Observation Points

Throughout every historical era, observation towers were erected. While the city's historic buildings can be experienced in an up close and personal way during a walking tour, visiting an observation tower also affords a view of Dresden's bustling city life. It opens up the city's riches in a completely new way.

Climbing the Frauenkirche dome

The renovated Frauenkirche on the Neumarkt was ceremonially dedicated on October 30, 2005, 60 years after it was destroyed. Its monumental stone dome is comparable to the St. Peter's dome in Rome or Florence. Groups of 15 to 25 people can also tour the observation platform outside normal visiting hours.

Hausmannsturm

The Hausmannsturm is the main tower of the Palace complex. From 1674 to 1676, it was expanded to a height of 100 meters according to plans by chief master builder Wolf Caspar Klengel.

• Dresden-Card: Free admission to the Hausmannsturm

Kreuzkirche Church tower

After an 1897 fire, the church underwent reconstruction until 1900. The tower, built from 1784 to 1788, was designed by Court master builder and Academy professor G.A. Hoelzer, and is 94 meters tall. Its design was based on the tower of the Hofkirche Church. Climbing the tower means tackling 256 steps to the 54-meter observation platform. Before stepping out onto the platform, visitors walk through the »Tuermerstube«, where the tower keeper once lived.

• Dresden-Card: 50 % discount at the Kreuzkirche tower

Town Hall tower

In good weather, visitors to the 100-meter octagonal tower of the Town Hall can see all the way to the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. A 68-meter platform is accessible by elevator. The Rathausmann (Town Hall Man) has stood guard atop the tower since 1908. He is 4.9 meters tall and weighs 1,750 kilos.

Dreikoenigskirche Church tower

The tower of the Dreikoenigskirche Church dominates the skyline in the downtown Neustadt Quarter. This section was only added to the church nave between 1853 and 1857, and is 87.5 meters tall. The outer façade is adorned with sculptures, including the four Evangelists and the three wise men. The climb to the observation platform also takes visitors past the three bells.

Ernemann tower

The Striesen Quarter affords a completely different view of the city. While it was once the emblem of a well-known camera manufacturer, today it houses the Technische Sammlungen (Technical Collection). With its view across the brick-red roofs of the quarter and its relative proximity to the palaces of the Elbe Valley, this site provides one of Dresden's calmer but all the more charming vistas. The Ernemann tower was built from 1923 to 1924. It is 48 meters tall and has a total of twelve stories. The upper section houses a »Tower Café«.

Look-out Bismarcksaeule

The look-out Bismarcksaeule is of 23 metre height and located at the quarter Raecknitz. The Bismarcksaeule was designed as column of fire and was reconstructed extensively between 2004 and 2008. Since this time it has been used as look-out. The reconstruction of the Bismarcksaeule to become a look-out did require a redesign of the surrounding area. The promenade was plant by flowering apple trees and symbolizes the connection between the historical battle field of the wars of liberty during the time of Napoleon and the building of houses at the Raecknitzhoehe.

Fichte tower

A further look-out is located in the South of Dresden. The tower is of 30 meters height and was inaugurated in 1896 as Bismarck Tower. In 1954 it was renamed into Fichte Tower because of the 175th birthday of philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte. The Fichte Tower is emblem of the parkway of the same title. 153 stairs are taking you to the look-out.

Look-out at Hohen Stein

The tower can be viewed already from afar. The tower of 12 meter height is located at a surf outlier of a former cretaceous ocean, which is a natural monument of geology. The tower was built in 1864, has been changed in construction in the course of time and was reconstructed extensively between 2003 and 2004 after it has been closed due to danger of collapse in 1996. The tower pike is of 190 meters height above sea level. You can get the keys to enter the tower at the Café close-by for 10 euro pledge.