the institution's own statements, place it among the most important museums presently in existence. The art collections consist of twelve museums, including the ''[[Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister]]'' (Old Masters Gallery) and the ''[[Grünes Gewölbe]]'' (Green Vault) and the ''[[Japanese Palace]]'' (Japanisches Palais).<ref>Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden: [http://www.skd-dresden.de/en/museen.html Museums] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019130620/http://www.skd-dresden.de/en/museen.html|date=19 October 2007}}</ref> Also known are ''[[Galerie Neue Meister]]'' (New Masters Gallery), ''[[Dresden Armory|Rüstkammer]]'' (Armoury) with the [[Dresden Armory#Turkish Chamber|Turkish Chamber]], and the ''[[Dresden Museum of Ethnology|Museum für Völkerkunde Dresden]]'' (Museum of Ethnology).
Other museums and collections owned by the Free State of Saxony in Dresden are:
* The ''[[German Hygiene Museum|Deutsche Hygiene-Museum]]'', founded for [[mass education]] in hygiene, health, [[human biology]] and medicine<ref>Deutsches Hygiene-Museum: [http://www.dhmd.de/neu/index.php?id=923 Deutsches Hygiene-Museum – The Museum of Man] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102042550/http://www.dhmd.de/neu/index.php?id=923|date=2 January 2011}}</ref>
* The ''Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte'' (State Museum of Prehistory)<ref>[http://www.archsax.sachsen.de/lmv/content/288_DEU_Screen.htm State Museum of Prehistory] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303010447/http://www.archsax.sachsen.de/lmv/content/288_DEU_Screen.htm|date=3 March 2008}}</ref>
* The ''Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden'' (Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.senckenberg.de/en/institutes/senckenberg-naturhistorische-sammlung-dresden/ |title=Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden |website=senckenberg.de |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610210231/https://www.senckenberg.de/en/institutes/senckenberg-naturhistorische-sammlung-dresden/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The ''Universitätssammlung Kunst + Technik'' (Collection of Art and Technology of the Dresden University of Technology)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tu-dresden.de/kustodie/sammlungen-kunstbesitz |title=Collections & Art |website=TU Dresden |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=16 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416203148/https://tu-dresden.de/kustodie/sammlungen-kunstbesitz |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''[[Dresden Transport Museum|Verkehrsmuseum Dresden]]'' (Transport Museum)
* ''Festung Dresden'' (Dresden Fortress)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.festung-dresden.de/en/home/|title=Festung Dresden|website=festung-dresden.de|url-status=dead|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920161547/https://www.festung-dresden.de/en/home/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dresdner-verein-bruehlsche-terrasse.de/seiten/frameset.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722005520/http://www.dresdner-verein-bruehlsche-terrasse.de/seiten/frameset.htm|url-status=dead|title=Dresdner Verein Brühlsche Terrasse|archivedate=22 July 2012|accessdate=4 April 2023}}</ref>
* ''Panometer Dresden ([[Dresden Panometer]])'' (Panorama museum)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panometer.de/dresden/panometer-dresden/|title=Das Panometer – Ein ungewöhnliches Museum in Dresden|website=panometer.de|language=de|url-status=dead|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803194758/http://www.panometer.de/dresden/panometer-dresden/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stadtrundfahrt.com/dresden/eintritt-asisi-panometer/|title=Panometer Dresden – Eintritt ohne Wartezeit|website=stadtrundfahrt.com|language=de|url-status=dead|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804014003/https://www.stadtrundfahrt.com/dresden/eintritt-asisi-panometer/}}</ref>

The [[Dresden City Museum]] is run by the city of Dresden and focused on the city's history.

The [[Bundeswehr Military History Museum]] is placed in the former garrison in the Albertstadt.

The book museum of the [[Saxon State Library]] presents the [[Dresden Codex]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdl.org/pt/item/11621/|title=O Códice de Dresden|website=[[World Digital Library]]|date=1200–1250|access-date=21 August 2013|archive-date=2 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191119/http://www.wdl.org/pt/item/11621/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Kraszewski Museum is a museum dedicated to the most prolific [[Polish people|Polish]] writer [[Józef Ignacy Kraszewski]], who lived in Dresden from 1863 to 1883.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://museen-dresden.de/index.php?lang=en&node=kraszewskimuseum |title=Kraszewski Museum |website=museen-dresden.de |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730024743/https://museen-dresden.de/index.php?lang=en&node=kraszewskimuseum |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Transport==
{{Main|Transport in Dresden}}

[[File:NGTD12DD front.jpg|thumb|The longest trams in Dresden set a record in length.]]

===Bus===
[[Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe|DVB]] is the municipal company in charge of [[Transport|transport in the city of Dresden]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvb.de/en-GB/|title=DVB Homepage|publisher=[[Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe]] |access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref> DVB provides a [[Night service (public transport)|night service]] named {{Lang|de|GuteNachtLinie}} ('goodnight lines'), which operates Monday-Sunday, although the frequency of the buses is greater on Friday, Saturday and before holidays when the routes run every 30 minutes between 22:45 and 04:45.<ref name="Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe">{{cite web |url=https://www.dvb.de/en-gb/timetable/night-time-travel|title=Night-time travel on the GuteNachtLinie routes|publisher=[[Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe]] |access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref> [[Postplatz (Dresden)|Postplatz]] is the most important hub for night-time travel in Dresden. Most GuteNachtLinie routes meet here at the same time to allow people to switch routes.<ref name="Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvb.de/-/media/files/liniennetz/gnl_bau_grossenhainer_310122_pdf.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.dvb.de/-/media/files/liniennetz/gnl_bau_grossenhainer_310122_pdf.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=GuteNachtLinie network Map (Valid from 2022-01-31)|publisher=[[Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe]] |access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref>

===Roads===
The [[Bundesautobahn 4]] ([[European route E40]]) crosses Dresden in the northwest from west to east. The [[Bundesautobahn 17]] leaves the A4 in a south-eastern direction. In Dresden it begins to cross the Ore Mountains towards Prague. The [[Bundesautobahn 13]] leaves from the three-point interchange "Dresden-Nord" and goes to Berlin. The A13 and the A17 are on the [[European route E55]]. In addition, several [[Bundesstraße]]n (federal highways) run through Dresden.

===Rail===
[[File:Dresden Mainstation 2007 04 23.JPG|thumb|[[Dresden Hauptbahnhof|Dresden Central Station]] is the main inter-city transport hub.]]

There are two main inter-city transit hubs in the railway network in Dresden: [[Dresden Hauptbahnhof]] and [[Dresden-Neustadt railway station]]. The most important railway lines run to Berlin, Prague, Leipzig and Chemnitz. A [[Regional rail|commuter train]] system ([[Dresden S-Bahn]]) operates on three lines alongside the long-distance routes.

===Air===
[[Dresden Airport]] is the city's [[international airport]], located at the north-western outskirts of the city. After German reunification the airport's infrastructure has been considerably improved. In 1998, a motorway access route was opened.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dresden-airport.de/homepage/company/structure-facts-staff/history/1989-to-2000.html |title=1989 to 2000 |website=dresden-airport.de |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210175236/http://www.dresden-airport.de/homepage/company/structure-facts-staff/history/1989-to-2000.html |archive-date=10 February 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 2001, a new terminal building was opened along with the underground [[Dresden S-Bahn|S-Bahn station]] [[Dresden Flughafen station|Dresden Flughafen]], a multi-storey car park and a new aircraft handling ramp.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dresden-airport.de/company/structure-facts-staff/history/2001-to-the-present-day.html |title=2001 to the present day |website=dresden-airport.de |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=20 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320221514/https://www.dresden-airport.de/company/structure-facts-staff/history/2001-to-the-present-day.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dresden is also directly connected to [[Berlin Brandenburg Airport]] by the [[Intercity (Deutsche Bahn)|IC 17]].

===Trams===
Dresden has a [[Trams in Dresden|large tram network]] operated by [[Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe]], the municipal transport company. It operates twelve lines on a {{convert|200|km|0|abbr=on}} network.<ref>Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe: {{cite web|url=http://dvb.de/untnehm/unnehm.htm|title=Profile|access-date=29 November 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128233503/http://dvb.de/untnehm/unnehm.htm|archive-date=28 January 2008}}</ref> Many of the new [[low floor|low-floor]] vehicles are up to 45 metres long and produced by [[Bombardier Transportation]] in [[Bautzen]]. While about 30% of the system's lines are on [[reserved track]] (often sown with grass to reduce noise), many tracks still run on the streets, especially in the inner city.<ref>Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe: [https://www.dvb.de/de-de/die-dvb/technik/gleise-haltestellen/ Gleise und Haltestellen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826071514/https://www.dvb.de/de-de/die-dvb/technik/gleise-haltestellen/ |date=26 August 2017 }}</ref>

The [[CarGoTram]] was a tram that supplied Volkswagen's [[Transparent Factory]], crossing the city. The transparent factory was located not far from the city centre next to the city's largest park.<ref>Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe: {{cite web|url=http://www.dvb.de/untnehm/gbahn.htm|title=CarGoTram|access-date=21 May 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216101751/http://www.dvb.de/untnehm/gbahn.htm|archive-date=16 December 2007}}</ref>

The districts of Loschwitz and Weisser Hirsch are connected by the [[Dresden Funicular Railway]], which has been carrying passengers back and forth since 1895.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dvb.de/de-de/entdecken/bergbahnen/standseilbahn/|title=Standseilbahn: Von Loschwitz zum Weißen Hirsch|website=Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe|language=de|access-date=13 June 2020|archive-date=30 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730040631/https://www.dvb.de/de-de/entdecken/bergbahnen/standseilbahn/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Dresden}}

{{More citations needed section|date=June 2020}}

[[File:Luftbild AMD Dresden 2005.jpg|thumb|[[GlobalFoundries]] semiconductor factory]]
[[File:Glaeserne Manufaktur Dresden.JPG|thumb|[[Transparent Factory]] owned by [[Volkswagen]]]]

Until enterprises like [[Dresdner Bank]] left Dresden in the communist era to avoid [[nationalisation]], Dresden was one of the most important German cities, an important industrial centre of the German Democratic Republic.{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}} The period of the [[German Democratic Republic|GDR]] until 1990 was characterized by low economic growth in comparison to western German cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/Economic-unification-and-beyond|title=The East German system: Economic unification and beyond|publisher=[[Britannica]]|access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref> In 1990 Dresden had to struggle with the [[economic collapse]] of [[Soviet Union|the Soviet Union]] and the other export markets in Eastern Europe. After reunification enterprises and production sites broke down almost completely as they entered the [[social market economy]], facing competition from the Federal Republic of Germany. After 1990 a completely new [[legal system]] and currency system was introduced and infrastructure was largely rebuilt with funds from the Federal Republic of Germany. Dresden as a major urban centre has developed much faster and more consistently than most other regions in the former German Democratic Republic.

Between 1990 and 2010 the [[unemployment|unemployment rate]] fluctuated between 13% and 15%, but has decreased significantly ever since. In December 2019 the unemployment rate was 5.3%, the fourth lowest among the 15 largest cities of Germany (after [[Munich]], [[Stuttgart]] and [[Nuremberg]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de/Navigation/Statistik/Statistik-nach-Regionen/BA-Gebietsstruktur/Sachsen/Dresden-Nav.html?year_month=201912 |title=Arbeitsmarkt im Überblick – Berichtsmonat Dezember 2019 – Dresden, Agentur für Arbeit |website=Agentur für Arbeit |language=de |access-date=11 May 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730024804/https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de/Navigation/Statistik/Statistik-nach-Regionen/BA-Gebietsstruktur/Sachsen/Dresden-Nav.html?year_month=201912 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, the [[Gross domestic product|GDP per capita]] of Dresden was 39,134 euros, the highest in Saxony.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.l-iz.de/wirtschaft/metropolregion/2019/08/Auch-beim-BIP-wird-das-Erstarken-der-Dienstleistungs-Leuchttuerme-Leipzig-und-Dresden-sichtbar-291889 |title=Auch beim BIP wird das Erstarken der Dienstleistungs-Leuchttürme Leipzig und Dresden sichtbar |website=Leipziger Internet Zeitung |date=25 August 2019 |language=de |access-date=11 May 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730030956/https://www.l-iz.de/wirtschaft/metropolregion/2019/08/Auch-beim-BIP-wird-das-Erstarken-der-Dienstleistungs-Leuchttuerme-Leipzig-und-Dresden-sichtbar-291889 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Thanks to the presence of public administration centres, a high density of semi-public research institutes and an extension of publicly funded high technology sectors, the proportion of highly qualified workers Dresden is again among the highest in Germany and by European criteria.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dresden-convention.com/en/dresden/destination-dresden/business-and-science|title=Future made in Dresden|publisher=Dresden Convention|access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref>

In 2019, Dresden had the seventh-best future prospects of all cities in Germany, after being ranked fourth in 2017.<ref name="berenberg.de"/> According to the 2019 study by Forschungsinstitut Prognos, Dresden is one of the most dynamic regions in Germany. It ranks at number 41 of all 401 German regions and second of all regions in former East Germany (only surpassed by [[Jena]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lvz.de/Region/Mitteldeutschland/Zukunftsatlas-Leipzig-ist-dynamischste-Region-Deutschlands|title=Zukunftsatlas: Leipzig ist dynamischste Region Deutschlands|website=LVZ – Leipziger Volkszeitung|date=5 July 2019 |language=de|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=5 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705183234/https://www.lvz.de/Region/Mitteldeutschland/Zukunftsatlas-Leipzig-ist-dynamischste-Region-Deutschlands|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/zukunftsatlas-2019-das-sind-die-deutschen-regionen-mit-den-besten-zukunftsaussichten/24521120.html|title=Zukunftsatlas 2019: Das sind die deutschen Regionen mit den besten Zukunftsaussichten|website=www.handelsblatt.com|language=de|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=5 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705183309/https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/zukunftsatlas-2019-das-sind-die-deutschen-regionen-mit-den-besten-zukunftsaussichten/24521120.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://standort-sachsen.de/de/gruender/info-center/nachrichten/76377-zukunftsatlas-deutschland-2019-leipzig-ist-dynamiksieger|title=Zukunftsatlas Deutschland 2019: Leipzig ist Dynamiksieger|website=standort-sachsen.de|language=de|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723194149/https://standort-sachsen.de/de/gruender/info-center/nachrichten/76377-zukunftsatlas-deutschland-2019-leipzig-ist-dynamiksieger|archive-date=23 July 2019|access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref>

===Enterprises===
Three major sectors dominate Dresden's economy:

The semiconductor sector as part of [[Silicon Saxony]]'s semiconductor industry was built up in 1969. Major enterprises today include [[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]]'s semiconductor fabrication spin-off [[GlobalFoundries]], [[Infineon Technologies]], [[ZMDI]] and Toppan Photomasks. Their factories attract many suppliers of material and cleanroom technology enterprises to Dresden.

The pharmaceutical sector developed at the end of the 19th century. The 'Sächsisches Serumwerk Dresden' (Saxon Serum Plant, Dresden), owned by [[GlaxoSmithKline]], is a global leader in [[vaccine]] production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://standort-sachsen.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Brochure_LIFE_SCIENCES_Saxony.pdf|title=Standort Sachsens: Zebrafish, Team Spirit and Superb Ideas|publisher=Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen|page=2|access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref> Another traditional pharmaceuticals producer is Arzneimittelwerke Dresden (Pharmaceutical Works, Dresden).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://resprotect.de/presse/artikel/060320_Biotechn_engl_Internet.pdf|title=Living science: Biotechnology in Dresden|publisher=Landeshauptstadt Dresden|pages=32–36|access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref>

A third traditional branch is that of mechanical and [[electrical engineering]]. Major employers are [[Elbe Flugzeugwerke]] (Elbe Aircraft Works), [[Siemens]] and [[The Linde Group|Linde-KCA-Dresden]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2015}} The tourism industry enjoys high revenue and supports many employees. There are around one hundred bigger hotels in Dresden, many of which cater in the upscale range.{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}}

===Media===
The media in Dresden include two major newspapers of regional record: the ''[[Sächsische Zeitung]]'' (''Saxon Newspaper'', circulation around 228,000) and the ''[[Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten]]'' (''Dresden's Latest News'', circulation around 50,000). Dresden has a broadcasting centre belonging to the [[Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk]]. The ''Dresdner Druck- und Verlagshaus'' (Dresden printing plant and publishing house) produces part of [[Der Spiegel|Spiegel]]'s [[print run]], amongst other newspapers and magazines.{{Citation needed|date=March 2015}}

==Education and science==
[[File:TU-Dresden-Georg-Schumann-Bau.jpg|thumb|[[TU Dresden]]]]
[[File:Dresden Germany City-views-from-tower-of-Frauenkirche-01.jpg|thumb|[[Dresden Academy of Fine Arts]]]]

===Universities===
Dresden is home to a number of renowned universities, but among German cities it is a more recent location for academic education.
* The [[Dresden University of Technology]] (Technische Universität Dresden, abbreviated as TU Dresden or TUD) with more than 36,000 students (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/profil/portrait|title=About TU Dresden – Short Portrait|access-date=20 September 2019|url-status=dead|website=tu-dresden.de|archive-date=19 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719021233/https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/profil/portrait}}</ref> was founded in 1828 and is among the oldest and largest [[University of Technology|Universities of Technology]] in Germany. It is currently the university of technology in Germany with the largest number of students but also has many courses in [[social studies]], economics and other non-technical sciences. It offers 126 courses. In 2006, the TU Dresden was successful in the [[German Universities Excellence Initiative]] of the [[Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany)]].
* The [[Dresden University of Applied Sciences]] (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Dresden) was founded in 1992 and had about 5,300 students in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.htw-dresden.de/oea/Presse/06_Imma.pdf|title=HTW Dresden immatrikuliert 1.434 Studierende|website=htw-dresden.de|language=de|access-date=20 September 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607030317/http://www.htw-dresden.de/oea/Presse/06_Imma.pdf|archive-date=7 June 2007}}</ref>
* The [[Dresden Academy of Fine Arts]] (Hochschule für Bildende Künste Dresden) was founded in 1764 and is known for its former professors and artists such as [[George Grosz]], [[Sascha Schneider]], [[Otto Dix]], [[Oskar Kokoschka]], [[Bernardo Bellotto]], Carl-Gustav Carus, [[Caspar David Friedrich]] and [[Gerhard Richter]].
* The [[Palucca School of Dance]] (Palucca Hochschule für Tanz)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.palucca.eu/en.html |title=Palucca Hochschule für Tanz |access-date=15 March 2016 |archive-date=16 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316125114/http://www.palucca.eu/en.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> was founded by [[Gret Palucca]] in 1925 and is a major European school of [[free dance]].
* The [[Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden|Carl Maria von Weber College of Music]] was founded in 1856.

Other universities include the ''Hochschule für Kirchenmusik'', a school specialising in [[Christian music|church music]], and the ''Evangelische Hochschule für Sozialarbeit'', an education institution for social work.{{Citation needed|date=March 2015}} The ''Dresden International University'' is a private postgraduate university, founded in 2003 in cooperation with the Dresden University of Technology.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.di-uni.de/diu-dresden-international-university |title=Mission, Leitbild und Ziele |website=Dresden International University |language=de |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730041528/https://www.di-uni.de/diu-dresden-international-university |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Research institutes===
Dresden hosts many [[research institute]]s, some of which have gained an international standing. The domains of most importance are micro- and nanoelectronics, transport and infrastructure systems, material and photonic technology, and bio-engineering. The institutes are well connected among one other as well as with the academic education institutions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dresden.de/en/business/science-and-innovation/research-institutions.php|title=Research Institutions – Science and Innovation|website=dresden.de|url-status=dead|language=en|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608075315/https://www.dresden.de/en/business/science-and-innovation/research-institutions.php}}</ref>

[[Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf]] is the largest complex of research facilities in Dresden, a short distance outside the urban areas. It focuses on [[nuclear medicine]] and physics. As part of the [[Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres|Helmholtz Association]] it is one of the German [[Big Science]] research centres.

The [[Max Planck Society]] focuses on [[research|fundamental research]]. There are three Max Planck Institutes (MPI) in Dresden: the [[Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics|MPI of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics]], the [[Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids|MPI for Chemical Physics of Solids]], and the [[Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems|MPI for the Physics of Complex Systems]].<ref>{{Cite journal|year=2014|title=Annual Report|url=https://www.germaninnovation.org/shared/content/documents/annual-report-mpg-2014.pdf|journal=Max Planck Society|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015173822/http://germaninnovation.org/shared/content/documents/annual-report-mpg-2014.pdf|archive-date=15 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Fraunhofer Society]] hosts institutes of applied research that also offer mission-oriented research to enterprises. With eleven institutions or parts of institutes, Dresden is the largest location of the Fraunhofer Society worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fraunhofer.de/en.html|title=Homepage Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft|website=fraunhofer.de|url-status=dead|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=27 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927084406/https://www.fraunhofer.de/en.html}}</ref> The Fraunhofer Society has become an important factor in location decisions and is seen as a useful part of the "knowledge infrastructure".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.isi.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/isi/dokumente/ccp/unternehmen-region/2012/ap_r4_2012.pdf|title=The Role of Geographical Proximity in Innovation|publisher=[[Fraunhofer Society]]|page=6|access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref>

The [[Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Scientific Community|Leibniz Community]] is a union of institutes with science covering fundamental research and applied research. In Dresden there are three Leibniz Institutes. The [[Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ipfdd.de/en/about-us/|title=About us – Our mission|website=ipfdd.de|language=en|access-date=20 September 2019|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920054437/http://www.ipfdd.de/en/about-us/}}</ref> and the [[Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ifw-dresden.de/about-us/|title=What is the IFW?|website=ifw-dresden.de|language=en|url-status=dead|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=31 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231164747/https://www.ifw-dresden.de/about-us/}}</ref> are both in the material and [[high tech|high-technology]] domain, while the Leibniz Institute for Ecological Urban and Regional Development is focused on more fundamental research into urban planning.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ioer.de/en/institute/ioer-leitbild|title=IOER Leitbild|publisher=[[Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development]]|access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref> The Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf  was member of the Leibniz Community until the end of 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pNid=1121&pOid=10189|title=Facts and Data about the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf|publisher=[[Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf]]|access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref>

===Higher secondary education===
Dresden has more than 20 [[Gymnasium (Germany)|gymnasia]] which prepare for a tertiary education, five of which are private.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stadtwikidd.de/wiki/Liste_der_Gymnasien|title=Liste der Gymnasien – www.stadtwikidd.de|website=Stadtwiki Dresden|publisher=stadtwikidd.de|access-date=2 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403175137/http://www.stadtwikidd.de/wiki/Liste_der_Gymnasien|archive-date=3 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ''Sächsisches Landesgymnasium für Musik'' with a focus on music is supported, as its name implies by the State of Saxony, rather than by the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cms.sachsen.schule/musikgym/willkommen/impressumdisclaimer/|title=Impressum/Disclaimer – Schulträger Freistaat Sachsen|publisher=cms.sachsen|access-date=21 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202080506/https://cms.sachsen.schule/musikgym/willkommen/impressumdisclaimer/|url-status=live}}</ref> There are some ''Berufliche Gymnasien'' which combine [[vocational education]] and secondary education and an ''Abendgymnasium'' which prepares higher education of adults avocational.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dresden.de/en/03/03/Schools-in-figures.php|title=Schools in Figures {{!}} Landeshauptstadt Dresden|website=dresden.de|language=de|url-status=dead|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608075529/https://www.dresden.de/en/03/03/Schools-in-figures.php|archive-date=8 June 2019}}</ref>

==Sport==
[[File:Dresden, Lennéstraße 12, Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, 17.6.2.40-060751.jpg|thumb|250x250px|The [[Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion]], the current home of Dynamo Dresden]]

Dresden is home to [[Dynamo Dresden]], which had a tradition in [[European Cup and Champions League history|UEFA club competitions]] up to the early 1990s. Dynamo Dresden won eight titles in the [[DDR-Oberliga]]. Currently, the club is a member of the [[2. Bundesliga]] after some seasons in the [[Bundesliga]] and [[3. Liga]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://datencenter.dfb.de/en/clubs/40|title=Sportgemeinschaft Dynamo Dresden e. V. :: DFB – Deutscher Fußball-Bund e.V.|website=datencenter.dfb.de|language=en|access-date=20 January 2017|archive-date=28 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528133454/https://www.dfb.de/en/data-center/clubs/sg-dynamo-dresden-e-v?action=show&controller=clubs&id=40&locale=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the early 20th century, the city was represented by [[Dresdner SC]], who were one of Germany's most successful clubs in football. Their best performances came during World War II, when they were twice German [[German football champions|champions]], and twice [[DFB Pokal|Cup]] winners. Dresdner SC is a multisport club. While its [[football team]] plays in the sixth-tier [[Landesliga Sachsen]], its volleyball section has a team in the women's [[Bundesliga (volleyball)|Bundesliga]]. Dresden has a third [[association football|football]] team [[SC Borea Dresden]].

[[Dresdner Eislöwen|ESC Dresdner Eislöwen]] is an [[ice hockey]] club playing in the second-tier ice hockey league [[DEL2]].

[[Dresden Monarchs]] are an [[American football]] team in the [[German Football League]].

The [[Dresden Titans]] are the city's top basketball team. Due to good performances, they have moved up several divisions and currently play in Germany's second division [[ProA]]. The Titans' home arena is the Margon Arena.

Since 1890, [[horse race]]s have taken place and the Dresdener Rennverein 1890 e.V. are active and one of the big sporting events in Dresden.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://drv1890.de|title=Dresdener Rennverein 1890 e.V. – Pferderennsport in Dresden|language=de|url-status=dead|access-date=20 September 2019|website=drv1890.de|archive-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817143522/https://drv1890.de/}}</ref>

Major sporting facilities in Dresden are the [[Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion]], the [[Heinz-Steyer-Stadion]] and the [[EnergieVerbund Arena]] for [[ice hockey]].

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany}}

Dresden and [[Coventry]] became twins after World War II in an act of [[Vergangenheitsbewältigung|reconciliation]], as both had suffered near-total destruction from [[Strategic bombing|massive aerial bombing]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6210/dresden_germany|title=Coventry's twin towns and cities – Dresden, Germany|website=coventry.gov.uk/|access-date=12 June 2020|archive-date=12 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612225052/https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6210/dresden_germany|url-status=live}}</ref> Similar symbolism occurred in 1988, when Dresden twinned with the Dutch city of [[Rotterdam]]. The [[Coventry Blitz]] and [[Rotterdam Blitz]] bombardments by the German [[Luftwaffe]] are also considered to be [[Proportionality (law)#International law|disproportional]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Maier |first1=Charles S. |title=Targeting the city: Debates and silences about the aerial bombing of World War II |journal=International Review of the Red Cross |date=September 2005 |volume=87 |issue=859|pages=429–444 |doi=10.1017/S1816383100184322 |s2cid=145528839 }}</ref>

Dresden has had a triangular partnership with [[Saint Petersburg]] and [[Hamburg]] since 1987. Dresden is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Partnerstädte und befreundete Städte|url=https://www.dresden.de/de/leben/stadtportrait/europa/partnerstaedte-und-befreundete-staedte.php|website=dresden.de|publisher=Dresden|language=de|access-date=12 February 2021|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302195301/https://www.dresden.de/de/leben/stadtportrait/europa/partnerstaedte-und-befreundete-staedte.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Coventry]], England (1959)
*[[Saint Petersburg]], Russia (1961)
*[[Wrocław]], Poland (1963)
*[[Skopje]], North Macedonia (1967)
*[[Ostrava]], Czech Republic (1971)
*[[Brazzaville]], Congo (1975)
*[[Florence]], Italy (1978)
*[[Hamburg]], Germany (1987)
*[[Rotterdam]], Netherlands (1988)
*[[Strasbourg]], France (1990)
*[[Salzburg]], Austria (1991)
*[[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]], United States (1992)
*[[Rouen]], France (1994)
*[[Hangzhou]], China (2009)
{{div col end}}

===Friendly cities===
Dresden also has friendly relations with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Befreundete Städte|url=https://www.dresden.de/de/leben/stadtportrait/europa/partnerstaedte-und-befreundete-staedte.php|website=dresden.de|publisher=Dresden|language=de|access-date=12 February 2021|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302195301/https://www.dresden.de/de/leben/stadtportrait/europa/partnerstaedte-und-befreundete-staedte.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Daejeon]], South Korea
*[[Gmina Gostyń|Gostyń]], Poland
*[[Huế]], Vietnam
*[[Shiraz]], Iran

==Notable people==
=== Public service ===
* [[Augustus II the Strong]] (1670–1733), Elector of Saxony and King of Poland.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Augustus II. | volume= 2 | pages = 915–916 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Augustus III of Poland]] (1696–1763), Elector of Saxony and King of Poland.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Augustus III. | volume= 2 | page = 916 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Frederick Augustus I of Saxony]] (1750–1827), King of Saxony.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Frederick Augustus I. | volume= 11 |last1= Hashagen |first1= Justus |author1-link= | pages = 60–61 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Anthony of Saxony]] (1755–1836), King of Saxony
* Count [[Heinrich von Bellegarde]] (1756–1845), ''[[Generalfeldmarschall]]'' and statesman.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Bellegarde, Heinrich Joseph Johannes | volume= 3 | page = 697 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Johann von Thielmann|Johann Adolf, Freiherr von Thielmann]] (1765–1824), Prussian cavalry soldier.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Thielmann, Johann Adolf | volume= 26 | page = 847 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Wilhelm Adolf Becker]] (1796–1846), classical scholar.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Becker, Wilhelm Adolf | volume= 3 | page = 608 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Frederick Augustus II of Saxony]] (1797–1854), King of Saxony.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Frederick Augustus II. | volume= 11 |last1= Hashagen |first1= Justus |author1-link=  | page = 61 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[John, King of Saxony]] (1801–1873), King of Saxony.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= John, King of Saxony | volume= 15 |last1= Hashagen |first1= Justus |author1-link=  | pages = 444–445 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Edwin Freiherr von Manteuffel]] (1809–1885), Prussian general field marshal.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Manteuffel, Edwin, Freiherr von | volume= 17 | page = 604 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Albert, King of Saxony]] (1828–1902), King of Saxony.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Albert (king of Saxony) | volume= 1 | page = 498 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[George, King of Saxony]] (1832–1904), King of Saxony.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= George, King of Saxony | volume= 11 | pages = 746–747 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Heinrich von Treitschke|Heinrich Gotthard Freiherr von Treitschke]] (1834–1896), historian, political writer and nationalist
* [[Ernst Brandes (politician)|Ernst Brandes]] (1862–1935), German lawyer, estate manager and politician
* [[Frederick Augustus III of Saxony]] (1865–1932), King of Saxony
* [[Amelie Beese]] (1886–1925), aviator
* [[Max Immelmann]] (1890–1916), WWI fighter pilot, first pilot awarded the [[Pour le Mérite]], known as the "Blue Max"
* [[Herbert Wehner]] (1906–1990), politician (SPD)
* [[Wolfgang Bergold]] (1913–1987), East German politician and diplomat
* [[Wolfgang Mischnick]] (1921–2002), politician (FDP)
* [[Peter Hoffmann (historian)|Peter Hoffmann]] (1930–2023), historian
* [[Gerhart Baum]] (1932–2025), politician (FDP)
* [[Andreas von Bülow]] (born 1937), politician and writer
* [[Christine Bergmann]] (born 1939), politician (SPD)
* [[Katja Kipping]] (born 1978), politician (The Left)

===Academics===
* [[Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus]] (1651–1708), German mathematician, physicist, physician, and philosopher
* [[Christoph M. Kimmich]] (born 1939), German-American historian and eighth President of [[Brooklyn College]]
* [[Gert Jäger]] (born 1935), translation scholar

=== Arts ===
* [[August Buchner]] (1591–1661), influential Baroque poet
* [[August Joseph Pechwell]] (1757–1811), painter
* [[Theodor Körner (author)|Theodor Körner]] (1791–1813), poet and soldier.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Körner, Karl Theodor | volume= 15 | page = 913 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Moritz Hauptmann]] (1792–1868), music theorist, teacher and composer.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Hauptmann, Moritz | volume= 13 | pages = 68–69 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Ludwig Richter]] (1803–1884), painter<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Richter, Adrian | volume= 23 | page = 312 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Amalie Scholl]] (1823–1879), German composer
* [[Hans von Bülow]] (1830–1894), conductor, virtuoso pianist and composer.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Bülow, Hans Guido von | volume= 4 | page = 795 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Georgina Schubert]] (1840–1878), composer and singer
* [[Paul Miersch]] (1868–1956), composer 
* [[Elsa Laura Wolzogen]] (1876–1945), composer
* [[Victor Klemperer]] (1881–1960), Jewish author of ''I Will Bear Witness''
* [[Erich Kästner]] (1899–1974), author of books
* [[Carle Hessay]] (1911–1978), Canadian painter
* [[Siegfried Geißler]] (1929–2014), composer, conductor, hornist and politician
* [[Gerhard Richter]] (born 1932), painter
* [[Gernot Roll]] (1939–2020), cinematographer, film director and script writer
* [[Thomas Fritsch]] (1944–2021), film, television and dubbing actor
* [[Erik Simon]] (born 1950), German science fiction writer, editor of anthologies of science fiction, literary critic of science fiction, and translator
* [[Andrea Ihle]] (born 1953), operatic soprano
* [[Martha Irmler]], ballet dancer
* [[Annette Jahns]] (1958–2020), operatic mezzo-soprano and contralto, and opera director
* [[Durs Grünbein]] (born 1962), poet and writer
* [[Siarhei Mikhalok]] (born 1972), Belarusian rock musician and actor

=== Science and business ===
* [[Georg Bartisch]] (ca.1535 – 1607), eye surgeon and author of first German-language textbook of [[ophthalmology]]
* [[Carl Friedrich Wenzel]] (ca.1740 – 1793), chemist and metallurgist.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Wenzel, Karl Friedrich | volume= 28 | pages = 521–522 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Georg Amadeus Carl Friedrich Naumann]] (1797–1873), mineralogist and geologist.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Naumann, Georg Amadeus Carl Friedrich | volume= 19 | page = 278 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Otto Linné Erdmann]] (1804–1869), chemist, introduced vaccination into Saxony.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Erdmann, Otto Linné | volume= 9 | page = 734 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[A. Lange & Söhne|Ferdinand A. Lange]] (1815–1875), watchmaker, founder of [[A. Lange & Söhne]]
* [[Julius Hermann Moritz Busch]] (1821–1899), publicist; ''"Bismarck's Boswell"''.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Busch, Julius Hermann Moritz | volume= 4 | page = 869 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Ernst Engel]] (1821–1896), statistician and economist; ''[[Engel curve]]'' & ''[[Engel's law]]''.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Engel, Ernst | volume= 9 | page = 405 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Melitta Bentz]] (1873–1950), inventor of the [[coffee filter]].
* [[Karl Reinisch]] (1921–2007), engineer
* [[Edith Schönert-Geiß]] (1933–2012), numismatist
* [[Marie Simon]] (1824–1877), nurse<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venske |first=Ruth |date=25 August 2009 |title=Biografie von Marie Simon (1824–1877) |trans-title=Biography of Marie Simon (1824–1877) |url=https://saebi.isgv.de/biografie/Marie_Simon_(1824-1877) |access-date=26 August 2023 |website=[[Sächsische Biografie]] |language=de}}</ref>
* [[Reinhart Heinrich]] (1946–2006), biophysicist

=== Sport ===
* [[Kurt Hitke]] (1889–1979), American racing driver
* [[Heinz Melkus]] (1928–2005), racing driver and founder of [[Melkus]]
* [[Curt Rottman]] (1886–1928), Olympic gymnast
* [[Matthias Sammer]] (born 1967), footballer and football coach
* [[Ad Santel]] (1887–1966), professional wrestler
* [[Helmut Schön]] (1915–1996), football coach
* [[Wolfgang Seidel]] (1926–1987), racing driver
* [[Fritz Wiessner]] (1900–1988), pioneer of free climbing
* [[Alexander Wolfe (wrestler)|Axel Tischer]] (born 1986), professional wrestler

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |title=Dresden: A City Reborn |publisher=Berg Publishers |editor-last=Russell |editor-first=Alan |editor2-last=Clayton |editor2-first=Anthony |location=United Kingdom |year=2001 |isbn= 9781859734414}}
* ''Dresden: Tuesday, 13 February 1945'' by Frederick Taylor, 2005; {{ISBN|0-7475-7084-1}}
* ''Dresden and the Heavy Bombers: An RAF Navigator's Perspective'' by Frank Musgrove, 2005; {{ISBN|1-84415-194-8}}
* ''Return to Dresden'' by Maria Ritter, 2004; {{ISBN|1-57806-596-8}}
* ''Dresden: Heute/Today'' by Dieter Zumpe, 2003; {{ISBN|3-7913-2860-3}}
* ''Destruction of Dresden'' by [[David Irving]], 1972; {{ISBN|0-345-23032-9}}
* ''[[Slaughterhouse-Five]]'' by Kurt Vonnegut, 1970; {{ISBN|0-586-03328-9}}
* ''Disguised Visibilities: Dresden'' by [[Mark Jarzombek]] in ''Memory and Architecture'', Ed. By Eleni Bastea, (University of Mexico Press, 2004).
* {{cite book |last=Miller|first=Michael |title = Gauleiter |volume = 2 |publisher = R James Bender Publishing |location=California |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-932970-32-6 }}
* ''Preserve and Rebuild: Dresden during the Transformations of 1989–1990. Architecture, Citizens Initiatives and Local Identities'' by Victoria Knebel, 2007; {{ISBN|978-3-631-55954-3}}
* ''La tutela del patrimonio culturale in caso di conflitto'' by Fabio Maniscalco (editor), 2002; {{ISBN|88-87835-18-7}}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
{{Main list|Timeline of Dresden#Bibliography
| l1 = Bibliography of the history of Dresden
}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikisource|Special:Search/Dresden|Dresden}}
* [https://www.dresden.de/index_en.php Official homepage]
* {{Wikivoyage-inline|Dresden}}
* [https://www.dresden.de/en/tourism/tourism.php Official tourism]
* [https://www.dvb.de/en-gb/Homepage/ Homepage of the Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe, the public transport provider]
* [https://www.dvb.de/en-gb/route-network/network-maps Network maps of the public transport system]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20200412221256/http://www.neumarkt-dresden.de/ Architektur klassisch: Gesellschaft Historischer Neumarkt Dresden e. V. | Unser Anliegen] Organisation for reconstruction of the Neumarkt

{{-}}
{{Geographic location
|Centre=Dresden
|North=Berlin
|Northeast=[[Cottbus]]
|East=[[Görlitz]]
|Southeast=
|South=[[Ústí nad Labem]] ([[Czech Republic]])
|Southwest=[[Chemnitz]]
|West=[[Leipzig]]
|Northwest=[[Dessau]]
}}

{{Capitals of the states of the Federal Republic of Germany}}
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{{Germany districts saxony}}
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{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dresden| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Saxony]]
[[Category:German state capitals]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 12th century]]
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