a small town in the east German state of Thuringia As children slurp ice cream and Thuringian Bratwürste warm on the grill a practised provocateur who leads the state branch of the hard-right Alternative for Germany (afd) journalists and the politicians who exploited the covid “plandemic” to test the limits of Germans’ support for freedom He urges his audience to give the “cartel parties” the boot on September 1st when Germany’s most fraught state elections in years will take place in Thuringia and neighbouring Saxony This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Rising in the east” Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents George Simion will face Nicusor Dan, a mainstream candidate, in a run-off There are five luxuries it can no longer feasibly afford Friedrich Merz’s career is one of unforced errors and puzzling missteps Both Donald Trump and Ukraine’s diplomats will consider it a success Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries The German state of Saxony is rich in history and cultural experiences Once an independent kingdom, Saxony has the most distinctive identity of all of Germany's diverse regions The people of Saxony take great pride in their unique dialect though it is sometimes looked down on by people from other parts of the country This might be a secret strategy to keep the crowds away from a corner of the country that is filled with adventures and rich in history and culture you can marvel at the Renaissance-era beauty of the Residenzschloss palace and consider complex questions about Europe’s 20th-century history a musical trail visiting some of the city’s top museums. To help you discover more of the magic of this unique German state here is a roundup of the best things to do in Saxony Despite the ravages of WWII, Dresden’s Altstadt (Old Town) is a precious treasure box of historic architecture. Here you’ll find the Residenzschloss a stunning Renaissance palace that served as the seat of Saxony’s rulers from 1485 to 1918. Today it shelters multiple collections of Saxon treasures, including the unmissable Grünes Gewölbe treasury a real-life Aladdin’s cave spilling over with exquisite objects fashioned from ivory Other chambers are devoted to the Rüstkammer, displaying a spectacular collection of armor (look out for the re-creations of medieval jousting tournaments), and the Türckische Cammer, presenting one of the richest collections of Ottoman art outside Türkiye. Take time to view the artworks in the Kupferstich-Kabinett – an exhibit of around half a million prints and drawings by 20,000 artists including Dürer Planning tip: Go online or visit the ticket desk to book a specific time slot for your visit; you can’t enter without one Dresden’s trendy Neustadt (New Town) consists of the gentrified Innere Neustadt and the delightfully wacky Äussere (Outer) Neustadt pub district north of Albertplatz The beating heart of Neustadt is the intersection of Alaunstrasse and Louisenstrasse a lively area to visit on a Dresden night out. Here, you’ll find Katy’s Garage, featuring an old car on the kitchen roof (the eponymous "Katy"). With its quirky decor and welcoming staff, this popular nightspot attracts a hipster crowd, especially for its regular live music nights. Around the corner, Louisengarten is a more traditional beer-drinking venue the streets of Neustadt are filled with pop-up cafes and restaurants serving all sorts of international food from Indian curries to treats from Georgia. Dresden’s imposing opera house, the Semperoper It blends in with the surrounding architecture but hails from a much more recent era – the original Semeroper burned down in the 1870s and its replacement was destroyed in WWII before being impressively reconstructed. Planning tip: Taking a daytime tour of the building is highly recommended if only to appreciate the theatrical architectural elements with the calm only occasionally disturbed by the sound of a steamship horn looking out over emerald-green hills producing grapes that are transformed into some of Central Europe’s most exquisite wines That’s the experience of a cruise along the Elbe River from Dresden. Stationed in the Altstadt, a dazzling white fleet of old-fashioned steamships (formerly part of the Saxon Navy) serve a string of destinations along the Elbe going up the river to the Czech border in Saxon Switzerland and downstream towards Meissen and beyond An onboard lunch in front of the view is an added bonus. Planning tip: This old-fashioned mode of transportation is as pleasant as it is slow – it takes about 5½ hours to travel from Dresden to Bad Schandau so don’t plan on doing too much else during the day. the rulers of Saxony put extraordinary effort into the design of their opulent residences The palatial homes of Saxon royals dot the countryside around Dresden easily accessible on day trips from the city. On the banks of the Elbe, Schloss Pillnitz is a delightful pleasure palace, festooned with fanciful Chinese flourishes and surrounded by flower-filled gardens. Two buildings on the premises – the Wasserpalais and the Bergpalais – house the Kunstgewerbemuseum which is filled with fancy furniture and knick-knacks from the Saxon court including Augustus the Strong’s throne. Detour: Close by, you can visit Schloss Weesenstein, a palace constructed in an amazing alchemy of styles, blending medieval roots with Renaissance and baroque embellishments to create an all-round architectural marvel. Continue the palace-hopping at Schloss Moritzburg surrounded by an enormous moat-like lake and park In Leipzig you can walk in the footsteps of some of Germany’s most famous composers by following the 5km (3.1-mile) Leipziger Notenspur (Leipzig Music Trail) dropping in on the places where these musical luminaries lived and worked there are information panels displaying phone numbers you can call to listen to music and commentary. Over at the interactive Bach-Museum you can learn how to date a Johann Sebastian Bach manuscript listen to baroque instruments and treat your ears to the sound of every composition the great composer ever created Detour: After following this musical trail, stop at one of Leipzig's best coffee shops, Kümmel Apotheke This retro-styled cafe and bar with red leather chairs and dark wood furniture is a good place to try Leipziger lerche Leipzig’s artistic life bubbles today in the bohemian neighborhoods of Plagwitz and Conewitz. The Spinnerei an enormous 19th-century cotton mill in Plagwitz now serves as a residence for over 100 artists creating a hub for collectors of contemporary art Set in another converted factory nearby, the Kunstkraftwerk is a place to savor immersive multimedia art with moving images projected on the walls and ceiling of its enormous former workshop. To see punk and alternative music performed in a legendary German venue, stop by Conne Island. There’s more musical action at Werk 2 Kulturfabrik a hip musical venue in Connewitz that also hosts an amateur theatre company Detour: Combine a stroll in Plagwitz with a visit to the Panometer an old gasometer converted by Berlin-based artist Yadegar Asisi into a space for a 360-degree panorama painting Leipzig is surrounded by a gorgeous constellation of lakes that locals take full advantage of in summer lakeside beaches fill up with (sometimes fully) naked bodies while the water surface is busy with stand-up paddleboard and canoe traffic. On the site of a former lignite quarry, Cospudener See (Lake Cospuden) boasts Saxony’s longest sand beach and it draws a crowd on summer weekends. At nearby Lake Markkleeberg – known to locals as Marki – Kanupark Markkleeberg invites paddlers to enjoy a whitewater ride along an artificial rapids course. Leipzig’s lakes are easily accessible by public transport but you also have the option of paddling all the way from Leipzig City Harbour to Lake Cospuden following a 10.5km (6.5-mile) chain of canals Planning tip: If you fancy tackling the paddle to Lake Cospuden, book your kayak in advance through Stadthafen Leipzig at the City Harbour For all the splendor of Germany’s great castles and museums, the Terra Mineralia collection in Freiberg serves as a gentle reminder that Mother Nature is even more aesthetically gifted than humankind This astounding mineral collection occupies the 16th-century Schloss Freundenstein and visiting is akin to snorkeling over a glittering coral reef dimly lit halls sparkle with thousands of colors radiating from dazzling gems Each hall represents the continent where these minerals were mined with a separate section dedicated to meteorites. With quality pubs and biergartens (beer gardens) and its own beer brand – Freiberger – the fun-loving student town of Freiburg definitely merits an overnight stay even though it can easily be visited as a day trip from Dresden Detour: Historic metal mines surround Freiburg, one of which – Reiche Zeche – can be visited on a fascinating tour You’ll be taken into a 150m-deep (492ft) void and led along unlit passages straight out of a suspense movie Chemnitz is the base for rewarding excursions along the train line that follows the valley of the Zschopau River towards the Ore Mountains on the Czech border. If you hop off at Erdmannsdorf-Augustusburg station, a retro cable car will deliver you to the Schloss Augustusburg – a 16th-century Renaissance masterpiece that houses a massive collection of motorcycles. Next on the train route comes Wiesenbad a spa complex of four pools built over natural hot springs made famous over 500 years ago by the widowed Electress Sophie The route ends at Annaberg-Buchholz, an ancient mining town that has three mines open to visitors, including Dorothea-Stollen – a partly flooded 16th-century silver mine that visitors explore by boat rather than on foot Frohnauer Hammer is a World Heritage-listed industrial site that was once a corn mill Planning tip: The sites around Chemnitz can be visited on a day trip, but consider staying overnight in the mountains; Schloss Rabenstein is one memorable place to stop while you explore. No corner of Germany would be complete without its own castle, and the mountainous region of Saxon Switzerland is no exception. Festung Königstein is the largest intact medieval fortress in Germany – so imposing and formidable that no one in history has ever tried to attack it the main highlight is the permanent exhibition In Lapide Regis which tells the dramatic story of the fortress using engaging interactive displays Elsewhere in the sprawling fortress complex you can see an array of antique German weaponry and enter the Georgenburg Detour: While in Saxon Switzerland, pause to admire the postcard-worthy views of the Bastei Bridge, a stunning rock formation rising 194m (636ft) above the Elbe River and the village of Rathen. Afterward, visit the pretty spa town of Bad Schandau, not far from the border with Czechia Meissen is the cradle of European porcelain manufacturing and the town still hitches its tourism appeal to the world-famous ceramics first cooked up in its imposing castle in the 18th century. Since then, the interior of the Albrechtsburg castle has been beautifully renovated under the guidance of leading historians The building tells its own story through a series of lavish murals depicting the castle’s famous inhabitants and their feats. Inside the castle, the Dom is a high-Gothic masterpiece decorated with delicately carved sculptures and stained-glass windows depicting Biblical scenes and featuring an altar triptych attributed to Lucas Cranach the Elder Detour: Erlebniswelt Haus Meissen is the place to admire the astonishing artistry of Meissen porcelain up close after which you are free to explore the factory’s extensive and captivating collection of porcelain An easy day trip from the town of Görlitz, folly-studded, UNESCO-listed Muskauer Park is a landscape-design masterpiece the brainchild of eccentric 19th-century aristocrat Prince Hermann von Pückler Centered on the Schloss Muskau palace and spilling into neighboring Poland across the Lusatian Neisse River this 1383-acre park is too large to be fully explored on foot Bicycles can be hired at the Schlossvorwerk a leafy courtyard where you’ll also find a cafe Planning tip: A wander around the park will eventually take you to the main palace building push-button exhibit exploring the action-packed life of the park’s flamboyant mastermind Be sure to take in the sweeping views of the park from the top of the palace tower This article was adapted from Lonely Planet’s Germany guidebook published in May 2024. After some 80 years and millions of dollars spent on reconstruction has risen from the ashes of the firebombing that reduced 70% of the city to rubble in the final months of World War II thanks to rebuilt landmarks that meticulously recreate their originals plus one of the world’s most extensive art collections Here’s a guide to the best and newest experiences in Dresden Visitors can climb to the top of the church's tower for panoramic views of the city and the Elbe River Other important architectural and cultural attractions include the recently renovated Kulturpalast — home of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra — and the Semperoper Dresden opera house which is easy to spot on the Theaterplatz historic square by its curving limestone walls and statuary-topped entrance portal Meanwhile, the 335-foot Furstenzug (Procession of Princes) historic tile mural — located on an outer wall of Dresden Castle’s stables courtyard — depicts the Wettin dynasty often called “the Balcony of Europe,” boasts views for miles there are stunning Baroque gabled buildings that were rebuilt About a mile away, across the Elbe River, the Neustadt district is known for its hip, artsy feel. But visitors can also find Old World charm here, including Dresden Molkerei Gebruder Pfund, a fairytale-esque milk shop opened in 1892 that survived WWII chocolate and gourmet goods boutique is still decorated with thousands of original hand-painted Villeroy & Boch tiles (Note: Visitors are not allowed to take photos of the interior.) In the multi-winged Dresden Zwinger [https://www.der-dresdner-zwinger.de/en] museum guests will find the Old Masters Picture Gallery Sculpture Hall and the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments The Baroque palatial complex also hosts the Zwinger Xperience [https://www.zwinger-xperience.com/] a new exhibit that brings the historic building back to its 18th-century heyday through panoramic projections and virtual reality stations The massive Dresden Castle — also known as the Royal Palace — encompasses multiple collections as well as the Historic Green Vault and New Green Vault statuary and other art objects of inestimable value Visitors should pay a visit to the palace’s recently reopened inner courtyard which is decked out in elaborate sgraffito a rarely used art that involves scratching the top layer of paint to reveal the colors of the base layer For contemporary art lovers, there’s the Lipsiusbau museum, recognizable by its “lemon squeezer” dome Despite Dresden’s well-developed urban center, 60% of the city’s area is green space, which comes in the form of forests, parks and gardens. The loveliest include Botanical Garden Dresden, which features some 10,000 plant species. Grosser Garten Park, meanwhile is a nearly 1-square-mile green space in the heart of the city with a small lake for boating One of the best ways to experience Dresden’s natural beauty is via a steamboat cruise with Sachsische Dampf Schiff Fahrt down the Elbe Because building is prohibited directly on the banks of the river guests are treated to unobstructed views of sloping vineyards and meadows pastel-painted homes and majestic old manor houses that populate the hillsides Floating into the “Florence of the Elbe” underneath the Loschwitz Bridge (referred to as the Blue Wonder) is a singularly relaxing experience in a region where viticulture has reigned for more than 800 years IHG also plans to open a 306-room Holiday Inn Express in Dresden by summer 2024 Copyright © 2025 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000 An extraordinary art project is once again attracting attention: Saxony's largest election poster which already caused a stir during the state elections in 2019 a street art façade design in Dresden-Mickten has no direct party reference and aims to motivate citizens to take part in the upcoming state election Cromatics and Concrete Candy together with Dresden artist Lars P want to emphasize the importance of the election and encourage the residents of Dresden to cast their vote in a reflective manner The mural shows the same figure as five years ago and once again appeals to the population to act thoughtfully this year Dresdeners can decide for themselves which quote will adorn the giant mural The selection includes words from Indira Gandhi Albus Dumbledore - personalities whose quotes reflect current social challenges Wall with election poster in Dresden Neustadt from 2019 who actively campaigns for democracy and against populism calls for participation with his quote: "If the majority remains silent the picture remains wrong." Indira Gandhi emphasizes the importance of dialogue and cooperation: "You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist." Professor Dumbledore warns against simple solutions to complex problems: "Soon we will all have to make the decision between what is right and what is simple." The citizens of Dresden are invited to vote on the motif of their biggest election poster by August 13 and thus have an active say in its design Managing Director of CROMATICS and member of the group of initiators emphasizes the importance of the campaign: "The 2024 election is moving our society It was important to us to set an example and encourage discussion and a thoughtful approach to our democracy." the motif will also be offered for sale as a poster to support not only the campaign itself the project team hopes to raise awareness of the importance of every single vote in the state election and leave a lasting impression on the population Source: Press release CROMATICS / Concrete Candy © 2009 - 2025 DieSachsen.de | Alle Rechte vorbehalten | Entwickelt mit publizer in Sachsen um Ihr unglaubliches Erlebniss auf DieSachsen.de weiter verbessern zu können With the rebuild of paper machine (PM) 14 at its Günzach mill which is scheduled for the 4th quarter of 2015 the Osnabrück-based Felix Schoeller Group is taking another step forward in the strategic growth concept it has devised for its Technocell division: the creation of additional capacity for pre-impregnated products it commissioned Bellmer with overall responsibility for implementing this investment Growth in growth markets and growth regions is the clear strategic goal of Technocell which are used in the wood-based products industry The rebuild of PM14 is a response to rising demand and will create additional capacity for pre-impregnated products – which Technocell sells under the brand name PRIP® To date they have been produced exclusively at the company’s Neustadt mill The extensive rebuild of the paper machine is scheduled to take place in the 4th quarter of this year a new calender and a “TURBOCombiSizer” - including the size mixing station that necessitates The TURBOCombiSizer can be used with either a size press or film press the paper machine will produce not only pre-impregnated PRIP® products but also nonwoven papers coated on both sides for use in the wallpaper industry A total of 15 million euros have been earmarked for this investment project “With this investment in PM14 we are not only creating the foundation needed for Technocell’s continued growth but also strengthening our facility at Günzach in Allgäu This mill has three paper machines and focuses clearly on specialties and small batch sizes benefits from the possibilities offered by the TURBOCombiSizer,” says Hans-Christoph Gallenkamp the company’s Vice President and Chief Technology Officer we will have the support of a competent partner a company that has already demonstrated its high-calibre performance in numerous joint projects,” adds Kai Middeldorf Senior Vice President of the Felix Schoeller Group’s Engineering Competence Center “We are proud that the Felix Schoeller Group has chosen us to be its partner on this project It adds a new dimension to the successful collaboration we have already enjoyed in the past,” says Erich Kollmar describing the project’s significance Background information on the Felix Schoeller Group the Felix Schoeller Group is a family business with worldwide operations producing specialty papers the renowned Osnabrück-based company produced and marketed almost 310,000 tonnes of specialty papers in 2014 and posted a total turnover of 720 million euros produces and markets specialty papers for photographic applications self-adhesive applications and for the furniture wood-based products and wallpaper industry In addition to its Osnabrück main site and headquarters the Felix Schoeller Group has four other production facilities in Germany - in Weissenborn and Penig in Saxony in Titisee-Neustadt (Baden-Württemberg) and in Günzach (Bavaria) It also has production facilities in the USA and Canada and is involved in a joint venture in the Russian Federation It has sales & service centres in Sao Paulo The Felix Schoeller Group exemplifies uncompromising quality Since July 2013 the Felix Schoeller Group has been the official premium paper partner of the German Olympic team Graef Advertising GmbH | Kollegienwall 3-4 | 49074 OsnabrückPhone +49 541 580548-0 | Fax +49 541 580548-99www.graef-advertising.com | info@graef-advertising.comAmtsgericht Osnabrück HRB 201542 | Ust.-IdNr DE257274254Geschäftsführender Gesellschafter Hans-Joachim Graef Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker work-study degree students and vocational trainees; as of December 2024) Plant The Chemnitz engine plant covers a total area of 213,000 m² It is located directly next to Chemnitz city park With a workforce of some 1,800 employees (incl work-study degree students and vocational trainees) Volkswagen in Chemnitz is one of the city's largest private employers Production The Chemnitz engine plant supplies engines to the vehicle plants as well as components to the component plants of the Volkswagen Group low-consumption direct petrol injection engines (TSI) the Chemnitz plant also manufactures engine asssembly groups such as balance shafts and integrated valve gear modules Chemnitz is the type leader for EA 211 engines (1.0 liter and 1.5 liter capacity) Each ramp-up of the three engines at other Group sites worldwide is supported by experts from the Chemnitz plant Over 20 million Volkswagen engines have been built at the Chemnitz site since 1988 the site will also enter into the production of components for e-mobility Thermal management has already been confirmed as the first product Plant managerFranziska Fischer has been Plant Manager of the engine plant in Chemnitz since August 1 Franziska Fischer has held leading positions in the automotive supply industry for several years she moved to Fehrer in Wackersdorf and took over the management of the site in 2015 she gained international experience at the Fehrer site in Gadsden (Alabama) in the USA she moved to Yanfeng in Neustadt an der Donau Franziska Fischer is married and the mother of two children Environmental protectionThe integration of environmental protection in all business and decision-making processes is a key element of strategic decisions at Volkswagen Sachsen Production processes at the Chemnitz plant are continually optimised to ensure that production is as environmentally compatible as possible Efforts focus on the reduction of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions at the Chemnitz plant Other key elements are the reduction of production waste and industrial water consumption energy consumption has been significantly reduced by the consistent application of energy efficiency measures in production and the use of advanced resource-conserving processes in new production facilities Around 38 percent of energy has been saved since 2010 Major advances have also been made in the area of freshwater consumption (minus 48 percent) and CO2 emissions (minus 89 percent) Due to the central location next to the city park and proximity to a residential area the plant has a special responsibility to its environment the finished engines are transported by train A parking guidance system for employees makes it easier to find free parking spaces at shift changes Beneath the multi-storey car park is a rainwater retention basin which has a capacity of 2,450 m³ and acts as a flood defence mechanism The plant has received the platinum certificate of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB – the German Association of Sustainable Building) and is a member of Umweltallianz Sachsen (the Saxon Environmental Alliance) The Chemnitz engine plant has a certified environmental energy and quality management system as well as occupational health and safety About Volkswagen Sachsen GmbHThe founding of Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH in December 1990 marked the launch of an ambitious project by Volkswagen AG to establish a competitive production facility for Volkswagen vehicles and engines in one of the most traditional regions of the German automotive industry In addition to the temporary use of existing facilities at Zwickau and Chemnitz two new manufacturing facilities were built for vehicle and engine production The Gläserne Manufaktur in Dresden was inaugurated in 2001 Automobilmanufaktur Dresden GmbH (Gläserne Manufaktur) was merged with Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH in 2014 Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH now includes the Zwickau vehicle plant the Chemnitz engine plant and the Gläserne Manufaktur in Dresden Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH has a workforce of around 11,500 employees (including dual the Volkswagen Training Institute) Roughly 98 per cent of the employees have industry-related vocational training a master craftsman’s certificate or a technical college or university degree The average age is around 45 years and women currently account for 12.7 per cent of the workforce Danny Auerswald is Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH with responsibility for Technology and Logistics The Management Board also includes Professor Thomas Edig (Human Resources and Organisation) and Lukas Folc (Finance and Controlling) The Volkswagen Newsroom is an open platform and offers comprehensive search options to all users If you would like to be kept informed about our press releases you can also subscribe to our media information newsletter The specified fuel consumption and emission data does not refer to a single vehicle and is not part of the offer but is only intended for comparison between different types of vehicles Additional equipment and accessories (additional components etc.) can alter relevant vehicle parameters such as weight CO2 emissions and driving performance values in addition to weather and traffic conditions and individual driving behavior from the early years of the Berlin Wall to its fall Thomas Hoepker Today marks the 70th anniversary of the formal division of Germany and the founding of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) known in German as the Deutsche Demokratische Republik most commonly referred to in the West as ‘East Germany’ the Eastern part of the nation – including Berlin (though the city’s Western half remained part of the Federal Republic) – fell firmly under Soviet Russian influence Over the ensuing decades the DDR years became increasingly isolated from the rest of Europe and most visual embodiment of this cultural divide was the physical division of Berlin by the construction In the early 1970s, Magnum photographer Thomas Hoepker – who had at the time worked as a photojournalist for magazines such as Stern and Geo for a number of years – was accredited to work in the DDR along with his then-wife Eva Windmöller – a journalist who also worked for Stern “We took it for granted that our apartment was bugged We had come there armed with lots of addresses and telephone numbers for relatives living in East Germany – and we called them up: ‘Surprise Why don’t you come by and we can talk a bit?’ There was zero enthusiasm…” Hoepker recalled in an interview with The Economist “Any East German who had any sort of important job was not meant to have what they called ‘a West contact’.” A selection of Hoepker’s photographs which span the early years of the wall’s construction became the book – DDR Ansichten – Views of a Vanished Country Here we feature a selection of images from DDR Ansichten – Views of a Vanished Country along with some of Hoepker’s thoughts and recollections of his time in the East shared in the aforementioned interview with The Economist “I visited East Germany for the first time in 1959 – it was grey the only colour one saw was communist red” a lack of spontaneity – though the parties that followed such forced joviality were somewhat more relaxed lubricated as they were by an “ample supply of beer and schnapps…” “bleeding to death” as Hoepker puts it The ebb of Easterners toward the West led to the construction in 1961 of the Berlin Wall and over time its degree of militarizaition increased to incorporate minefields A few years after the wall’s completion Hoepker made a number of photographs of children playing along the wall as part of an editorial assignment Expecting the wall to have been a source of fear or disturbance for such children the photographer was shocked to discover that “children were totally relaxed about this horrible edifice!” Hoepker also made a number of images at the Berlin Friedrichstraße station a crossing point between the Eastern and Western sectors of the city The station was dubbed ‘The Palace of Tears’ due to the regularity of emotional reunions that occurred in the locale “The government in East Germany allowed people over 65 to travel to see their relatives in the West They felt that if those people crossed over and then decided to stay in the West then they wouldn’t miss them much.” the photographers explained who look so alike and were dressed so alike was a very moving moment.” Friends and relatives in Berlin often found themselves living physically near one another yet totally isolated without means of communication or freedom of movement There were daily material privations in the East as well as the restrictions upon movement and political freedom that its citizens endured “Everybody walking around in East Germany had a little bag and they called it the ‘perhaps bag’ Perhaps you will find an orange or a banana perhaps some chocolate…” A number of photographs in the book capture these ‘perhaps bags’ Hoepker also photographed official state-sponsored events political rallies and governmental addresses He is quick to underscore some of the lightheartedness in his photographs from the East with a serious note on the dangers the ruling party presented “This country was run by very limited minds It was hard to understand that these very mediocre-looking people were ruling the country with an iron fist They were very dangerous people indeed.” Hoepker missed the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 But he returned in 1990 to witness the ongoing defacing of the monolith by Germans from East and West alike “Everything I had known was now topsy-turvy but it was also clear it would be difficult for both Germanys to adapt to this new scenario.” On reflecting on the failure of the East German – and ultimately the Soviet – state Hoepker tempers the joy of reunification with a note of regret at the great disappointment and disaffection felt by many normal citizens But in some aspects it was a dream that was shattered Swiss young rider Dominique Tardin has acquired the Oldenburg licensed stallion Danzas (by De Niro x Weltmeyer) as her future dressage star who has dual citizenship in South Africa and Switzerland is based at Dolf Dietram Keller's stabe in Germany "I never in my wildest dreams thought I would have a horse like Danzas," Tardin told Eurodressage Danzas is born in 2001 and is bred by Margarete Limburg He is by De Niro out of Winnie Puuh (by Weltmeyer x Argentan x Duden II) Thuringen and the Swedish Warmblood society He finished fourth at the 2005 Neustadt/Dosse 70-day Stallion Performance test with 125.04 points and a dressage index of 145.91 he qualified for the 2006 Bundeschampionate under Christian Flamm but retired in the qualification round in Warendorf Swedish Eva and Per Pileryd of Ängagården bought a share in Danzas from the Landgestut Neustadt/Dosse and the black stallion moved to Sweden where he stood at stud for several years He was trained and competed by Peggy and Dietmar Schulz as well as by Flyinge head rider Susanne Gielen before moving to Keller's barn in Germany a year ago Dolf Dietram's young rider daughter Kathleen showed Danzas briefly The 19-year old Tardin is now aiming to ride Danzas in the young riders classes and qualify on the Swiss team for the 2011 European Young Riders Championships held in Broholm "I will start competing from February at some national shows here in Germany just to get into it," said Dominique "Then I will do the CDI's around Europe and the Swiss Dressage Championships." Tardin disclosed that her ultimate goal and dream is competing at the FEI Young Riders World Cup Finals "We'll see how it goes and at least I have two years to try and achieve this," said Tardin Related LinksScores 2006 Bundeschampionate Danzas to be competed by Kathleen Keller Dance of the Lords and Almoretto Win 2006 Bundeschampionate Qualifier in Berlin-Frohnau Stalls for Rent at Durondeau Dressage in Peer, Belgium Exceptionally Well Located Equestrian Facility in Wellington, Florida Well-built Equestrian Estate With Multiple Business Opportunities in Sweden Stable Units for Rent at Lotje Schoots' Equestrian Center in Houten (NED) For Rent: Several Apartments and Stable Wing at High-End Equestrian Facility Stable Wing Available at Reiterhof Wensing on Dutch/German border Real Estate: Well-Appointed Country House with Extensive Equestrian Facility in the U.K. Rémi Blot November eröffnet der Augustusmarkt in Dresden Mit dabei: Lilly Baumann als Goldene Reiterin auf Wallach Apollo Entdecke Sachsens längsten Weihnachtsmarkt mit internationalen Highlights und festlicher Atmosphäre Dresden - Augustus the Strong would be delighted: the Augustusmarkt Dresden's youngest and most international Christmas market opens its doors on November 27 - and will have a royal companion visitors will now also be welcomed by a Golden Horseman 23-year-old Lilly Baumann from Dresden is taking on the role combines her love of horses with her profession as a police officer After gaining her first riding experience in the Lüneburg Heath and on farms in Saxony she now combines her horse and her profession through a riding partnership in Möhrsdorf near Kamenz she will be riding the golden gelding Apollo who has been specially trained for this special event The grand opening of the Augustusmarkt will take place on November 27 at 5 p.m. directly after the opening of the Striezelmarkt Saxony's longest Christmas boulevard invites you to marvel and stroll until January 5 the Augustusmarkt attracts visitors from near and far - be it with international specialties cosy Christmas parlours or new attractions such as a nostalgic chain plane which make the market an experience until late in the evening New Year's Eve with music and fireworks is a highlight The Augustusmarkt thus presents itself as a modern counterpart to the traditional Striezelmarkt and offers Neustadt a Christmas flagship The organizers Matteo Böhme and Holger Zastrow are confident about the new season the Augustusmarkt has not only reached the pre-corona level but also surpassed it with new international offerings from countries such as the Philippines The Augustusmarkt was launched in 2012 and has since established itself as a unique Christmas market With its 500-metre-long Christmas avenue of white and gold pagodas the famous Blue Tree and numerous attractions it is a magnet for Dresdeners and tourists alike While Augustus the Strong once shaped the splendor of Dresden the Augustus Market continues this tradition with modern elegance - now also with a living Golden Horseman and we would like to use cookies to further improve your incredible experience at DieSachsen.de Visitors look out from Bastei near Dresden © Elizaveta Kovaleva/Lonely Planet Dresden has a history and continued rebirth that landed it on our Best in Travel list of places to learn but there is so much to learn about the city and the surrounding area suggested this four-day expanded tour to those who might have more time to enjoy Dresden Dresden bewitched me the moment I saw the sun rise over its domes and baroque skyline on a magical morning in 2009 fleeing from a deep personal crisis in order to take time off to consider my future when Dresden’s legendary rising-from-the-ashes story resonated with my own – and set me off on my new career as a licensed guide (Or as my mother called it: a psychohistorian!) More than a decade later I know every one of Dresden’s graceful facets To show guests my Dresden in a manner that is entertaining informative and engaging is my personal credo 9am – Kick off your Dresden adventure with a leisurely breakfast Alex offers a reasonable and satisfying buffet spread; Elbsalon in Neustadt (New Town) serves up pancakes with fresh fruit 10:30am – Hit the cobbled streets and historic squares of the Old Town on a two-hour walking tour, and learn how this one-time “Florence on the Elbe” was destroyed in WWII, then painstakingly reconstructed. Afterward, on your own, discover the Zwinger a sumptuous open-air party pavilion near the palace built by the colorful ruler Augustus the Strong sit down for a glass of wine (we recommend a locally produced Goldriesling) and admire this folly’s baroque flourishes 12:30pm – After your interactive history lesson Restaurant Pulverturm offers such hearty Saxon fare as soured beef roast crispy schnitzel and a classic German roulade – thinly cut and rolled beef stuffed with onions served with red cabbage or potato dumplings Anna im Schloss at the Royal Palace might tempt you with Eierschecke a unique Saxon cheesecake; and Quarkkäulchen small pancakes made from potatoes served with quark eat light – as you will want all your wits about you as you encounter the splendor of Dresden’s State Art Collections dresses and jewelry from the 16th to 18th centuries weapons and other personal objects fashioned out of precious metals and stones Numerous group tours and package deals are available to get the most out of these world-class institutions; allow up to three hours to visit both If museums aren’t your thing, fret not. Take a tram and bus to the Panometer a former gas-storage tank transformed by the artist Yadegar Assisi into a gigantic gallery 360° panorama of baroque Dresden alternates with a second showing the smoldering ruins of the city after the 1945 firestorm Whichever painting is on display at the time of your visit From the Panometer, stroll back through the Grosser Garten (Great Garden), a mile-wide park laid out in the baroque style of a symmetrical grid. Next comes one of the most unusual car factories in the world: Volkswagen’s so-called Transparent Factory Walk into the lobby and check out some of the interactive displays take a test drive of a late-model e-car or just sample some excellent curry sausage in the bistro while taking in the high-tech ambience 5pm – Tram number 12 takes you from the Transparent Manufactory to Schillerplatz in under 20 minutes Stroll to the Elbe and on onto the 19th-century Loschwitz Bridge find a table under the old trees of Schiller Garden a centuries-old pub and beer garden where locals gather for specialty brews with fresh pretzels and hefty portions of German food (the knuckle of pork is easily their best seller) take tram 12 for the 20-minute journey from Schillerplatz back to the Altstadt and walk to Brühl’s Terrace and the restaurants along the old fortification ramparts Café Vis-à-vis and Radeberger Spezialausschank both offer a view of the Elbe together with steins of beer. see if there’s a market happening in Altmarkt In addition to the famous Christmas market smaller markets take place to mark transitions in seasons offering a collection of quaint stalls with regional street food Now It’s time to discover the other face of Dresden: grungy Take a tram or simply walk across Augustus Bridge which depicts the conquering Saxon king August the Strong confidently riding out in the direction of Poland Follow Hauptstrasse – a once wide baroque alley that was destroyed in the war and recreated as a boulevard in the 1970s in typical East German style – to Albertplatz and its two gigantic fountains adorned with mermaids and mermen Veer right in the direction of the 19th-century Gothic Revival Martin Luther Kirche and take in some of Dresden’s only remaining Wilhelminian-style architecture which features luxe stucco facade decorations wander through small side streets and stumble across charming courtyards such as Roskolnikoff a small restaurant that seems to have never been informed of East Germany’s fall once-abandoned courtyards transformed by artists into whimsical streetscapes dotted with small boutiques 7:30pm – There are more than 200 bars and restaurants in Neustadt’s square mile some so small that they fit barely five guests at a time potent Erdbeerbowle – a punch made with fresh strawberries (when in season) or settle down in one of Neustadt’s many shisha bars (Habibi on the corner of Louisenstrasse and Martin Luther Strasse is a restaurant cafe and shisha bar with great ambiance.) The day’s grand finale will take place at Franks Bar on Alaunstrasse spent the pandemic year experimenting with ingredients to create his masterpiece: a Black Forest Cake in liquid (and alcohol-heavy) form his fresh-fruit daiquiris go down perfectly on a hot summer evening Cruise eastward down the Elbe on a historic steamboat in the direction of Pillnitz This harmony of landscape and architecture has earned the Elbe Valley a Unesco designation (Make sure you book the first of three daily departures At Pillnitz Castle, spend the next hour exploring the castle grounds and landscaped gardens: this summer playground of the Saxon kings was modeled after Versailles make sure to pay your respects to the Grand Dame of Pillnitz a Japanese camellia tree that has been protected and nurtured in this climate for 230 years running through an ingenious bit of engineering that has to be seen to be believed Have lunch at either the castle restaurant or at Wipplers a small cafe that’s been operated by the same family for 100 years Finish with a bang with a German-style dessert concoction one with three or four scoops of ice cream piled with fresh fruit Take the next boat back to town – or catch the 63 bus to wind through the small villages and charming old villas found between Pillnitz and Dresden Loschwitz is an old fishing village that’s become an affluent residential area where you can catch a suspended railway (the world’s oldest) or funicular to the top of the hill for sweeping valley views walk through the Weisser Hirsch neighborhood and its art nouveau villas then catch tram 11 at Platteleite to Elbschlösser Walk through the gardens to Lingner Terrace at Lingnerschloss where a restaurant and beer garden overlooking the river offers fabulous sunset views head back to Altstadt or Neustadt and take your pick from their many bars and restaurants Today, we head to the “Cradle of Saxony”: the medieval city of Meissen. En route, consider a stop at the fairy tale–like Moritzburg Castle Built in 1542 on an artificial island in the middle of an artificial lake this edifice was once the venue for hunting feasting and recreated sea battles during the reign of Augustus the Strong and was the last residence of the Saxon royal family before their 1945 abdication (The family reportedly buried their treasures in nearby forests; while many hunts have taken place over the years the Russian army long ago recovered all these valuables.) Today including one of the most important collections of hunting trophies in Europe ornate gold-leather wallpapers and a bed and canopy decorated with millions of colored feathers Budget 90 minutes for the visit of the castle and its grounds then catch the direct onward bus to Meissen If bypassing Moritzburg, catch the S-Bahn for the 35-minute ride to Meissen Triebischtal. Be sure to get a seat on the right side of the car, which will give you a clear view of Albrechtsburg Palace and the Gothic spires of Meissen Cathedral as the train crosses the Elbe The centerpiece of your visit is the Meissen Manufaktur, where European hard-paste porcelain – invented in Dresden – is manufactured by hand to this day. Take an audio-guide tour of the demonstration workshops to see how painstakingly every piece is created, then walk through the museum which showcases the stunning designs manufactured over 300 years Top off your visit with a coffee and cake (we love the house cake with marzipan icing) at the cafe – all served on genuine Meissen porcelain A ride on the small city bus takes you through the town to the top of Castle Hill Enjoy lunch on the terraces of the Domkeller (550 years old) or Burgkeller Next, take a tour of Germany’s oldest residential castle, Albrechtsburg, built in 1471. The “HistoPad” offers interactive enhancements, recreating, for example, 15th-century table settings and costumes in the historic rooms. Next, stop into the adjacent Dom to marvel at the accomplishments of Gothic architects. Walk down the hill to Altmarkt, and pay a visit to the Frauenkirche whose carillion is made from Meissen porcelain with quaint homes largely dating from the Renaissance sit down to an early dinner at the romantic Vincenz Richter a family-run restaurant that serves wine from its own vineyards nearby request seating in the small courtyard – and ask to take a quick peep into the former dungeon It’s off to so-called “Saxon Switzerland,” a spectacular landscape of sandstone cliffs gorge and rock formations that look like stone spires Along almost 750 miles (1200km) of marked hiking trails and 27,000 climbing routes of all grades of difficulty you can look out on magnificent vistas formed over millions of years From here it’s just a few minutes to several lookout points over the cliffs and the Elbe Valley; several hiking trails also begin or end here take the stone steps down to Bastei Bridge created with manmade stone supports connecting naturally occurring rock formations Further down is the entrance to the ruins of Neurathen Castle a series of caves carved in the Middle Ages and connected today by shaky wooden bridges Return to the top for lunch at the Panorama Restaurant which has an almost 360° view of the landscape We’ll carry on along the Elbe via the S-1 and shuttle buses to the invincible Königstein Fortress built in the 13th century and one of the largest hilltop fortifications in Europe Walk along the walls of the “Kings Rock” to take in the ever-changing views then use the audio guide to learn about the fortress’ history and famous prisoners Sit down to a simple German wurst and beer at the well-hidden Napoleon’s Kitchen a mini beer garden that can be reached by walking southward along the ramparts or sample typical German food at Zum Musketier historic inn looking out over the parade square in front of the citadel It is time to head back to Dresden after a satisfying day of exploration with a 40-minute train journey that runs along the Elbe and through its scenic valley walk to the middle of Carola Bridge to enjoy a splendid night-time view of Dresden Only have a day in Dresden? Check out Seema's one-day itinerary for learning about Dresden. A dark bay Quaterback offspring out of a full sister to the late World Young Horse champion Poetin (by Sandro Hit x Brentano II) was named champion of the 2012 Brandenburg Stallion Licensing in Neustadt The still nameless champion (later named Quaterstern) by Quaterback is bred and owned by the State Stud Neustadt/Dosse and is out of Poetin III He sold at auction for 130,000 euro to State Studs Sachsen-Anhalt and Moritzburg A large mixture of German bred horses (Oldenburg etc) were entered to be licensed in Neustadt Fifteen colts in total were licensed of which five dressage stallion became premium stallions The reserve champion is Gestut Sprehe's Hanoverian branded Descolari (by Desperados x Weltmeyer x Legat) The State Stud of Neustadt/Dosse acquired this colt for 110,000 euro The third ranked stallion was Gestut Bonhomme's German Sporthorse branded Quaterback x Tolstoi/T x Gardo The other two premium dressage stallions were Schindele and Bergmann's Bavarian branded Balesteros x Fair Play x Graphit (which sold at auction for 35,000 euro) and Ramsbrock's Oldenburg bred Fürst Romancier x Rubin-Royal x Classiker The average price for a licensed stallion at the auction was 67,272 euro Complete results here Related LinksBenetton Dream Produces 2011 Brandenburg Stallion Licensing Champion Quaterback Extravaganza at 2010 Brandenburg Stallion Licensing The German Government has donated six trained sniffer dogs and a Mercedes bus to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to boost the country’s capacity to detect concealed drugs UPDATE NEWS: Nigerians can now earn US Dollars through domain flipping buy domain names for cheap and have it resold to earn up to $15,000 Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.