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The old town of Meissen
– within 5 - 10 minutes walking distance from the hotel:
The 1000- year- old Meissen
at the Saxon wine street is shaped by its medieval history, fine
world famous porcelain creations and the wine landscape of the Elbe valley. It is here where Saxony's
history began with the Wettiner princes. Meissen
is therefore rightly referred to as “Saxony's
cradle”. The Albrechtsburg castle is the first palace
construction in the German-language area and was built from 1471 to
1524 in late-Gothic style. The former residence palace is a museum
today and visited just as often as the cathedral next to it, whose
prince chapel is one of the most famous burial places of the
Wettiner. The diverse history of 1000 years is especially reflected
in the old part of the town, which has kept its medieval infinitive
and remained almost untouched throughout the Second World War. It was
already lovingly restored in the last years considering the
monumental protection. Discover even more distinctive features at the
market place, at the Heinrich place, as well as in the narrow and
cobbled, winding alleys and ancient stairs leading up to the castle.
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Dresden – the city of art and
culture – is only 30 - 40 minutes away by car or train:
The Saxon capital offers amazing cultural sights that are well
worth a visit. The Dresden Zwinger, the Semper opera and the
residence palace as well as many other historic monuments stand out
against the skyline. The restoration of the graceful Frauenkirche
Dresden to all its former glory and as a symbol of peace was completed
in Oktober 2005 and has since been attracting visitors from all over
the world . The angels from Raffaels Sixtinian Madonna are a
world-wide/ global advertisement for Dresden's superb art collections,
and there is a large number of outstanding museums and monuments
inviting a visit. The magnificent river walks in addition to an
active and rich nightlife present a fantastic conclusion of a day in
this wonderful city.
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Hunting
palace Moritzburg – located only 15 minutes driving distance from
the hotel:
Moritzburg
castle is considered one of the most charming recreation areas close to
Dresden.
The baroque palace set in the middle of a small lake attracts thousands
of visitors annually. In the 18th century it served elector Friedrich August
I. from Saxony,
named August the Strong, as hunting stay and magnificent scenery for
royal festivities. Today, it houses a museum and has become a venue for
numerous events and weddings.
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Castle of Pillnitz - about one hour driving
distance from the hotel:
The castle
of Pillnitz was
once massively altered and extended following in structions from king
August the Strong and became known for its spectacular gardens and
water games. Built around 1780 as an English garden surrounding the palace,
the park remains exceedingly beautiful – featuring a wide range
of beautiful, rare flowers and plants through the seasons and
affording a unique gracefulness and elegance during winter.
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The Elbe
Sandstone Mountains “Saxon Switzerland” –
merely 60 minutes away by car or direct train connection:
For all friends of hiking, the
Saxon Switzerland is the ideal destination. Saxon Switzerland is the
German part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains
and lies upstream from Dresden on both
sides of the Elbe river. The name
Saxon Switzerland arose in the 18th century and is supposed/or
believed/or assumed to go back to the two Swiss artists Adrian Zingg
and Anton Graff, who may have been reminded of their homeland/ native
country by the landscape. The defining characteristic of these craggy
rocky mountains is the extraordinary wealth of forms and shapes on the
narrowest of spaces. The continuous change of evenness, canyons, table
mountains and rocks with its remaining closed forest areas are unique
to Central European low mountain
ranges and ecologically significant.
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The golden city of Prague – can be reached in less
than two hours via the new highway:
The names “city of the hundred towers
and spires” and “golden Prague” evoke the many facets of
this fascinating Czech city. Since it was spared from the worst war
devastations, its rich architectural heritage largely remained.
Therefore the maintenance -
particularly of the painted stucco facades- is a continuous process.
Already in the 19th century many visitors complained about the numerous
scaffoldings. At the time of the communists, Prague was location of the Warsaw
Pact. After the revolution in 1989, however, the capital liberated
itself from the decades of suppression and experienced a revival to its
old glory.
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