In the summer of 2012, I had the extraordinary opportunity to visit Germany. While visiting a country such as Germany is always an amazing experience, I had the chance to visit it during the European Cup, which is one of the greatest events in all of soccer, especially in Europe. As you may know, soccer is extremely popular throughout all of Germany, so the country was filled with constant excitement and celebration.
Unfortunately, I only had the chance to explore the city of Dresden while in Germany, but I still gained a great understanding and feel for the country. For those that are unaware, Dresden is situated in the Eastern part of Germany near the Czech border. It also lies directly on the Elbe River, which splits the beautiful city into two parts. While it existed for a long time as a centerpiece of European Politics, culture, and economic development, Dresden was tragically bombed during World War II when 25,000 people lost their lives and the city was practically destroyed. However, the city underwent an extensive reconstruction starting in the early 1950s, and many important architectural monuments were fully restored.
Today, Dresden offers attractions in a large variety and combines three primary aspects which complement each other: notable art treasure, architectural sights, and a breathtaking landscape. During my trip to Dresden, I spent a significant amount of time simply watching Euro Cup games at both bars and the giant arenas which are set up all throughout the city for thousands of residents to get together and support their team. However, we also took the time to visit the unique museums, cathedrals, and landmarks. In my opinion, the Church of Our Lady, Zwinger Palace, the Semper Opera, and the Green Vault are all attractions that simply must be visited while in Dresden. All of these historical sites were masterfully reconstructed after the bombing and are now some of the most remarkable architectural landmarks in the world. With the exception of the Opera house, they also hold unique collections of art and royal treasures.
The nightlife and entertainment aspects of Dresden are also one of a kind. As in many European countries, drinking usually starts with lunch or earlier. As expected, the choice of beverage throughout Germany is almost always beer, and children can pretty much start drinking at any age. The beer is usually served with the typical German cuisine, which almost always include meats such as pork, beef, or poultry. While you can’t go anywhere without seeing a bratwurst on the menu, most German restaurants also include various other main and side dishes such as schnitzels, pretzels, and noodles, among many other food items. While the food may not be as unique and diverse as in other European countries, the German cuisine is certainly delicious and must be tried, just like other aspects of the German culture.
