Dresden, a green city

With 62 per cent of its area devoted to woods and green spaces, Dresden can be considered one of the greenest cities in Europe.
The heathlands of the »Dresdner Heide« embrace the city in the north, while the Grosser Garten park spreads out extensively at the very heart of Dresden. The blue-green ribbon of the River Elbe winds its way through the city, lined by broad meadows and gentle vineyards.

Centuries of far-sighted urban planning have ensured that Dresden can be perceived as an integral part of the Elbe valley landscape.

Protected areas

• 3 protected nature areas with 241 ha
• 11 protected landscape areas with 12,154 ha
• 15 protected parts of landscape with 71 ha
• 112 natural monuments with 140 ha
• 10 flaura-fauna-habitat-areas with 1,883 ha
• 8 drinking-water protection areas with 2,093 ha
• 3 bird protection areas with 1,612 ha
• Flood meadows along the Elbe (of 9.24 metres) covering 2.502 ha

Public green spaces

• Green spaces and recreation areas with 890 ha, including
  • 147 ha Grosser Garten park
  • 12 ha Dresden Zoo
  • 3.3 ha Botanical Gardens
  • 10 ha Bürgerwiese Park
  • 3.8 ha Blüherpark
  • 6.5 ha Zwinger
  • 28 ha Pillnitz Palace
  • 3 ha Rosengarten Gardens
  • 19.5 ha Waldpark Blasewitz

Other areas

• 374 allotment gardens with 783 ha
• Vineyards with 24 ha
• 53 cemeteries with 196 ha, including
  • 4 municipal cemeteries
  • 49 church cemeteries
• 48,589 roadside trees
• some 828 publicly accessible playgrounds
• some 300 fountains

(Figures as at 31st December 2007)