Best of Berlin, Prague, & Vienna
August - September 2014
Dresden
Thursday, August 28th
68°F Sunny
Thursday, August 28th
68°F Sunny
Arrived in Dresden early so the guide took us on a tour of old town. Dresden was bombed to ruins during WW II. Dresden was occupied by the Soviet Union after the war and they prohibited rebuilding.
In 1990 when the Soviet Union pulled out of Germany, Dresden decided to rebuild. Many of the old buildings were rebuilt using sandstone just like the original buildings. In less than 5 years the exterior starts to turn black. The old looking building in the picture below is less than 12 years old and it already is turning black.
Alert, the following is a personal opinion: For the next two hours we went from one blackened building to another. I understand the Germans desire to recreate their heritage; however, dirty buildings are not pleasant to look at or be around. Instead of using cheap sandstone, they should have used a better grade of materials.
To give our feet a rest we found a spot on the terrace over looking the river and enjoyed a cool cocktail.
Our guide said that the bombing of Dresden in February 1945 has remained one of the more controversial aspects of World War Two. Dresden, a city unaffected by bombing up to that point in the war, lost many thousands of civilians in the firestorm that was created by the Allies. As the Russians advanced to Berlin from the east and the Allies from the west, why was Dresden bombed when it did appear that the war would be ended in the near future?
One theory: Though the Russians were allies, Churchill and Roosevelt had already decided that Stalin would be a major problem after the end of the war. Therefore, as the Red Army advanced against an army that was effectively defeated, it had no idea as to what an equal and possibly superior military force could do. Therefore, Dresden was bombed to show the Russians the awesome power of the Allies and to act as a warning to them not to stray from the agreements they had made at the war conferences.
One theory: Though the Russians were allies, Churchill and Roosevelt had already decided that Stalin would be a major problem after the end of the war. Therefore, as the Red Army advanced against an army that was effectively defeated, it had no idea as to what an equal and possibly superior military force could do. Therefore, Dresden was bombed to show the Russians the awesome power of the Allies and to act as a warning to them not to stray from the agreements they had made at the war conferences.
The Zwinger Palace is Augustus the Strongs attempt to match Versailles. While he never accomplished his vision, the place is still beautiful. The buildings were mostly destroyed in 1945. Restoration was completed in 1963. Today it houses 4 museums.
Below is a video clip of the clock chimes
Below is a video clip of the clock chimes
