Dresden

Dresden is also known as the "Florence of the North" before it was devastated in fire-bomb raids at the end of World War II. Dresden is working hard to regain some of its glory since its 800th anniversary is coming up in 2006. The city suffered a setback because of major flooding in summer 2002, which resulted in damage to the city. Its architectural gems have already been restored, and work on others is under way. Don't miss the Zwinger, a late-baroque complex of pavilions dripping with ornamentation which has Semper Gallery houses wonderful Old Masters paintings, including Raphael's Sistine Madonna.