About the Author: David Angel is a British photographer, writer and historian with 30+years experience exploring Europe. His work regularly appears in global media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, and The Guardian.
This is my guide to the 6 best churches in Dresden to visit, from the famous Frauenkirche to a couple of amazing hidden gems.
The three main Baroque churches in Dresden are among the most beautiful in Europe. Remarkably, they were all rebuilt from the rubble after destruction near the end of World War Two.
Dresden was known for centuries as ‘Florence on the Elbe’ for its stunning architecture. Its famous skyline is still dominated by its churches, finally restored to their former glory.
My guide to the best churches in Dresden includes three of these magnificent Baroque edifices. It also includes two other Dresden churches a short distance from the city centre. These are both worth the visit if you’re in the area.
I describe what to see outside and inside each of these churches, and delve into their history. I also advise you how to get to each of them by public transport.
I hope you enjoy visiting them as much as I have.
Churches In Dresden – A Brief Introduction
Dresden was the most powerful city in Saxony from 1319 onwards, when it became capital of the Margraviate of Meissen. It was a large medieval city, but really began to flourish during the reign (1694 to 1733) of Augustus the Strong (August der Starke). This was when the great Baroque churches of Dresden were built.
Dresden was a mainly Protestant city, although some Catholic churches were also built, including the Hofkirche. Some churches in Dresden suffered severe damage during the Seven Years War and had to be rebuilt in the Baroque style.
The entire historic city centre of Dresden was destroyed during the Allied bombing raid of 13th February 1945. Under the Communist government of the former East Germany, the reconstruction of Dresden was a piecemeal process.
The Frauenkirche was left as a pile of rubble in the Neumarkt, as a memorial to the destruction wrought by war. The Frauenkirche was the final Dresden landmark to be restored. It was completed in 2005, 60 years after its destruction.
Four of these churches in Dresden are within walking distance of each other. The only one that involves a tram ride is the Garrison Church of St Martin.
These are the most beautiful churches in Dresden.
1. Frauenkirche Dresden
The queen of Dresden churches – beautifully rebuilt and restored after World War 2 destruction
The Frauenkirche – the Church of Our Lady in Dresden – is one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Europe. Originally a missionary chapel, the church had to be rebuilt twice during the Middle Ages as it couldn’t accommodate its growing congregation. It eventually adopted the Protestant interpretation of Christianity, and a new church was built between 1726 and 1743.
It was built by George Bähr, a soaring masterpiece with a 90-metre-high bell-shaped dome. The church is almost twice as high as it is long – only around 50 metres – so it has an amazing feeling of height. The painting in the dome seems so distant as you look heavenwards. In the Middle Ages, churches were built to inspire awe, and this church and view do exactly that.
Worshippers can sit in galleries high above the floor of the church. It’s also possible to climb to the top of the dome for superb views of Dresden. Tip: morning is the best time for this. Visiting the Frauenkirche is free, but there’s a €10 fee for climbing the dome.
My article on the Frauenkirche Dresden goes into further detail.
Getting there: Trams 1, 2 and 4 stop at Altmarkt and Pirnaischer Platz. Trams 3,7 8, 9 and 12 also stop around the corner on the other Pirnaischer Platz tram stop. The Dresden DVB transport website has further information.
2. Dresden Cathedral – Katholische Hofkirche Dresden
Former Royal Church, opulent exterior, surprisingly restrained inside
The former Catholic Church of the Royal Court in Saxony is the resting place of many members of the Wettin dynasty. The family ruled Saxony for almost 500 years, from 1423 until 1918.
It goes by several names. It’s dedicated to the Holy Trinity (Sanctissimae Trinitatis), and is also called the Catholic Court Church (Katholische Hofkirche). I’ve also seen it referred to as Dresden Catholic Cathedral.
Saxony was predominantly Protestant at the time of the reign of Augustus the Strong, who had converted to Catholicism. This was partly a political move – it gained him the Kingdom of Poland – but he kept things quiet so as not to antagonize the Saxon population.
Augustus worshipped in a private chapel within the Court, but his son and successor Friedrich August II (Frederick Augustus II) decided to be more open about his faith. He did so by building this stunning Baroque church on the banks of the Elbe. The church tower is one of the main components of the famous Dresden skyline, one of the most beautiful skylines in Europe.
The church was designed by Roman architect Gaetano Chiaveri, who also built part of the Royal Castle in Warsaw. The exterior is elaborate florid Baroque, decorated with a superb series of statues. The interior is rather bare in comparison, dominated by the white pillars and vaulted ceiling. It’s not without its ornate flourishes, including Balthasar Permoser’s Rococo pulpit.
The church’s width adds to the impression of sparseness. Unlike in many Baroque churches in Central Europe, the side chapels are removed from the nave, an aisle away from the main body of the church.
One of the most beautiful chapels in the Hofkirche is that of St Benno, in the northeast corner of the nave. The alter painting, by Stefano Torelli, was completed in 1752. It depicts Bishop Benno preaching to the Sorbs, a West Slavic people who still live in the Lusatia region near Dresden.
There is also a Memorial Chapel to the left of the main entrance. It’s dedicated to the thousands of victims who perished in the 1945 bombing of Dresden.
Getting there: Trams 4, 8 and 9 stop on Theaterplatz, right outside the Cathedral.
3. Kreuzkirche Dresden – Church of the Holy Cross
Church with centuries-old choral tradition and astounding views from the tower
The Kreuzkirche – Holy Cross Church – overlooks the Altmarkt, the largest square in Dresden. This is also the setting for the Christmas Striezelmarkt, the oldest Christmas Market in Germany.
What we see today is the sixth incarnation of the Holy Cross Church. It has been destroyed five times, most recently in 1945. We know what it looked like during the 18th century – both intact and destroyed – from the work of Saxon court painter Bernardo Bellotto, the nephew of Canaletto.
The church was rebuilt after its destruction in World War Two, and left rather sparsely decorated. In a way, it’s all the better for it. Interestingly it seems that some of the bases of the walls have survived, with the rebuilt part above it.
Unfortunately, I was unable to photograph the interior – a pity as it deserves to be seen.
However, the views from the tower – advertised by the pictured Playmobil choirboy figure – make up for it. It’s a 259-step climb to the top, from where you have one of the best views of Dresden.
The church is next door to the Rathaus (Town Hall) so there’s a great view over the tower. Moving clockwise around the viewing gallery, there is also a superb view over the Altmarkt and Dresden Altstadt, including the Hofkirche and Residenzschloss (Dresden Castle).
However, the highlight of the view is the bell-shaped dome of the Frauenkirche, directly to the north.
Getting there: Trams 8.9,11 or 12 to Prager Strasse, or 3,7, 8,9 and 12 to Pirnaischer Platz. Bus 62 stops at both. Bus 68 also stops at Prager Strasse.
4. Garrison Church of St Martin
Neo-Romanesque pile near the Military History Museum
I chanced upon this intriguing church while visiting the Military History Museum on Olbrichtplatz. It’s in the north of the city, around three miles from the centre. Although the spire is one of the tallest Dresden landmarks (at 93 metres, over 300 feet) you probably wouldn’t go out of your way to see it unless you were visiting the Museum.
The entrance is on the north side, next to the road. It soon became apparent that the church occupied only part of the building. I was intrigued, and found out that it was intended as a ‘double church’. The Catholic church is still in use, while the Protestant part is no longer used for its original purpose.
The church was built for Saxon soldiers at the Albertstadt military base, but has long been used as a local parish church.
The interior is rather dark, illuminated by some colourful 20th-century stained glass.
Getting there: Tram 7 to Stauffenbergallee
5. Annenkirche
St Anne’s Church is just outside Dresden Altstadt, and was the first Protestant church to be built in the city. It was founded by Anne of Denmark, wife of Elector Augustus I (and therefore Electress) of Saxony. It was completed in 1578, but the original was, like the nearby Kreuzkirche, destroyed by Prussian forces during the Seven Years War.
Much of the Baroque church that was subsequently built survived the 1945 bombing. The roof truss was severely damaged but, remarkably, hundreds of people who sought shelter there survived the raid.
Prior to this, the church was remodelled during the early 20th century, with Art Nouveau decoration that survives. The altarpiece, representing the Tree of Life, was consecrated in 2017.
It’s well worth the short walk from the Zwinger Palace and Postplatz to seek out this hidden gem of Dresden.
Getting there: A 5-minute walk southwest of Postplatz (trams 1,2,4,7,8,9,11 and 12 all stop there)
6. Loschwitz Kirche
Loschwitz Church – in the beautiful riverside suburb of the same name – has many parallels – and links – with the more famous Frauenkirche over in Dresden Altstadt.
The first clue is the tall bell-shaped dome. The church was the first commission awarded to architect George Bähr, and was begun in 1705. Within 20 years or so he was beginning work on his most prestigious project, the Frauenkirche.
Both churches were razed to the ground during the Allied bombing raids of February 1945. And the reconstruction of both only came about after the fall of the Communist East German regime and the Berlin Wall. The Loschwitz Kirche was completed in 1995, a decade before its most famous counterpart.
Both churches are Lutheran Protestant, but the decoration of this suburban church is much simpler than that of the Frauenkirche. But there are still some common features, including the elevated galleries where men would worship. The altarpiece was retrieved from the ruins of the Sophienkirche, another Dresden church destroyed during the bombings, but sadly never restored.
See Also: 10 Great Things To Do In Loschwitz Dresden
Churches In Dresden – Final Thoughts
Dresden’s churches are an outstanding introduction to the ‘Florence on the Elbe’. The Frauenkirche in particular is one of the most beautiful churches in Europe, worth crossing the country to see.
Overall, Dresden is easily one of the best places to visit in Eastern Germany, and a great base for exploring the Saxony region. Check out my guide to the best day trips from Dresden, which is full of ideas on places to visit nearby. It’s within a short distance of the magnificent Bastei Bridge in the Saxon Switzerland National Park. This makes an easy day trip from Dresden.
For an introduction to Dresden, take a look at my guide to the best Dresden landmarks, which covers everything from the famous Elbe Castles to the Altstadt. While you’re in the historic centre of Dresden, don’t miss the amazing Baroque Zwinger Palace, home to one of the best art galleries in Europe. Check out my guide to visiting Dresden Old Masters Gallery here – it also includes a run-down of 15 of the best paintings to seek out.
And for a completely different angle on the city, my article on the Stasi Museum Dresden explores life under the feared East German secret police.
If you’re only going to have time for a brief stop in the city, then check out my One Day In Dresden article and itinerary. My Prague to Dresden article may well be useful if you plan to travel between the two cities.
And don’t miss my guide to the best places to visit in Germany, which covers the entire country.
Explore more churches in Germany and Central Europe:
- Churches in Nuremberg – the ecclesiastical wonders of Germany’s Imperial City
- Churches in Quedlinburg – Romanesque treasures in World Heritage wonderland
- Trier Cathedral – the oldest cathedral in Germany – and one of the finest in the country
- Churches in Prague – the 20 most beautiful churches in the Czech capital
- Týn Church Prague – one of the crowning glories of the City of a Hundred Spires
- Kutna Hora Bone Church – the astonishing skeleton art of the Sedlec Ossuary
- Cathedral of St Barbara Kutna Hora – gorgeous Gothic masterpiece in the Czech UNESCO silver mining town
And discover more of our articles on churches around Europe here:
- Famous Churches In Paris – Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and many more
- La Sainte-Chapelle Paris – one of the wonders of the Gothic Age
- Basilica of St Denis Paris – the glorious first flourish of Gothic architecture
- Churches In Venice Italy – 14 of the finest Venetian churches to explore
- Churches in London – from St Paul’s to hidden gems in the City, the best 25 churches to visit in London
- Visiting Westminster Abbey – the many wonders of the great royal church of London
- Visiting Exeter Cathedral – one of the greatest achievements of English Decorated Gothic architecture
- Visiting Chester Cathedral – one of the loveliest churches in the North of England
David Angel is a British photographer, writer and historian. He is a European travel expert with over 30 years’ experience exploring Europe. He has a degree in History from Manchester University, and his work is regularly featured in global media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, The Guardian, The Times, and The Sunday Times. David is fluent in French and Welsh, and can also converse in Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Czech and Polish.