Dresden - the magnificent panorama across Elbe

An AirMail cover with a beautiful stamp showing the city of Dresden during a sunset ! 

The stamp was issued in 2014 - Tourism : Beautiful German city panoramas 

Dresden is the capital city and, after Leipzig, the second-largest city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the border with the Czech Republic.

Dresden has a long history as the capital and royal residence for the Electors and Kings of Saxony, who for centuries furnished the city with cultural and artistic splendor, and was once by personal union the family seat of Polish monarchs. The city was known as the Jewel Box, because of its baroque and rococo city centre. The controversial American and British bombing of Dresden in World War II towards the end of the war killed approximately 25,000 people, many of whom were civilians, and destroyed the entire city centre.

The stamp depicts the panorama of the Dresden Old Town ( Alstadt ) 

Frauenkirche Church 

Since October, 30th 2005 the steeple of the Frauenkirche overtops the Dresden skyline again. The reconstruction of the Frauenkirche is an impressive symbol of international reconciliation after World War II. The consecration attracted attention throughout the world. Millions of people have already visited the Frauenkirche.
The sacred building was erected between 1726 and 1743, following the designs of George Bähr. Its characteristic dome, called the "stone bell" owing to its shape, collapsed on February 15th, 1945 under the rain of bombs. An anti-war monument during the GDR period, the rebuilding is finished now.
The Frauenkirche is a symbol of conciliation, largely with donations from German and international foundations. The Neumarkt quarter around the church is also to regain its status as the historical heart of the city.

Sempera Opera House 

Dresden’s Semper Opera House is the most famous opera house in Germany; it houses the Saxon State Orchestra, one of the world’s oldest and best-known orchestras. Built by Gottfried Semper between 1838 and 1841, the Semper Opera House was closed in August 1944 and was destroyed six months later by the Allied air attacks.

Zwinger Palace 

Built 1710-28 by the architect Pöppelmann in cooperation with the sculptor Permoser. Originally designed as an orangery and a setting for court festivities, it was later used for exhibitions. Most perfect example of Late Baroque architecture in Germany. Construction of the Semper Gallery 1847-55.

In the Zwinger Palace are located the Old Masters Picture Gallery, the Porcelain Collection and the Museum of Mathematics and Physics.

Royal Palace 

Dresden’s Royal Palace was once the hub of power for the Saxon princes and kings. First mentioned in the 14th century as a castle complex, the four-wing palace structure was developed in the 15th century. After it was destroyed by fire in 1701, the palace was reconstructed under Augustus the Strong.
After air attacks during the last few months of the Second World War, the palace – with its approximately 500 halls and rooms – once again burned down to its foundations. Most of the valuable interior furnishings were lost.

In 1985, reconstruction began on the palace to create a museum complex for the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (Dresden State Art Collections). The first museum to move into the Royal Palace was the Kupferstich-Kabinett (Collection of Prints, Drawings and Photographs); it has been displaying its treasures there since April 2004. The New Green Vault was opened in September 2004. Since September 2006, the Historic Green Vault can once again be admired in its original rooms. Today, the exterior of the Royal Palace is decorated in Neorenaissance style, while the large courtyard of the palace displays Renaissance-style sgraffito paintings. The Hausmann Tower overlooks the whole ensemble, offering a wonderful view of the Old Town.
Starting in 2010, after five years of construction, the English Stairway in the Dresden Royal Palace is once again accessible. The Baroque stairway was reconstructed at a cost of four million euros, following its original historic pattern. In the future, it will serve as the main entrance for the museums of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen. The Türckische Cammer (Turkish Chamber) was also opened in March 2010, containing countless small treasures that were not open to the public for more than seventy years. The renovation of the Palace is completed since 2013.

The Cathedral 

The cathedral is Dresden’s youngest Baroque building. With a floor plan measuring nearly 4,800 square meters, it is also the largest church in Saxony. The crypt of the Catholic "Sanctissimae Trinitatis" cathedral, on Schloßplatz, contains 49 sarcophagi of the Wettin princes and kings as well as their relatives. It is also the resting place of the heart of Augustus the Strong. 
The balustrades and niches of the Chathedral are adorned with 78 stone figures. Measuring 3 ½ meters in height, they were created by Lorenzo Mattielli and represent the Apostles, saints and church dignitaries. The Cathedral was constructed in the Baroque style between 1739 and 1755, by Italian architect Gaetano Chiaveri. The restaurant across the street, "Italienisches Dörfchen" (Italian Village), is a reminder of the Italian artisans who helped build the church. In Protestant Saxony, plans for the construction of the church had to be kept strictly confidential. 

Brühl’s Terrace 

Albertinum 

With its renovation, the Albertinum on Brühl's Terrace has come up with an innovation showing that Dresden’s museum architecture has arrived in the 21st century: a two-story steel structure resembling a floating bridge spans the inner courtyard of the museum, which was originally built in 1884/87. 17 meters above the ground, the structure now houses flood-safe storage areas and workshops. This preserves the courtyard of the four-wing building while creating a new covered space.

Augustus Bridge 

The Augustus Bridge is a bridge in the city of Dresden, in the state Saxony in Germany. It was built between 1907 and 1910. Crossing the river Elbe, the road bridge connects the Innere Neustadt in the north (right bank) with the historic area of the city in the south (left bank). There has been a bridge at the same location since at least the 12th century. Under king Augustus II the Strong of Poland and Saxony, a new sandstone bridge was built between 1727 and 1731. This bridge was replaced by the present, also sandstone, bridge with 9 arches in order to provide a wider opening for river traffic. It was designed by Wilhelm Kreis and Theodor Klette. Three tram lines of the Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe pass over the Augustus Bridge.

A beautiful panorama showing all these architecture on the stamp ! 

Will update when I find more about the cancellation !!