How long does it take to walk the Jewish heritage route in Dresden?

The walk typically takes between 90 and 120 minutes. This includes time to walk the approximately 3-kilometer distance and spend 15-30 minutes at key sites like the Old Jewish Cemetery and the New Synagogue.

Is the Old Jewish Cemetery in Dresden worth visiting?

Yes, it is highly recommended as it is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Saxony. Its survival through the 1945 firestorm and its atmospheric, ivy-covered headstones offer a unique and peaceful perspective on Dresden's history.

Are there any fees for this self-guided walk?

Most sites on this route are free to view from the exterior. The Old Jewish Cemetery is free but often appreciates a small donation for maintenance, and men are typically asked to wear a head covering (provided at the entrance).

Can I see the inside of the New Synagogue?

Interior access to the New Synagogue is generally restricted to religious services or pre-booked group tours. However, the exterior architecture is highly symbolic and well worth visiting on a self-guided stroll.

Is this walking route suitable for seniors?

Yes, the route is mostly flat and covers central areas with plenty of places to sit. The walk across the Augustus Bridge offers great views and is an easy, paved path.

What are Stolpersteine?

Stolpersteine, or 'stumbling stones,' are small brass-capped bricks set into the pavement. Each one commemorates a victim of the Holocaust at their last known place of residence or work, and you will see several during this walk.

What is the best time of day for this walk?

Morning is best, specifically between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. This ensures the Old Jewish Cemetery is open (it closes early on Fridays and is closed on Saturdays) and provides the best lighting for the memorials.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Beyond the Baroque splendor of the Zwinger and the Frauenkirche lies a deeper, more poignant narrative of Dresden. This self-guided walk invites you to explore the Jewish heritage of the city, tracing a path from the reconstructed heart of the Altstadt to the quiet, ivy-clad stones of the oldest Jewish cemetery in Saxony. By choosing a walking route focused on remembrance, you will discover how a community flourished, suffered, and eventually rebuilt itself in the 'Florence on the Elbe.' This neighborhood stroll begins at the Neumarkt, where the meticulously restored facades hide stories of the Jewish merchants who once shaped the city's commerce. As you move toward the banks of the Elbe, the architecture shifts from the historicist past to the striking, symbolic presence of the New Synagogue. This audio walk provides the context necessary to understand the site of the former Semper Synagogue, destroyed during the 1938 pogroms, and the modern resilience represented by the current community center. This walking tour Dresden provides is not just about the past; it is a meditation on how a modern city reconciles with its darkest chapters. You will cross the river to visit the Alter Jüdischer Friedhof, a place of profound peace that survived the firestorm of 1945. The journey concludes at the memorial for the Jacobikirche, linking the destruction of the city's religious architecture with the wider human cost of the mid-20th century. For those seeking a deeper connection to the city's social fabric, this travel experience offers a quiet alternative to the crowded tourist hubs, focusing instead on the 'Stolpersteine' (stumbling stones) and hidden memorials that dot the pavement. Explore independently and at your own pace as you uncover a story of cultural brilliance, tragic loss, and modern renewal.

Highlights

The symbolic architecture of the New Synagogue (Neue Synagoge)

The Alter Jüdischer Friedhof, the oldest Jewish cemetery in Saxony

Stolpersteine memorials honoring individual victims of the Holocaust

The historic Neumarkt and its connection to Jewish merchant history

The Jacobikirche memorial at Wettinplatz

Views of the Elbe river from the site of the former Semper Synagogue

Tour Stops (5)

Neumarkt

Start your self-guided adventure in the heart of Dresden at the Neumarkt. While today this square is famous for the reconstructed Frauenkirche, it was once a bustling hub for Jewish life and commerce. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Jewish merchants and bankers operated from the grand houses surrounding this square. As you look at the cobblestones, keep an eye out for Stolpersteine—small brass plaques that commemorate the last known residences of victims of National Socialism. These 'stumbling stones' serve as a decentralized memorial, grounding the grand history of the square in personal, human stories of the families who were once part of this neighborhood's fabric.

Hasenberg

Walking toward the Elbe, you reach the Hasenberg area. This site holds immense historical weight. It was here that Gottfried Semper, the architect of the famous Opera House, built a magnificent Moorish-style synagogue in 1840. For nearly a century, it was the center of Jewish worship in Dresden until it was burned to the ground during the November Pogroms of 1938. Today, a simple memorial stands here, marking the footprint of the lost sanctuary. Take a moment to reflect on the contrast between the historicist architecture of the surrounding buildings and the void left by the destruction of the original synagogue.

New Synagogue (Neue Synagoge)

Directly adjacent to the site of the old synagogue stands the New Synagogue, completed in 2001. Its architecture is intentionally provocative and symbolic. Notice the twisted, windowless stone cubes that lean toward the east—toward Jerusalem. The rough-hewn stone exterior is meant to evoke the Wailing Wall, while the interior 'tent' structure recalls the tabernacle of the desert wanderings. This building is a powerful statement of the community's return to the city center. It serves not just as a place of worship, but as a community center for the Jewish people of Dresden today, bridging the gap between a painful past and a living future.

Alter Jüdischer Friedhof (Old Jewish Cemetery)

A short journey across the Augustus Bridge brings you to the Alter Jüdischer Friedhof on Pulsnitzer Straße. Established in 1751, this is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Saxony. It is a place of profound stillness. Unlike Christian cemeteries of the time, Jewish graves are never disturbed, meaning the headstones here—some leaning with age and covered in ivy—date back centuries. Many of the inscriptions are in Hebrew, marking the lives of those who lived in Dresden long before the 20th century. The fact that this cemetery survived the 1945 bombings makes it a rare and sacred witness to the long-standing Jewish presence in the city.

Gedenkstätte Jacobikirche (Wettinplatz)

The final stop on this walking route is the memorial at Wettinplatz, marking the site of the former Jacobikirche. While not a Jewish site itself, this memorial is essential for understanding Dresden's landscape of remembrance. The church was destroyed during the February 1945 air raids, and its remains were later cleared by the GDR government. Today, the steel frames trace the outline of the lost church, serving as a 'memorial to the destroyed city.' It provides a broader context to the Jewish experience, illustrating how the entire city became a site of memory, where layers of loss—both from the Holocaust and the subsequent war—intersect.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Jewish Heritage and Remembrance route is excellent for history enthusiasts. It covers over 250 years of history, from the 1751 Old Jewish Cemetery to the modern 2001 New Synagogue, providing a deep dive into the city's social evolution.