What to see in Dresden aside from the china

Michelle March 3, 2017 Rome

Yes, there is a lot to explore in the German town of Dresden. Sharon Preston went to explore, and found something else as blue as the city’s famous china – a magnificent turquoise bridge called the Blue Wonder

TThe turquoise Blue Wonder, or Blaues Wunder as it’s called in German, is a bridge in the city that is renowned for its extraordinary colour. The bridge, which is constructed from 3 500 tonnes of iron and more than 10 000 rivets, connects two of Dresden’s most desirable and expensive areas, the districts of Blasewitz and Loschwitz, and spans the Elbe River. The district of Loschwitz is particularly renowned for its many 19th Century villas and mansions, and is well worth exploring if you have the time.

This bridge is considered a masterpiece of 19th Century engineering. At the time it was built, it was one of the longest bridges not supported by pillars to be constructed in the world. The47-meter-long bridge survived damage during the Second World War, and apparently the residents of Dresden were responsible for saving it.

The official name of the Blue Wonder is actually the Loshwitz Bridge, although it was originally named Konig-Albert-Brucke in honor of King Albert of Saxony. As you will see when you visit, it’s located close to the city’s funicular railway, the Standseilbahn Dresden, as well as the oldest suspension railway in the world, Schwebebahn Dresen, and the famous Dresden TV tower. It was erected in 1893 and took two years to complete.

One of the things I found most fascinating about the bridge is that there is an urban legend attached to it. Apparently it was initially painted green, but because of the elements, particularly the sun, it turned blue. But this isn’t actually true at all. The bridge has always been blue and it’s been known as the Blue Wonder from the moment it was completed more than a century ago.

Despite surviving unscathed during the Second World War, the bridge is very old now – and as such, traffic has had to be limited to sustain it. But it still remains the only way to cross over the Elbe in Dresden east of the city centre all the way up to the neighbouring town of Pirna.

So when you’re next in Dresden, do visit this fascinating bridge with its beautiful colour. It certainly has some interesting stories to tell! And as I said, it’s the gateway to Loschwitz, where you can wander around and discover some of the magnificent 19th Century villas and mansions located there.