Exploring Dresden's Baroque Quarter
While most visitors to Dresden will remain in the Altstadt (Old Town), across the river the old Neustädter Baroque Quarter is the city’s overlooked treasure and the true heart of the city. Most of the beautifully restored architecture dates back to the 18th century when Elector August the Strong commissioned the district to be rebuilt after devastating fires of 1685. Today it is notable for its selection of fine galleries, museums, ateliers and artisans, as well as a few restaurants and boutique hotels. It's worth a step away from the sights of the old town to wander down the quiet old streets, marveling at by-gone era of Dresden. Unlike the historic core, this part of the city wasn't completely flattened by World War II bombs. The first sight of interest at the edge of the neighborhood is the Japanese Palace, built to house the porcelain collection of August the Strong in 1714. Today it houses an Ethnological Museum. While the Baroque Quarter is low on
