The Essential Guide to Saxony
Saxony is best known for its stunning Baroque capital, Dresden, which was completely rebuilt after World War II. However, the region’s largest city, Leipzig, is equally vibrant, with a strong cultural legacy (Wagner was born here, Bach worked here) and impressive architecture galore. Nicknamed the “Motherland of the Reformation,” Saxony also features a variety of attractions for history fanatics, as well as plenty for nature lovers, including the Erzgebirge Mountains, Saxon-Switzerland National Park, and several palace gardens dotted throughout the region.
Str. des 18. Oktober 100, 04299 Leipzig, Germany
Constructed from concrete and granite porphyry and inaugurated in 1913, this 300-foot-tall sculpture is among Europe’s largest memorials—and one of Leipzig’s most striking historic monuments. Located close to...
Grimmaische Str. 2-4, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
One of the oldest eateries in Leipzig—and there’s quite a lot of competition—Auerbachs Keller dates back to 1525, when it functioned as a wine bar. Today, it’s famous for the fact that Goethe wrote part of Faust here and...
Sophienstraße, 01067 Dresden, Germany
Dresden’s architectural and cultural highlight, the Zwinger was commissioned by Augustus the Strong and built between 1710 and 1728 by architect Matthäus Pöppelmann in cooperation with the sculptor Balthasar Permoser. Originally...
Theaterplatz 1, 01067 Dresden, Germany
Open to the public since the middle of the 18th century—and subsequently expanded by various Saxon Electors and museum curators—this celebrated museum contains one of Germany’s finest collections of Old Master works. Housed in...
Bastei, 01847 Lohmen, Germany
Located less than an hour from Dresden in Saxon-Switzerland National Park, the Bastei is a jagged outcropping of sandstone rocks that once served as the foundation for Neurathen Castle. While the castle is mostly gone now, its bridge (known...
