| | Founded on the site of a Slavonic fishing settlement by enterprising merchants in the early Middle Ages, Dresden became a full-fledged city in the 15th century when Saxon Dukes took up residence here. During the 18th century, Dresden became the political capitol of Europe, and concurrent architectural enterprise confirmed it as the most beautiful city in Northern Europe. Five months before the end of the second World War, air raids of February 13-15, 1945, set the entire city on fire, killing 25,000 civilians. On May 8, 1945, Dresden was occupied by Soviet forces and subsequently became a part of the Soviet Union, until 1989’s peaceful revolution. Today reconstruction of the city is still underway, but nearing conclusion. Dresdeners have responded to the horrors of WWII and the repression of the Soviet occupation with a vibrant and down-to-earth community culture. Visitors come to Dresden for its historic architecture, but stay for the friendly streets of the Neustadt, on the right banks of the Elbe. |
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