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When Augustus the Strong became Elector of Saxony in 1694, and three years later ascended the Polish throne, he could look to highly acclaimed models for the designing of his royal capital: the courts of Italy, France and Spain. The result, however, was quite unique - a masterpiece comprising architecture and river, art and nature - the "Pearl of Baroque"! The 19th century saw the development of Romantic art and music. Dresden is still today a city of art and culture, though at the same time also one of the most modern centers of high-tech industry in Europe.

Lovers of contemporary art will find paintings and prints for practically every purse in around 60 galleries in Dresden. Jazz fans are similarly sure of a great time. The bands play late into the night. And each year in May, thousands of jazz enthusiasts stream to Dresden for the International Dixieland Festival.

The Elbe valley around Dresden is one of the most beautiful riverside landscapes in Europe. The romantic artists wandered further to the world of bizarre high sandstone cliffs in the Saxon Switzerland and gained inspiration for their idyllic paintings from the picturesque countryside. One can follow their path on foot, by bicycle, or most exclusively, on a ship of the oldest and largest fleet of peddle-steamers in the world.

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