sites to see
May 25th, 2003 | 08:32 AM
#1
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Joined: May 2003
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sites to see
Hello, my family (including 3 teenagers) are going to be spending 3 weeks centered around Braunschweig,Germany in July. We hope to make many day trips around the area, including Berlin, Hannover, Dresden. We have heard about some cities that are from the Roman era that we would like to look into as well. I guess my question is what types of sites, activities etc. are in the area that would be appealing to teens aged 14 and 16? Any ideas would be welcome.
Thanks.........Jackie
Thanks.........Jackie
May 28th, 2003 | 11:39 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
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Hi Jackie,
good idea to stay a night in Dresden or surrounding. It is always difficult to give recommendations for activities/sites to see for teens. I don't know their interests. Maybe a visit of the transportation museum? Or a guided tour of the Frauenkirche, which is still under reconstruction. Could be quite interesting to all of you. Or a short ride on a paddle steamer on the river ? 1.30 h to Pillnitz Palace, passing castles and villas along the hills, the Blue Wonder Bridge.
Another idea is a visit of Fortress Königstein. I could imagine your teens are probably interested in seeing this excellent preserved castle 20 kilometres south of Dresden in a gorgeous setting. Right on a hill overlooking the Elbe river valley and with stunning views of the surrounding hills (sandstone rock formations). It provides architecture from medieval times to 19th century as well as some exhibits on military stuff.
And Bob's idea is not bad either: there is a famous brewery in Radeberg, a few kilometres Northeast of Dresden. The offer tours and tastings.
In case you decide for one of the mentioned activities/sites, let me know and I can give you more information.
Welcome to Dresden!
Ingo
good idea to stay a night in Dresden or surrounding. It is always difficult to give recommendations for activities/sites to see for teens. I don't know their interests. Maybe a visit of the transportation museum? Or a guided tour of the Frauenkirche, which is still under reconstruction. Could be quite interesting to all of you. Or a short ride on a paddle steamer on the river ? 1.30 h to Pillnitz Palace, passing castles and villas along the hills, the Blue Wonder Bridge.
Another idea is a visit of Fortress Königstein. I could imagine your teens are probably interested in seeing this excellent preserved castle 20 kilometres south of Dresden in a gorgeous setting. Right on a hill overlooking the Elbe river valley and with stunning views of the surrounding hills (sandstone rock formations). It provides architecture from medieval times to 19th century as well as some exhibits on military stuff.
And Bob's idea is not bad either: there is a famous brewery in Radeberg, a few kilometres Northeast of Dresden. The offer tours and tastings.
In case you decide for one of the mentioned activities/sites, let me know and I can give you more information.
Welcome to Dresden!
Ingo
May 29th, 2003 | 03:16 PM
#6
Original Poster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10
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Hello Ingo, Thanks for your response. Could you tell me a bit about the Frauenkirche please. I am really looking forward to seeing castles and fortresses. I know there are many in Germany. Do you have any recommendations?
Jackie
Jackie
May 31st, 2003 | 02:20 AM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,996
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Hi,
for infos on the Frauenkirche please see www.frauenkirche-dresden.org They provide plenty of information there. Actually it is still a reconstruction site, but much has already been completed. Especially the story of the "archeological" reconstruction (with help of IBM software) is fascinating. You can recognise the original sandstone pieces from their dark color opposed to the light color of the new pieces. Next weekend the bells will ring for the first time after WWII.
RE: castles - I guess you refer to medieval castles, right? and no palaces.
Obviously I know the region around Dresden best - so here some recommendations. Beside the Fortress Königstein, which I mentioned before, there is a medieval castle (partly ruins) in Stolpen, 20 km east of Dresden. Between Dresden and Königstein you almost pass the castle Weesenstein, a mixture of castle and palace. Near Dresden you find the palaces Pillnitz and Moritzburg (Baroque style).
One of my favourite medieval castles is Burg Falkenstein in the Harz mountains. Located in the romantic valley Selketal, southeast of Quedlinburg, which is of interest itself (UNESCO world heritage). Another beautiful castle, called "Neuschwanstein of Harz" is the castle above the town Wernigerode. As far as I know it was built in early 19th century, so don't expect medieval atmosphere. It is romantic, though.
A highlight of European Baroque architecture is Palace Sanssouci in Potsdam.
Another favourite of mine is castle Wartburg near Eisenach (Thuringia), south of Braunschweig, quite a distance away. Very romantic, medieval castle with important history for Germany and protestant religion (Martin Luther translated the bible into German there).
The castles in the Rhine and Mosel valleys are probably too far away from Braunschweig. I must admit I don't know many there from personal experience.
Oops, I almost forgot the (English style) garden of Wörlitz near Dessau, at the Elbe river southeast Braunschweig. Could be made as a day trip. It is another UNESCO world heritage site. Not a medieval castle, though.
Ingo
for infos on the Frauenkirche please see www.frauenkirche-dresden.org They provide plenty of information there. Actually it is still a reconstruction site, but much has already been completed. Especially the story of the "archeological" reconstruction (with help of IBM software) is fascinating. You can recognise the original sandstone pieces from their dark color opposed to the light color of the new pieces. Next weekend the bells will ring for the first time after WWII.
RE: castles - I guess you refer to medieval castles, right? and no palaces.
Obviously I know the region around Dresden best - so here some recommendations. Beside the Fortress Königstein, which I mentioned before, there is a medieval castle (partly ruins) in Stolpen, 20 km east of Dresden. Between Dresden and Königstein you almost pass the castle Weesenstein, a mixture of castle and palace. Near Dresden you find the palaces Pillnitz and Moritzburg (Baroque style).
One of my favourite medieval castles is Burg Falkenstein in the Harz mountains. Located in the romantic valley Selketal, southeast of Quedlinburg, which is of interest itself (UNESCO world heritage). Another beautiful castle, called "Neuschwanstein of Harz" is the castle above the town Wernigerode. As far as I know it was built in early 19th century, so don't expect medieval atmosphere. It is romantic, though.
A highlight of European Baroque architecture is Palace Sanssouci in Potsdam.
Another favourite of mine is castle Wartburg near Eisenach (Thuringia), south of Braunschweig, quite a distance away. Very romantic, medieval castle with important history for Germany and protestant religion (Martin Luther translated the bible into German there).
The castles in the Rhine and Mosel valleys are probably too far away from Braunschweig. I must admit I don't know many there from personal experience.
Oops, I almost forgot the (English style) garden of Wörlitz near Dessau, at the Elbe river southeast Braunschweig. Could be made as a day trip. It is another UNESCO world heritage site. Not a medieval castle, though.
Ingo
