New WeChat Mini Program for Dresden Elbland

Rediscovering beauty virtually and live in the heart of Europe

Dresden Elbland is open for tourism again - but initially only for citizens from European countries. Until even citizens from China will have the opportunity to discover the beauties of the city and region in the heart of Europe life, they can use a new WeChat app to find out about the diversity and beauty of Dresden and the Elbland region.

Source: Dresden Marketing Board

Since beginning of June 2020, the museums in the Residenzschloss are open to the public again, including the Historic Green Vault which closed to visitors immediately after the break-in on 25th November 2019. The State Art Collections gave the go-ahead for the gradual opening several weeks ago of the Old Masters Picture Gallery and the pre-1800 Sculpture Collection. After almost ten years of renovation, the famous collection opened in February 2020 to great international acclaim before being forced to close again shortly afterwards in line with coronavirus restrictions. Now they are back – worldwide known masterpieces such as Raphael’s Sistine Madonna, Rembrandt’s Ganymede and the Dresden vedute of Bernardo Bellotto.

Throughout the year, Dresden will be celebrating the 350th birth anniversary of the man whose passion for collecting exquisite objets d’art continues to enhance the prestige of Saxony’s state capital, namely Friedrich August I Elector of Saxony and King of Poland and Lithuania, otherwise known as Augustus the Strong. The 350th anniversary is also marked by the opening of Festung Xperience. This permanent multimedia exhibition in the vaults below the famous Brühl’s Terrace takes visitors on a journey through time back to the 16th century when Dresden’s city fortifications were among the most advanced of their kind in Europe.

Dresden Elbland: Wine, scenery and active holidays

Select wines refined by centuries of expertise: along the Saxon Wine Route between Pirna and Diesbar-Seusslitz, the emphasis is not on size of vineyard or number of hectolitres but rather on the quality of the product. Connoisseurs of fine wine can gain an insight into the local wine industry, marked by individual wine makers or small chateaux.

If your idea of a great holiday is one that includes plenty of physical exercise, you can do your sightseeing while pedalling along the banks of the Elbe or on a hiking tour that takes you through the varied landscapes (forest, meadows and lakes) on both sides of the river. If your preference is for water- d activities, try a rubber dinghy or canoe tour. There are even opportunities for windsurfers and stand-up paddlers. But perhaps the most unusual way of experiencing the Elbe wine region is by speedboat, a tour that combines speed, sightseeing and wine tasting. What could be better than that?

If you want to sit back and be transported, the region’s narrow-gauge steam railways provide a perfect day out. The Lössnitzgrundbahn runs from Radebeul to Radeburg and offers wonderful views of the Moritzburg lake district and Moritzburg Castle, the fairy-tale setting of the ever-popular film Three Wishes for Cinderella. A carriage ride around the castle moat recreates the magic of the original movie. On the other side of the Elbe, the Weisseritztalbahn railway runs from Freital along the Elbe to the eastern Erzgebirge spa town of Kipsdorf. The train also halts at the village of Malter next to a pleasant reservoir with spectacular dam, camping facilities, swimming and water sports. Outdoor events are also held here in the summer months. The Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt steam paddlers are a characteristic feature of the riverscape between Saxon Switzerland and Meissen – a relaxing and traditional way to explore the Elbe valley.

Find out more about Dresden Elbland (including the latest updates) at www.visit-dresden.travel

Photos for free download at www.mediaserver.dresden.de