We arrived by train from Berlin, on our first visit to this beautiful city, which we saw under a clear blue sky and bathed in golden Autumn sun. The Aldstadt beside the River Elbe, was said by the Italian master artist, Canaletto, to be "the Florence of the Elbe". We found it to be so. Spires, domes, churches, galleries, museums and civic buildings delight around every corner of the cobbled streets and squares.

"It is hard to believe that Aldstadt, now with its Baroque buildings and streetscape regenerated, was reduced to smouldering rubble following World War II and years of neglect as part of Eastern Germany..." Rough Guide.

Most of the opulence of Dresden was a result of the vision and vanity of Elector Augustus the Strong (1696-1763), the Sun King of Germany, who brought brilliant artists and architects of his time to the court to create a city of extraordinary beauty.

The bombing of Dresden in February 1945 was almost an obliteration of the city as it was. The rebuilding and restoration in earnest mainly began after the reunification when recriminations from the appalling bombing and the war itself had finally been put aside. The work done already is incredible and commendable, and continues today. While there we were confronted with closed sections, cranes and scaffolding, but this is understandable and Dresden is being rebuilt in the glorious manner of its past.

The weather turned against us but we were grateful for two sunny days. I am disappointed with some of my pictures as Dresden is so very beautiful. However, understandably, there is much rebuilding work still happening and, also, my small camera could not really capture the Cathedral or some other scenes well. We would like to return one day.

See my blog.