[It's] a Lutheran church, but built at the peak of the Baroque period — it seems the artistic style of the age trumped the Lutheran taste for simplicity. The Stasi had hundreds and thousands of informants, so they were colleagues, friends, family members spying on people, and then it was very difficult to choose: Do I want to know what information the Stasi kept on me, or would I also — I would also find out who spied on me. During these protests, people would bravely go inside the church to meet — not knowing what would happen to them when they came back out. Home / Blog; Destination: Berlin. The wine (85 percent white) is particularly good from the Mosel and Rhine areas. This is the largest collection of 16th-century Europe's leading armor designer, Anton Peffenhauser. Then, after peeking into a secret police headquarters, we'll recall how people power brought down communism…and see how people today are enjoying their freedom. Then, Dresdeners decided to rebuild it completely and painstakingly. Western pop music, while reined in and certainly controlled, was allowed — from the Beatles to Jethro Tull. 99 $24.99 $24.99. But I took notes on the gaps where I needed to pause my iPhone. At the peak of its power in the 18th century, this wealthy capital of Saxony ruled much of eastern Germany from the banks of the Elbe River. Just outside of Leipzig is a gigantic monument to an earlier struggle. And a fleet of 19th-century paddleboats tempts visitors for a lazy river cruise. This poor fellow, repressed by both regimes, with his head scrunched down, seems to represent individuality under siege. The curves help create a feeling of community. Posted by David. Stepping inside, you're struck by the shape — not so wide but very tall. With the help of international donations, Dresden's most beloved church was rebuilt and finally reopened to the public in 2005. Tucson. Inside, the church sports a pastel pink-and-green color scheme and fluted columns that sprout green fronds at the top. … Coffee was exotic and trendy back then, and this extravagant centerpiece, while never actually used to serve coffee, certainly made an impression. This section of our forum has been retired. Longer than a football field, this mural on the outside of Dresden's Royal Palace illustrates the evolution of weaponry and fashions over seven centuries of Saxon royalty. Leipzig's Renaissance-style Town Hall, with its fine arcade, overlooks the Market Square. Imagine whipping out your pocket sundial in the year 1700, or a newfangled pocket watch in 1760 — with a risqué painting. Services . Saxony, part of the former East Germany, remains a secret to most travelers. Cute and cozy Haarlem is a good place to start a European trip. Berliners look at any mound in a park knowing that it’s rubble from their bombed-out city — bulldozed and landscaped after the destruction of World War II. Its inviting and tree-lined main drag, Hauptstrasse, opened in 1979. My nod goes to Heidelberg by a mile. Dresden's grand architecture and dedication to the arts earned it the nickname "Florence on the Elbe.". Other attractions include the Royal Armory and the Turkish Chamber, one of the oldest collections of Ottoman art outside Turkey. of the Nazis, and the proletariat's raised fist from the communist era. Saxony, part of the former East Germany, remains a secret to most travelers. Basically it was Germans who turned back the French invaders. Saxony, part of the former East Germany, remains a secret to most travelers. All of ricks suggestions are booked during the time we'll be there. Rick visits the two great cities of the region: the capital city of Dresden, with the opulent palaces and art treasures of the Wettin dynasty, and Leipzig, with its Bach heritage, a massive monument to the day Europe beat Napoleon, and museums remembering its communist heritage. And high above, in the dome, hundreds of life-sized soldiers on horses return from battle. This time we're in Saxony — the great cities of Dresden and Leipzig. Skip to main content.ca Hello, Sign in. An erection like this was a big deal in communist times. Locals and tourists alike gather on its rooftop terrace to enjoy a drink and the best view in town. The average German, who drinks 40 gallons We'll visit the two great cities of the region: the capital city of Dresden, with the opulent palaces and art treasures of the Wettin dynasty, and Leipzig, with its Bach heritage, a massive monument to the day Europe beat Napoleon, and museums remembering its communist heritage. This glittering Baroque treasure collection is the sightseeing highlight of the city. After German reunification, the rebuilding of Dresden accelerated. The biggest space in the palace, this room was the scene of medieval war games. Germany is one part of a longer trip and is the piece we've both agreed on as definite. Listen Live: Classic and Contemporary Celtic, Listen Live: Cape, Coast and Islands NPR Station. The museum is not fancy — basically one long hallway and a few rooms, with dusty hand-lettered exhibits — but fascinating to those interested in this dark chapter of German history. You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in Germany.This guidebook takes you from fairy-tale castles, alpine forests, and quaint villages to the energetic Germany of today. Travel information for Europe's best destinations across 25+ countries. Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the best of Europe. For 40 years, through the Cold War, Dresden was part of communist East Germany. As the city expanded, the pavilions and galleries we see today were built. Saxony, part of the former East Germany, remains a secret to most travelers. In the early 1700s, Bach was the organist and choirmaster right here, at St. Thomas Church. According to legend, for 151 of these Chinese vases, Augustus traded 600 soldiers — complete with horses — to Prussia. Brad. 12/13/20 03:23 AM. The dogs smelled the item, and then smelled the jars. Thanks for joining us. And, among earth's rulers, he was the embodiment of absolute power and endless wealth. It was built to soothe the pride of Saxony after it was incorporated into the newly formed country of Germany in the 1870s. Since you ask for SW Germany I’d recommend any of a number of lake towns on the east side of Lake Constance. Gisa: Yes, they got bigger and bigger every week. Its two leading cities are Leipzig and Dresden. Thank you, Rick Steves, for reporting from Eastern Germany! ksps 7.3 Create 10/19 20:00: Saxony, part of the former East Germany, remains a secret to most travelers. I decided to take my own audio tour — the newest self-guided tour on our free Rick Steves’ Audio Europe app. And after a relaxing hour or two on the train, we arrive in Leipzig. Try Rick Steves Pocket Munich & Salzburg. Memorials, while understated, remember the horror of war. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-saving travel tips, small-group tours, guidebooks, TV shows, radio programs, podcasts, and more on this destination. Berlin: A City of Memories — and Memorials — from a Horrible War . There are commoners — from miners and farmers to carpenters and students. Account & Lists Sign in Account & Lists Returns & Orders. Hamilton Public Library. The Parade of Nobles is a mural painted on 24,000 tiles of local porcelain. At the year 1694 stands Augustus the Strong, the most important of the Saxon kings. Looking at flights to arrive in Munich and depart Berlin. Planning a spring trip ( end of March) to Germany. To protect these priceless items, the number of visitors each day is carefully controlled. American and British planes firebombed the city on the night of February 13, 1945. Ferries crisscross the lake all day. Rick Steves Best of Germany: With Salzburg (Rick Steves Travel Guide) Part of: Rick Steves Travel Guide (32 Books) | by Rick Steves | Nov 12, 2019. Rick Steves Best of Germany: Rick Steves: 9781631218057: Books - Amazon.ca. As a traveler, don't be shy. Last year when I traveled to Italy I ONLY took a Rick Steves book with me and was fine for 3 weeks. With the fall of communism in 1989, Germany was reunited. We start in Dresden – with fanciful Baroque architecture and some of the best museum-going in all of Germany. Switzerland draws travelers from around the world for its legendary mountains. Gisa: Very much so. We visit teeming Cairo, straddling the Nile, exploring the back streets on a tuk-tuk. We’ll visit the two great cities of … Above the door is the largest organ in Saxony, which booms out 45-minute concerts each Saturday evening. Rick Steves Classroom Europe® is a free resource allowing teachers to share the best of European art, history, and culture with their students and fellow educators. 3.0 out of 5 stars 2. ... I’m looking for somewhere to go in Central Germany (east of Frankfurt), a smallish place with walks and other outdoor things to do and family friendly. Posted on July 23, 2012 June 11, 2017. Language: english. Prager Street, a bombed-out ruins until the 1960s, was rebuilt as a showcase for communist ideals. The show is produced by Back Door Productions and Oregon Public Broadcasting and distributed by American Public Television. Tonight the fruit and vegetable merchants have made way for a big open-air concert — with music and lots of sausages, kraut, and beer. In the Alps of Austria and Italy, we celebrate both nature and culture. In the 1980s, Leipzig's oldest church became a major staging ground for the Peaceful Revolution that would ultimately topple the East German Communist regime. Year: 2018. When completed in 1743, this was Germany's tallest Protestant church. As a fan of yours, I wanted to suggest already to you to visit THE OTHER GERMANY! We will be picking up a car at Frankfurt Airport, driving to Dresden, and then take the train to Prague for a 3 night stay. Smaller text Larger text. These turned political, making St. Nicholas a staging ground for the Peaceful Revolution that would ultimately topple the communist regime. Rick Steves’ Europe: Erfurt, Germany, an undiscovered gem By Tribune Media Services. Rick uses Ethiopia as a classroom for understanding global hunger and extreme poverty. ISBN 10: 1631216694. Climbing to the top of the beautifully reconstructed dome, you're rewarded with a commanding view over Dresden and its river. The Frauenkirche, or "Church of Our Lady," is the symbol and soul of the city. Until next time, keep on travelin'. Saxony is a proud region of Germany with a long and rich history. It's once again the heart of the city — alive with people and cafés. Rick: So eventually these Monday prayer services for peace spilled out of the church and into the city at large? Join writer and host Rick Steves as he experiences the local culture, cuisine and fun in some of Europe’s most interesting places. Its nickname: "The Balcony of Europe." The remnants of the destroyed church were fitted together like a giant jigsaw puzzle, with about a third of the darker original stones placed lovingly in their original spots. After exploring the proud cuisine capital of Lyon we head for Chamonix. Produced in Boston, shared with the world. A column in the church square celebrates the church's contribution to German freedom. Posted by greggavin25 on 04/18/15 09:27 PM. Bach's tomb, adorned with flowers, is like a pilgrimage [site] for music lovers. He ruled India when Augustus ruled Saxony. Laced with tranquil and picturesque canals, Delft would easily win the cuteness contest. Rick Steves Best of Germany: With Salzburg (Rick Steves Travel Guide) Part of: Rick Steves Travel Guide (32 Books) | by Rick Steves | Nov 12, 2019. Its vast, uniform apartment blocks goose-step up the boulevard to this day. The artist carefully studied armor and clothing, accurately tracing the evolution of weaponry and fashions through the centuries. Like royal Legos on a silver stage, the figures, made of gold and glazed with enamel, were movable for the king's pleasure. There is mountain and vineyard hiking nearby. Try Prime Hello, Sign in Account & Lists Sign in Account & Lists Orders Try Prime Cart. Rick Steves' Europe. 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