Dresden: The heart of Silicon Saxony

All but destroyed in the firebombing of World War II Dresden is once again returning to its pre-War magnificence. Come and take a look at one of Europe's most elegant baroque capitals!

Dresden at a glance

Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady) at Neumarkt, Photo: Stadt Dresden/C.Münch

The 800-year-old capital of Saxony has managed to stay largely free of the dour economic malaise that has struck the rest of east Germany after reunification, and its local universities are one of the major reasons. Major chip companies like AMD and Infineon have set up plants in Dresden as has the electronics firm ZMD, and all work closely with the Technical University Dresden, one of the country's most prestigious. The city is also home to Volkswagen's design wonder, 'Die Gläserne Manufaktur' (Glass Factory), and a host of automotive sub contractors. But not all is scientific progress. Dresden's centuries-old reputation as an artistic hub is supported by a dance, visual arts and musical college well-respected across the country.
During Christmas time the whole city turns into a romantic hot spot with it's traditonal christmas market 'Striezelmarkt'. You can endulge yourself in mouthsful of stuffed apples, roasted almonds and of course the speciality of the city: The original Dresden Christmas yeast cake (Christstollen) made by a traditional recipe.

Universities - Overview

Technical University Dresden

Beyer Building of TU Dresden, Photo: TUD/Eckold

The 175-year-old university is Dresden's best and one among the best-known in Germany. It was recently the only eastern German university recognized as part of the government's excellence initiative, qualifying it for upwards of 1.9 billion in federal funding. Most known for its engineering, both mechanical and electrical, the university is also building up a formidable computer science department (and a new building) and benefiting from the proximity to major chip manufacturers like Infineon and AMD. Its reputation stretches far into the world - of its 34,800 students, 10.4 percent come from abroad.

University of Visual Arts, Dresden
Initially founded in the 18th century, the hochschule is one of the oldest of its kind in Germany. It has counted Giovanni Casanova (the painter, not the rakish scoundrel) and painter Caspar David Friedrich as its professors, and the famous 20th century illustrator, Georg Grosz among its matriculated students. Of its four majors, 'Art Technology, Conservation and Restoration' is one of the country's oldest and most renowned. In 2000, a 'lab theater' was completed as an experimental stage and workshop for students of the university's stage and costume design majors.

University of Applied Sciences
Among the younger of Dresden's institutions of higher learning (founded in 1992), the University of Applied Sciences has played catch up in recent years - thanks to Dresden's reputation as a science hub. Saxony's 'Mittelstand' (mid-sized companies) benefit the most from access to the university's good crop of IT, electrical engineering and engineering graduates. The university's Center for Applied Research and Technology cooperates with local and international companies and research institutes in such areas as transportation infrastructure, nano electronics and engineering. The University also offers cartography and landscaping as majors.

Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden (Dresden University of Music)
The Dresden University of Music is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in Germany. Today more than 600 students from all over the world are graduating in different musical courses. Besides the classical Opera Class and orchestral education the University also offers intense activities in the fields of New Music, Jazz/Rock/Pop. The University cooperates closely with numerous theatres, orchestras and other institutions of higher education like the Sächsische Staatskapelle and the Dresdner Philarmonie.

Palucca University of Dance Dresden
The Palucca University of Dance has a colorful and long-standing history spanning over the last 85 years.Originally founded as the private dance school of the known dancer Palucca, is it now one of five advanced Universities of the Arts in Saxony. The University offers an interdisciplinary education in the areas of Dance, Choreography and Dance Education. The Elevenprogramm (Apprentice Programme) was initiated by the Palucca University and the Semperoper Ballet to give young dancers the opportunity to develope their skills by working with a professional ballet.

Recreation in Dresden

Semperoper (opera house), Photo: DAAD/Hagenguth

Having arrived in Dresden, you first of all have got to check out the places of interest. Besides the Semperoper, the Castle Pillnitz is one of Dresden's highlights. Here you can have a look at what happens when you cross Baroque architecture with 18th century Europe's obsession with China. In the city centre you definitely shouldn't miss the Green Vault: View 18th century bling thanks to August the Strong, whose 4,000 piece treasure collection includes a diamond-encrusted sword and a 41-carat green diamond.
Over the bridge from all that baroque elegance is the thriving, artistic Neustadt. The historical home of craftsmen, and artists, Neustadt is nowadays filled with boutiques, restaurants, and the city's best bars.

Dresden Neustadt, Photo: Steuer/DAAD

You can either start or end up at the Scheune, a pastiche of gallery, bar, stage and club that hosts events from readings to record release parties every week. Other nightlife spots include the Raskolnikoff, a gallery cum restaurant, and the Café Pawlow, one of the Neustadt's originals. Not to be missed in the summer is the 'Bunte Republik Neustadt' festival, in which the proud residents of this neighborhood celebrate their fierce individuality. If you are more up to nature, travel to the Sächsische Schweiz. Althogh this landscape near Dresden is by no means a replacement for the Alps, Saxony's Switzerland features some jaw-dropping 'needles' of sandstone that shoot up in an imitation of Dresden's spires; one of Germany's best hiking and rock-climbing locations.

Interview with Annet from Dresden

Annet Richter, a Dresden native, began studying culture and management at the TU Dresden in October 2003.

Annet, Photo: private

Why did you pick Dresden?
A big city has a lot of advantages that a small or medium-sized city can't compete with. Even if it's only because of the fact that the sidewalks aren't completely empty at 6 p.m. Dresden, especially, offers a colorful active and nightlife. So much that even I, although I'm from here, can't say I know the majority of it.

What should everyone experience?
An absolute must is a club, bar, cinema tour. And because that's not possible just once, you'll have to be pushed into doing it several times. The Dresden student days with the band contest Uni Air, the Campus Party and the film nights on the Elb River are on almost everyone's events calendar. A shopping tour through Dresden's Neustadt, with its small, individual stores, is also great.

What is your favorite thing to do in Dresden (or outside of it)?
To take several trips around the one-of-a-kind Round Cinema; let the wind blow in your face on the Augustus Bridge in shifty weather; go up to the Kreuzkirchturm or the roof of the Whoerl department store to observe the colorful goings on below; sit on the banks of the Elbe with friends and a bottle of wine; do nothing on the lawn behind the lecture hall; sing while you walk through the Zwinger so that people stop and take notice; or tramp around Saxony's Little Switzerland to enjoy nature and let your soul free.