Delightful surroundings

The attractions around Dresden line up like pearls on a string: With its vineyards and wine taverns, Radebeul is often reminiscent of more Southern realms. In Moritzburg, visitors flock to the Baroque palace on the island of an artificial lake, while Meissen has gained world acclaim as the home of European porcelain. To the south-east of Dresden, we find exquisitely laid-out Baroque gardens in Gross-Sedlitz and the rather capricious architecture of Weesenstein Castle.

The town of Pirna, with its »flower manor« Zuschendorf is the gateway to the Saxon Switzerland, a bizarre world of rocks and gorges. A majestic panorama can be enjoyed from the Bastei viewpoint, and includes also Königstein Fortress, the largest fortified castle in Germany. The Erzgebirge mountains belong on everyone’s Christmastime programme. The home of traditional wood-carving art is then bathed in the most beautiful seasonal lights.

A way to discover the east of Saxony is to follow the Via Regia. The oldest and longest east-west link in Europe was honored in 2005 as a »Cultural Route of Europe«. Originally this road type was only a safe trade route and under the law to the king. With the flourishing of transit numerous fortifications, residential and religious buildings were built along the Via Regia.

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