For 125 years Loschwitz Bridge, nicknamed the “Blue Wonder,” has been a landmark in the city on the Elbe. The venerable bridge is more than just a stop on a sightseeing trip, and is heavily traveled.
Image: Fotolia/oschatzpics
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The light blue steel on this bridge in eastern Dresden is visible from afar. The now narrow Elbe flows between the two sandstone pylons on the river banks. If you cross the river, whether on foot, by bicycle or in a motor vehicle, you'll enjoy fascinating views, but you'll also notice that the bridge is the worse for wear. Its surface is peeling. There are brown flecks on the Blue Wonder, which, on Sunday, July 15th, celebrates the anniversary of its opening 125 years ago – though it won't be repainted in its original color until after the celebrations.The bridge, which is historically listed, is one of the symbols of Dresden and an indispensable link between the districts of Blasewitz and Loschwitz. Tourists sail under it on cruise boats or row in kayaks; people rest, party and kiss in its shadow; teenagers occasionally climb up the pylons to look at Dresden by night, says Reinhard Koettnitz, head of the city's road works and civil engineering department.
The Blue Wonder has spanned the Elbe since 1893Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Skolimowska
When it was first finished, this cantilever truss bridge was celebrated as a masterpiece and “technological miracle.” The miracle of a bridge without supporting piers in the river and its blue paint gave Loschwitz Bridge its nickname, the “Blue Wonder.” The structure, with its riveted steel girders, has a total length of 280 meters, spans a good 140 meters between its pylons and weighs 3500 tons. When the Nazis wanted to blow it up in 1945, two courageous citizens, independently of each other, cut the detonator wires to the explosives and saved the bridge from destruction.The Blue Wonder adorns countless postcards and is, next to the Frauenkirche and the Zwinger palace, one of the most popular photographic subjects in the city, and a backdrop for selfies, and has long been present on social media channels. The city invests more than 100,000 euros annually to maintain the structure, which to date has withstood all Elbe floods.In 1993, 3000 locals re-enacted the historical stress test performed in July 11, 1893. Back then, according to a newspaper report, “three steamrollers, six four-in-hand horse-drawn rollers, three tram wagons loaded with stones, a fully occupied tramcar, four filled water tank wagons, three coaches, five horses, a loaded goods wagon” on the central section of the bridge.Nowadays 29,000 vehicles drive over the Blue Wonder every day, 5000 fewer than before the controversial Waldschlösschen Bridge was opened downstream. “The traffic is still heavy,” says Reinhard Koettnitz, head of the office of road works and civil engineering. The bridge's load-carrying capacity is tested at regular intervals and its remaining service life estimated regularly, the next time in 2025. Koettnitz emphasises that the bridge is in no danger of being closed in the near future. He says the Blue Wonder is very old for a steel bridge, and won't last forever, “but I assume it will last for at least another 20 years.” After a quarter of a century the structure is getting a fresh coat of paint. For more than 10 million euros the protective anti-corrosion coating will be renewed – in bluish grey, as it was originally.
Directly next to the bridge is the traditional restaurant SchillergartenImage: picture-alliance/Bildagentur-online/Exss
In May 2013 the Blue Wonder had to be closed due to the Elbe floodImage: picture-alliance/dpa
A paddle steamer of the Saxon steamship on the Elbe riverImage: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Kahnert
Simona Block/ms (dpa, dw)
The Blue Wonder is only one of the sights in the capital of Saxony. Dresden is famous for its baroque architecture and art treasures.
Dresden top travel destination for 2023
The capital of Saxony was voted one of the world's top 2023 travel destinations by Lonely Planet. It is most famous for its marvellous Baroque architecture.
Image: picture-alliance/ZB
Canaletto's view
You should venture out over the Augustus Bridge and stand where artist Canaletto once set up his easel in 18th century to paint his famous view of Dresden. The cityscape, with the Frauenkirche church, Dresden Castle and Dresden Cathedral, has hardly changed since. And you'll quickly understand why this beautiful city is nicknamed Florence on the Elbe.
Image: picture-alliance/A. Franke
Frauenkirche church
Frauenkirche church was totally destroyed during World War II and for 50 years its ruins remained a war memorial. After German reunification, donations from around the world helped to have it rebuilt. It now serves as a symbol of intercultural understanding and reconciliation. The church is open to visitors, guided tours are available too.
Image: picture-alliance/Arco Images
Dresden's Zwinger Palace
The Zwinger Palace is one of the most important buildings of the Baroque era. Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony, had it built at the beginning of the 18th century. In the 19th century, the complex was turned into a museum exhibiting paintings, Meissner porcelain and historical items.
Image: picture-alliance/ZB/R. Hirschberger
The Grand Garden
Some two kilometers (1.4 miles) outside of the city center, you'll find Dresden's biggest park, the Grand Garden or Große Garten. It is a Baroque style landscape garden with colorful flowerbeds, established on the orders of John George III, Elector of Saxony. The rulers of Saxony spent the summer months in the Garden Palace, where they were also known to hold grand, opulent parties.
Image: picture-alliance/Arco Images
Dresden Castle
The Renaissance building is one of the city's oldest. Over the centuries, it has served as a residence for electors and kings of Saxony. Today, it houses the Dresden State Art Collections. The castle, like most buildings in Dresden, was destroyed during World War II. Reconstruction work began in 1985, while Dresden was still under East German Communist rule.
Image: picture-alliance/ZB/A. Burgi
The Green Vault
Dresden Castle has one of the biggest treasure chambers in Europe, boasting some 4,000 exhibits. The precious items are now displayed in the Historical Green Vault and the New Green Vault. In a spectacular 2019 heist, however, parts of the collection were stolen, though fortunately, many items have since been returned.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/EPA/M. Hiekel
The Fürstenzug: Procession of Princes
The Fürstenzug is a large mural of a mounted procession of the rulers of Saxony. It is located on the outer wall of Dresden Castle's stables courtyard. It displays the ancestral portraits of 35 margraves, electors, dukes and kings. It was replaced with 23,000 Meissen tiles between 1904 and 1907, making it the largest porcelain artwork in the world.
Image: picture-alliance/Arco Images GmbH
Semperoper
Dresden's Semperoper is one of Europe's most elegant opera houses. The Neo-Renaissance building was completed in 1878, and architect Gottfried Semper focused on perfecting its layout and sound. As a result, its spectacular acoustics are famous all over the world. Alas, World War II bombing devasted this splendid building though it was rebuilt in later decades.
Image: picture-alliance/Arco Images
The Elbe river banks
You can enjoy a panoramic view of the cityscape from the banks of the Elbe river. During the summer, movie nights are held on the meadows. Dresden's palaces also put on festivals and events during the warmer months. One of the highlights is the Dresden Palace Night, featuring concerts and firework displays.
Image: picture-alliance/A. Franke
The Elbe river
Many locals flock to Dresden's river meadows to relax and enjoy the views. Those looking to really escape the hustle and bustle treat themselves to scenic steamboat tours. Dresden has the oldest and biggest paddle steamer fleet in the world, with many dating back to the 19th century.
