Dresden‘s Rise from Ruin: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
ID: GYG600195-1008871
Category:
Country: Germany
Duration:
01:15 hours
Description
Embark on an immersive audio tour from Dresden Central Station to Castle Square's cobbled charm. Along the way, uncover the history and ideology shaping the rebirth of Dresden's iconic landmarks.
Dresden isn’t unique in the way that old and new are intertwined in its urban spaces, but the contrast between past and present is sometimes difficult to reconcile. On this walking tour along Prager Strasse, you‘ll see both sides: the iconic, historical skyline from a vantage point on the bank of the Elbe River, and several signs of the city’s radical modern post-WWII reconstruction.
Starting in front of Dresden Central Station, you‘ll stroll past the glass-fronted buildings that form part of a post-war urban planning experiment, to cobbled Castle Square (Schlossplatz), which is surrounded by restored historical buildings. Along the way, you‘ll learn about the tragic history of this famous stretch, and hear about the ideology that shaped the rebuilding of post-war Dresden. You‘ll also find a forgotten message in the “Dresden Greets its Guests“ mural, and get a chance to make a wish at the statue of Bacchus‘ drunken donkey.
Along the way, you‘ll:
• Walk down Dresden‘s former shopping mile and hear about life before the war
• Find a sandstone marker from 1550 that commemorates the building of the old city walls of Dresden
• Spot the golden Hercules statue known as ‘Town Hall Man’ on top of Rathaus Dresden
• See Dresden Royal Palace, which dates back as far as the 1200s
• Learn about the darkening sandstone facade of Holy Cross Church
• Visit Altmarkt, the square where one of Germany‘s oldest Christmas markets is held
• Take in Centrum Galerie shopping centre and discover the phenomenon of longing for aspects of Eastern German life, known as “Ostalgie“
• Trace the Path of the Red Flag mural at the Palace of Culture (Kulturpalast), a cultural centre
This tour highlights the key moments in Dresden‘s architectural rebirth. All the while, you‘ll receive key historical context about the city, and the life of its residents before the war.
Highlights
- Discover key moments in Dresden‘s architectural rebirth
- Hear about where the past was restored and where it gave way to Dresden's future
- Get unlimited use of the tour before your booking date and after it
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• You need to install the VoiceMap smartphone app.
• You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
• This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
• When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
• This tour is only available in English.
The tour begins at the front of the Dresden Main Station. Take the trams 8 or 3 to the stop Dresden Hauptbahnhof, Main Station and you will be at the starting point. Ensure that you are at the front entrance that reads 'Hauptbahnhof' and not on the side.
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
Cancellation is not possible. If you cancel it anyway or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity and the money you paid will not be refunded.
