Walking in the footsteps of history

By Kim Se-jeong

Korea Times correspondent

DRESDEN, Germany _ A German city that danced on the lips of many Koreans earlier this year.

It was recommended in Korea's political circles as a model city for the government's aspiring new city project called "Sejong."

Visiting Dresden, the capital of Saxony, makes one realize the power of passion: what a passionate individual can do _ in this case, a passionate man with wealth and status.

It also reflected the significance of time that is needed to perfect something. For Dresden, eight centuries were put into the city to shape the beauty and charm it renders now.

10 a.m.

Dresden, the capital of Saxony, has roughly 40 museums. The overwhelming number was possible thanks to Augustus the Strong (1670-1733), who ruled Saxony.

As a great admirer of architecture and art, Augustus the Strong collected an immense number of paintings and sculptures, which are now precious treasures of the city.

Indeed, as a great admirer of Louis XV of France, he built a courtyard and buildings in resemblance of Versailles, which is now used as museums.

Albertinum, a sandstone building completed in 1887 by the royal family, stores a permanent collection of new German masters from the 19th and 20th centuries.

It has oil paintings by Otto Dix, whose etchings came to Seoul for an exhibition earlier this year.

11:30 a.m.

The Church of Our Lady, dating back to the 18th century, is one of the trademarks of Dresden. It is noteworthy that the church was badly by on Feb. 13, 1945 when the British and the U.S. airforces bombed the city.

Dresden was a town of refugees at that time, sheltering nearly 600,000 war refugees. In 2005, after 13 years of rebuilding, the church reopened. The British Queen, Elizabeth II came to the re-opening. U.S. President Barack Obama also visited in 2009.

Observing the interior and exterior designs, one could see why it took 13 years to build. Be advised that the building has limited opening hours, and is extremely popular with tourists at all times.

1 p.m.

The place is called Clossoray, close to the church. It serves "Saxony sour beef with apple red cabbage and potato dumplings" on the menu, which one local described as a meat-driven typical German dish.

Thin slices of boiled pork immersed in sour brown sauce are served with cabbage and potato dumplings on the side. What couldn't be better was a glass of Kerner white wine originated in Saxony.

3 p.m.

A boat ride on the Elbe River is a must. As one Dresden guidebook described, the view from the river reveals "the city's distinctive panorama, famous for centuries and attractive to painters from all over Europe."

Additionally, the stretched-out view leads one's eyes to castles and scattered houses on the hill, and vineyards.

The boat also visits the controversial bridge construction site. Dresden used to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. As a result of the city government's decision to build a bridge, UNESCO lifted it from the list.

5 p.m.

The other side of the Elbe River called the "new town" boasts a more contemporary look.

Less touristy, the new town has retail shops, apartments and bars, and is where young people hang out. The city government buildings are also in this new district of the city.

Not to be missed is an ice cream shop "Venezia" that serves gigantic ice cream platters.

7 p.m.

One can always find music in Dresden, classical and contemporary, playing indoors and out. On a Sunday evening, however, the choice is rather limited.

A protestant church had a small concert by "Kung 1870," a Czech ensemble. In the backdrop of the noise of vuvuzelas after the German soccer team's victory against England in the FIFA World Cup, the sound of cello, violin and harpsichord was relaxing.

9 p.m.

Back in the old town, it's great to finish the day with a local beer from Saxony province.

How to get there:

Dresden is only a two-hour train ride from Berlin. You can also fly to Dresden from Frankfurt, one of Europe's biggest airports and where the most inbound Korean flights land, in only one hour. (with a map)

Online information: Dresden's official website (www.dresden.de) has ample information about tourism. Information in English is available.