HISTORY
On behalf of August the Strong the Hauptstraße was built between 1687 and 1732 and since then has been one of Dresden’s most favorite pedestrian areas.
It extends from the equestrian statue of August the Strong, the Golden Horseman, passing the arts and crafts arcades and the Dreikönigskirche church, along until Albertplatz.
Altdresden – The Old Dresden
After the huge fire in the city in 1685, in which almost the entire city to the right of the Elbe River (known then as “Altdresden”) was destroyed, August the Strong planned the reconstruction of the “Neue Königsstadt”, the new royal city (today known as “Neustadt”). The architect Caspar von Klengel was ordered to form the new face of this area. Still today streets and buildings of this time can be admired.
Town Hall
Roughly 550 years ago the first town hall of old Dresden was built close to where the Golden Horseman can be found today. It was first officially mentioned in the year 1455 and was located on the North side of the Neustädter Markt. On the front sides of the two-story building Renaissance gables could be seen, and the roof was completed with a bell tower with an onion dome. In the first floor there was the large hall and in the basement there was the cellar of the town hall, in which a leaseholder could serve wine and beer. Later, the Neustädter Rathaus was built on the same location.
The Socialistic Era
After a large part of the buildings were destroyed or damaged in the Second World War, the Hauptstraße experienced an active construction period during GDR times. Between 1977 and 1980 the Neustädter Markt, the new town market, was completely re-designed. During this time many shops and living quarters were created, while keeping the “green character” of the area. The Hauptstraße was one of the most famous shopping districts of Dresden also back in the GDR times.
Present Appearance
After changes in the urbanistic appearance and the modernization of the facades the Hauptstraße shows itself in a new light. The WOBA DRESDEN GMBH renovated the 35 shops and has increased the amount of shops to 75. Due to this, a dramatic change in the shop and assortment structure has been achieved. Baroque, Art Nouveau and socialistic structures have been reconstructed extensively. The Hauptstraße with its variety of shops and its special flair guarantees a unique shopping experience in the center of Dresden. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a new dress, searching for the perfect gift or just wanting to relax with a cup of coffee, the merchants on the Hauptstraße are able to fulfill your every wish, and this every work day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On behalf of August the Strong the Hauptstraße was built between 1687 and 1732 and since then has been one of Dresden’s most favorite pedestrian areas.
It extends from the equestrian statue of August the Strong, the Golden Horseman, passing the arts and crafts arcades and the Dreikönigskirche church, along until Albertplatz.
Altdresden – The Old Dresden
After the huge fire in the city in 1685, in which almost the entire city to the right of the Elbe River (known then as “Altdresden”) was destroyed, August the Strong planned the reconstruction of the “Neue Königsstadt”, the new royal city (today known as “Neustadt”). The architect Caspar von Klengel was ordered to form the new face of this area. Still today streets and buildings of this time can be admired.
Town Hall
Roughly 550 years ago the first town hall of old Dresden was built close to where the Golden Horseman can be found today. It was first officially mentioned in the year 1455 and was located on the North side of the Neustädter Markt. On the front sides of the two-story building Renaissance gables could be seen, and the roof was completed with a bell tower with an onion dome. In the first floor there was the large hall and in the basement there was the cellar of the town hall, in which a leaseholder could serve wine and beer. Later, the Neustädter Rathaus was built on the same location.
The Socialistic Era
After a large part of the buildings were destroyed or damaged in the Second World War, the Hauptstraße experienced an active construction period during GDR times. Between 1977 and 1980 the Neustädter Markt, the new town market, was completely re-designed. During this time many shops and living quarters were created, while keeping the “green character” of the area. The Hauptstraße was one of the most famous shopping districts of Dresden also back in the GDR times.
Present Appearance
After changes in the urbanistic appearance and the modernization of the facades the Hauptstraße shows itself in a new light. The WOBA DRESDEN GMBH renovated the 35 shops and has increased the amount of shops to 75. Due to this, a dramatic change in the shop and assortment structure has been achieved. Baroque, Art Nouveau and socialistic structures have been reconstructed extensively. The Hauptstraße with its variety of shops and its special flair guarantees a unique shopping experience in the center of Dresden. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a new dress, searching for the perfect gift or just wanting to relax with a cup of coffee, the merchants on the Hauptstraße are able to fulfill your every wish, and this every work day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
