Dresden or Leipzig?
 

2 weeks Munich to Berlin in July. Weekend in Leipzig or Dresden or...? We likenit all from great beer and music (cheesy accordions and symphonies) to culture and adventures. Let the debate begin!

Hard to reply to this one. Dresden has wonderful buildings reconstructed after the city was largely destroyed in 1945. You can visit the gorgeous Frauenkirche, the Semper Opera, the Zwinger Museum, the Catholic Court church and many other wonderful buildings.

Since I stayed at the Hilton, which is located in the center of the historic district, I didn't see the real Dresden. What I saw was a series of wonderful buildings plopped down in an area that had been decimated by the firebombing. It was really a tourist area, and I didn't consider it to be the real Dresden.


However, since I am interested in history, including the Cold War, I found Leipig absolutely fascinating. The Germans call it "the city of heroes," since it was in Leipzig that the protests against the government finally brought down the Communist rule.

The highlight of my visit was seeing the Nicholaikirche, the church where Leipzigers met to protest agains the government and then to process silently through the city, carrying candles. This is the most beautiful Protestant church I've ever seen as well as being so important historically.

I also did a tour of der Museum in der Runden Ecke, the Stasi museum. It was absolutely fascinating, containing state of the art (for the time) listening devices and cameras. It contained a section with disguises--fake noses and glasses, hard hats, wigs, and even a fake belly that could be put under the clothes to alter the shape of the spy.

There were vaious other Cold War exhibits in the museum. I went through with a German-speaking guide, but I wish I'd also used the electronic guide with its English explanation, since I probably missed some of the German explanation.

I came out of that museum really stunned, amazed at how the East German officials had the gall to spy on the citizens of Leipzig as they did.

I also enjoyed strolling down the Nicholaistrasse seeing the beautiful Art Nouveau facades on the buildings. Since I love interesting architecture, I found Leipzig to be a treasure house of great builtings and facades.

I much preferred Leipzig to Dresden, but maybe that's just me.
Okay, that's my two cents.

Man, thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to elaborate.

I have stayed in Dresde two nights and visited Leipzig on a day trip from Berlin ( took a tour ,first on foot and then a bus tour outside the pedestrian center. Did not visit churches or museums.
Both visits were in July.

I enjoyed Dresden more...

As someone brought up on tales of the quasi-mythical 'Colditz' I actually went there a few years after the Wall came down, amazed to go there for real. Fabulous! If it interests you, it's 90 minutes by local train and bus south of Leipzig.

I meant to add that I also took a day trip to Colditz. I agree that it was really interesting.

I took the bus from outside the Bahnhof. As I recall, the trip took 1 hour 20 minutes through the city and out into the countryside.

I was a little late for the guided tour (in English), so I just wandered around by myself. There were numerous placards in English which explained the various exhibits, as well as a little brochure that gave some information. I also bought an illustrated booklet with much more detail about the castle and the prisoners.

I found it fascinating.

We preferred Dresden over Leipzig, and the former has the advantage of being closer to the Saxon Alps.

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