Cosmopolitan City

For centuries, close political, cultural and economic links have characterised relations between the city, its region and the whole of Europe. Dutch fortification architecture protected the Renaissance city, and Italian culture distinguished the magnificent Baroque age. Exchanges with its immediate neighbours – and here Bohemia and Poland in particular – have left their mark on the city over the course of a whole millennium. The 19th century brought Russian aristocrats and English globetrotters to Dresden in great numbers. At the end of the 20th century, 7 million tourists from all over the world came to the city each year.

The eastward extension of the European Union today offers new opportunities for further development. Science and high-tech have attracted people from all over the world to Dresden. The cosmopolitan atmosphere – tolerant and integrating – has become more important than ever before for the future of the city.

Dresdeners around the world

During the period of the National Socialist dictatorship, many Dresdeners were forced to leave their city – Jewish citizens, political opponents, progressive intellectuals. In recent years, some of them have accepted invitations from the city administration to revisit their native city.

• Visiting the native city

European Union

More and more political decisions concerning the city are being passed at European level. On the road to a common home Europe, information on the objectives and functions of European institutions is becoming ever more important.

Twin cities

The City of Dresden maintains intensive contacts to twelve twin cities around the world. Against the background of a common history and responsibility for the future, cultural and economic relations are developed and diverse opportunities for meetings and encounters are initiated.

• Overview of twin cities