Continuing our journey by car, we got to Dresden. As Wikipedia says, the name “Dresden”, as well as part of the names of its urban areas, has Slavic roots, from Old Serbian Drežďany (“inhabitants of riparian forests”). Dresden was first mentioned in historical documents in 1206 in connection with court proceedings. Over its long history, the city gradually became the center of the province of Saxony, and a variety of historical events unfolded in it. During the Second World War, Dresden was subjected to large-scale bombing, and its historic center was almost completely destroyed. Remarkably, the remaining elements of palaces, churches, historic buildings were dismantled, their fragments were described and removed. The rest of the ruins were demolished, leaving a flat area on the site of the city with the marked borders of the former streets and buildings. Subsequently, modern city streets and buildings were built around the restored historic center. The restoration of the center itself took almost forty years: surviving fragments were used for these purposes, and the missing blocks and architectural elements were created anew (they can now be identified by the light shade of the stone).
Being on the streets of Dresden, it is difficult to imagine that most of the surrounding buildings in the city center are restored new buildings. This doesn’t affect the overall impression of visiting the city – you still get pleasure from harmoniously combined baroque buildings, square paved with cobblestones, and cozy “old” cafes. It is a pity that this time we didn’t have much time to visit the main cultural attraction of the city – the Dresden art gallery. We were also interested to visit in the future the branch of the concern “Volkswagen” on assembling its top models of cars. Next time we will definitely try to get there on a tour. Earlier, while in Munich, we visited the BMW assembly line and were completely delighted: visitors are given the opportunity to observe all the stages of assembly of automobiles, from stamping the aluminum body, painting it, and up to the final assembly of all the elements. Therefore, whenever possible, we are ready to attend a similar tour of another German automaker – after all, it is a fascinating sight, to observe how people and robots work clearly and smoothly, creating a car with a legendary German quality.
Of course, during this period the Christmas market was the most memorable place. There, as in many other cities, we found mulled wine, branded German sausages, handmade Christmas decorations, and most importantly – that is where the holiday atmosphere is concentrated.
An interesting point – it wasn’t difficult to find a dog friendly cafe there, in the first place we were happily invited to the table, even wondering why we ask if we can do it with a dog. And such an attitude towards pets is all over Germany (and not only in this country, in France and Spain as well). This led to a discussion of the reasons for a diametrically opposite attitude to visiting cafes and public spaces with dogs in Eastern European countries. Even in advanced public places in Moscow, where they are allowed to go with dogs (all hope is for Perelman restaurant network). In Minsk, the hotel staff (and in cafes and other places) were so greatly and sincerely amazed, denying us our request to come with a dog, that it became straightforward uncomfortable. The amazement was so strong and genuine, as if we were asking if it was possible, I don’t know, to get settled in a chamber pot in the middle of the hall. A similar attitude was demonstrated in most establishments in Warsaw. But once you moved to Germany, everything changed completely.
And I’m thinking, what’s the reason? Maybe it is due to the “historical memory”, when any pets were evaluated exclusively utilitarian – the dog should serve, guard the house, sleep in the booth, and be unsuitable to walk around with the owners in the same room? Or employees of institutions in our area by the nature of their professional activity know too well the mentality of their visitors, who are not always ready to … err … “insure risks” associated with the behavior and activities of their pets, so that it is easier to refuse than to wait for problems? I do not know, for now am analyzing the input data 🙂
P.S.:
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Excursions in Dresden – excurilla.com
