The bridge itself
Blue steel leaping the river with no pier — the engineering wonder of 1893.
Kuebi = Armin Kübelbeck — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Je-str — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Dguendel — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jörg Blobelt — CC BY-SA 4.0
The "Blue Wonder" is Dresden's beloved bridge: a blue steel structure of 1893 leaping the Elbe with no pier in the river — an engineering feat that so amazed its era the nickname stuck. It survived the war's demolitions at the last moment, thanks to two men who cut the detonator wires, and it still carries trams and cars today. Its visitor value lies on its banks: it joins the elegant villa quarters of Loschwitz and Blasewitz, from whose slope two historic hill railways climb — a suspension railway of 1901 and a funicular of 1895 — to lookouts over city and valley. The whole area makes a calm half-day away from the crowds: coffee on Schillerplatz, the bridge on foot, a ride up, and a walk on the green riverbank.
Blue steel leaping the river with no pier — the engineering wonder of 1893.
The world's oldest suspension railway and its funicular neighbour — a historic ride to the views.
Loschwitz and Blasewitz with their villas and mini-palaces — Dresden's quiet elegance.
Schillerplatz, 01309 Dresden
The Leonhardi MuseumThe Leonhardi Museum is a strange building in the Loschwitz district on the bank6 minutes walk4.6
Technische Sammlungen DresdenThe city's technology museum lives in the old Ernemann camera works out in Strie19 minutes walk4.6
Albrechtsberg PalaceAlbrechtsberg is one of three palaces standing on the slope above the Elbe east 21 minutes walk4.8Because this is the Dresden its people live: after a day or two of crowded baroque, this river corner with its railways and cafés shows you a real, lovely city. On less than two days, stay central.
The suspension one is stranger — the world's oldest of its kind, villas below your feet — with the higher lookout. The funicular is older and more classic. Up top, close with coffee at the view restaurant, then walk down among the villas.
The hanging railway enchants them, the bridge has safe walkways, and the bank is play-lawn. Make it an afternoon: ride up, lookout, walk down, ice cream on Schillerplatz.