The New Student's Reference Work/Dresden

Dresden (drĕz' den), one of the largest cities of the German empire and the capital of Saxony, is situated in the beautiful valley of the Elbe. The city lies on both sides of the river, the old portion on the left bank having narrow, gloomy streets; while the streets of the newer part are wide and regular. Dresden is often called the German Florence, because of its many objects of high historic value. Many of the churches are of historic interest, and the palaces are beautiful buildings, containing fine collections of celebrated works of art. The oourt-theater is another fine building. There also are many beautiful monuments scattered through the city. The chief pleasure ground is the Grosser-Garten, in which are a summer theater and two museum. Near by, is the zoological garden. Dresden is famous for its artistic, literary and scientific collections. The most valuable of these is the picture-gallery, in the museum, which contains 2,500 pictures. This collection is one of the finest in Europe. The so-called Japanese palace contains a library of 300,000 volumes and collections of coins, ancient works of art, china and similar objects. Among the chief branches of industry in the town are manufactures in gold, silver, straw-plait and scientific and musical instruments. Dresden is known to have existed in 1206. It was almost entirely burned in 1491, but was soon rebuilt. In the first half of the 18th century Augustus I and II, Electors of Saxony, by their extensive improvements began to give the city the appearance it now has. The city suffered severely in the Seven Years' War, in the wars of Napoleon and in the Revolution of 1848. It has greatly improved in the last 25 years. Population, 546,882.