I'm curious, and wondering if any Desdeners can help me understand what appears to be a geographic conundrum within Dresden.

According to what I have read elsewhere, the Dresdner Heide (Dresden Heath) is an immense, beautiful greenspace on the edge of the city. However, it is bordered on all the city maps by what appears to be an equally large "Industriegelaende" (Industrial zone), as well as the Dresden airport.

So my question: is the Heide negatively affected by the presence of all that industrial activity?

I'm asking, because one of the Pensions I'm considering for my Dresden stay is between the two areas (Heide and Industriegebiet). I rather like the idea of staying for a night or two on the edge of a Green Zone, but not if the peace of the heath is interrupted constantly by the roar of jets, or the stink of diesel exhaust.

Anyone familiar with the area able to help me out here?

Fritzrl

Hiya,

no need to worry. Dresden has never had such "dirty" industry. It is mostly engineering, and since the wall came down some High-Tech (semiconductor, bio-tech) plants were built. The area which is called "Industriegelände" is not that bad, btw it has some interesting old industrial architecture, partly restored.

The Industriegelände borders at the western edge of the Heide (which is a forest) and is located between the airport (districts Klotzsche and Hellerau). Pensions in Hellerau are sometimes affected by noise from planes, but Klotzsche NOT.

I understand that you prefer to stay in a quiet and rather green area. Dresden is in general a very "green" city, especially with the meadows/promenades to both sides of the river and the large city park called Grosser Garten.

If you would tell me the name of the pension you are considering I could help you more appropriately. My recommendations for guests are usually the Pension am Grossen Garten (only ten minutes by tram to the city centre) and the Pension zur Königlichen Ausspanne (in the "suburb" Niederpoyritz, REALLY in a green setting, village-like area, but therefore about 40 minutes to the city centry by bus/tram).

Let me know if I can help you further. I'll be off from Thursday on for a ski vacation, though.

Ingo

Sorry, that means:

... The Industriegelände borders at the western edge of the Heide ... and is located between the airport ... and the city centre.

Thank you, Ingo. I was hoping you might respond to my question.

Unfortunately, the question became moot soon after I posted. The "Pension am Grossen Garten" (which you recommended) was the the one I'd inquired about, and turned out to have no room available. The "Pension zur Königlichen Ausspanne" may be a bit *too* rural for me!

However, I think I did manage to find a charming spot on the fringe of the city center -- even though it's quite a distance from the Heide: "Pension Reiche". It appears to be a place with a great deal of history associated with it, and, if the website is to be believed, a comfortable place to spend a couple of nights.

I'm happy to hear that Dresden is now home to some high-tech industry. In the US, such industry is indeed relatively 'clean', and tends to bring a lot of wealth to the area surrounding it -- a resource that Dresden will likely put to very good use.

Hope your skiing holiday was enjoyable. Thanks again for your very complete response.

Fritzrl

Pension Reiche seems to be nice. I must admit I don't know the area very well. (shame on me )

Another option might be Pension Käubler, where American friends of mine stayed recently. They were very pleased.
www.pension-kaeubler.de

One of my favourite areas is the 19th century residential area called Weisser Hirsch, with a lot of villas and bordering right to the Dresdner Heide. There is a nice pension there, with name Pension Zu den Linden. Unfortunately no website, so you cannot make your own mind ...

Anyway, I am sure you'll enjoy your stay. Let me know if I can help further (not in the next two weeks )

Ingo