I can’t literally tell you “everything,” but here is a comprehensive, organized overview of the most important and notable things to know about Dresden — history, geography, culture, economy, institutions, landmarks, events, and practical facts. Tell me if you want more detail on any section.

Quick facts
- Location: Capital of the Free State of Saxony (Freistaat Sachsen), eastern Germany, on both banks of the Elbe River.
- Population: Roughly 550–570 thousand (city proper; metro larger).
- Nickname: Elbflorenz (“Florence on the Elbe”), from its rich art and baroque architecture.
- Climate: Temperate seasonal climate (warm summers, cold winters); spring/fall often pleasant; flood risk on the Elbe during extreme rains.

Brief history (high-level timeline)
- Medieval origins: First documented mention in 1206; developed from Slavic/Czech and German settlement patterns along the Elbe.
- Residence city: Became a royal/residential city of the Wettin dynasty and Electors of Saxony; major cultural/political center from the Renaissance through the 18th century.
- Baroque/Rococo peak: Under rulers like Augustus the Strong (late 17th–early 18th centuries) Dresden was transformed into a capital of courtly grandeur, art collecting and architecture (Zwinger, palaces, churches).
- 19th century: Continued cultural importance (opera, painting, music), industrialization and railway development.
- World War II: The city center suffered massive destruction in the Allied air raids of 13–15 February 1945; the fires and collapse of large areas killed many people and destroyed much of the historic core. Casualty estimates have been debated; the bombing profoundly shaped Dresden’s postwar memory and reconstruction.
- GDR period (1949–1990): Rebuilding took place under East German authorities; many ruins cleared or rebuilt in simplified forms; some historic structures left as ruins (e.g., Frauenkirche remained a ruin for decades).
- Reunification and reconstruction: After 1990, large-scale reconstruction and restoration projects (including the painstaking rebuild of the Frauenkirche, completed 2005) restored much of the historic centre and boosted tourism and cultural life.
- 21st century: Recovery and growth with strengths in research, semiconductors/optics (“Silicon Saxony”), higher education and tourism. Also site of contemporary political debates and movements (e.g., PEGIDA protests beginning 2014).

Geography and urban layout
- Built on a bend of the Elbe with hills and terraces to the north and south.
- Historic centre is on the north bank (Neustadt across on the opposite bank forms a lively cultural/creative district).
- Surroundings: Close to the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) to the south and to the Czech border; scenic river valley and parks.

Major landmarks and cultural sites
- Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady): Lutheran church in the Neumarkt; rebuilt after reunification and reconsecrated in 2005; powerful symbol of reconciliation.
- Zwinger Palace: Masterpiece of Baroque architecture with courtyards, galleries and museums (porcelain, sculpture, old masters).
- Semperoper: Famous opera house (home of the Staatskapelle Dresden), rebuilt several times and renowned for acoustics and repertory.
- Dresden Castle (Residenzschloss): Former royal residence housing the State Art Collections, including the Green Vault (treasure chamber) and many museums.
- Brühl’s Terrace: “Balcony of Europe” along the Elbe with views and statuary.
- Procession of Princes (Fürstenzug): Large porcelain-tile mural showing Saxon rulers.
- Albertinum: Museum for 19th–21st century art (New Masters Gallery, sculpture collection).
- Pillnitz Palace & Park: Riverside complex and garden east of the city with Chinese-influenced architecture.
- Military History Museum (Dresden): Known for its modern extension and critical approach to military history.

Museums and art
- Dresden State Art Collections (Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden) is one of Europe’s pre-eminent museum complexes, including:
  - Green Vault (Grünes Gewölbe): One of Europe’s richest treasure houses.
  - Old Masters Picture Gallery (Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister): Works such as Raphael’s Sistine Madonna.
  - Porcelain Collection and others.
- Important modern/19th century art in the Albertinum; many collections were dispersed or confiscated in history but major collections remain.

Music and performing arts
- Long musical tradition: composers and conductors associated with Dresden include Richard Wagner (worked in the city), Carl Maria von Weber, and famous conductors like Kurt Masur (former chief of the Gewandhaus? — actually conductor of the New York Philharmonic later; he revitalized the Leipzig and Dresden scenes).
- Staatskapelle Dresden: One of the world’s oldest orchestras, resident at the Semperoper.
- Dresden Music Festival and other cultural events through the year.

Universities and research
- TU Dresden (Technische Universität Dresden): One of Germany’s largest technical universities and a member of the TU9 group; strong in engineering, semiconductor research, materials science and biotechnology.
- Other institutions: University of Fine Arts (Hochschule für Bildende Künste), University of Music Carl Maria von Weber, and several technical and applied research institutes.
- Research clusters: “Silicon Saxony” — a major microelectronics/semiconductor cluster with fabs, suppliers, and research institutions (Fraunhofer, Helmholtz and Max Planck institutes and others have a presence in the region).

Economy and industry
- Historically court, arts and crafts; industrialized in 19th–20th centuries.
- Today strong in microelectronics, semiconductors, optics, photonics, renewable energy research, chemicals, automotive suppliers, IT and biotechnology.
- Tourism is a major economic driver, with millions of visitors annually coming for museums, concerts and historic architecture.

Events and festivals
- Striezelmarkt: One of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets (dating back to the 15th century).
- Dresden Music Festival, Dixieland Festival (jazz), various art fairs and cultural festivals year-round.

Transport and accessibility
- Dresden Hauptbahnhof: Major rail hub with ICE and regional services; good links to Berlin, Prague and Leipzig.
- Dresden Airport (DRS): Regional and European connections.
- Good tram and bus network within the city; riverboat traffic on the Elbe in season.
- Motorways: A4 (east-west), A17 south toward Prague; good road links to surrounding regions.

Demographics and society
- Diverse urban population with a large student community.
- Demographic trends: typical European urban patterns — aging population but also an influx of students and professionals post-reunification.
- Politics: Dresden is the state capital and seat of Saxony’s government; municipal and state politics reflect regional dynamics. The city has been both a center for progressive cultural life and, in recent years, the origin of some anti-immigrant protest movements (e.g., PEGIDA).

Recent events that shaped the city
- WWII destruction (Feb 1945) and subsequent decades of rebuilding.
- Reunification-driven restoration of historical monuments, revival of cultural institutions.
- 2002 Elbe floods: Severe damage that led to investments in flood defenses and recovery planning.
- Contemporary debates around migration, memory, and urban development.

Cuisine and local specialties
- Saxon and Upper-Saxon cuisine: hearty Central European dishes.
- Local specialties: Eierschecke (layered cake from Saxony), Dresdner Stollen (fruit bread associated with the Striezelmarkt/Christmas), Saxon sausages and river-fish dishes.

Sports
- Dynamo Dresden: Historic football club with a passionate fan base.
- Other local sports clubs and recreational activities (rowing on the Elbe, cycling along river paths).

Notable people associated with Dresden
- Augustus the Strong (Elector/King) — major patron of art and architecture.
- Gottfried Semper — architect (Semperoper).
- Bernardo Bellotto (called Canaletto in Germany) — painter of Dresden vedute.
- Richard Wagner and Carl Maria von Weber — composers associated with the city.
- Kurt Masur — conductor who led the city’s orchestra and became a symbol of cultural life.

Practical info for visitors
- Best times: late spring to early autumn for mild weather; December for Christmas market.
- Many museums close one weekday (often Monday) — check before planning.
- Walking and using trams are convenient for most attractions; wear good shoes if you plan to explore hills and terraces.
- Buy tickets/reservations ahead for popular concerts (Semperoper) and for guided tours of major museums.

Issues and controversies
- Wartime memory: The 1945 bombing remains a sensitive and politicized subject, with debates about civilian casualties, military necessity and memorialization.
- Urban development: balancing modernization and business growth with historic preservation.
- Political tensions: rise of anti-immigrant protests in the 2010s brought significant national attention to the city.

Further reading and resources
- If you want primary sources, look at:
  - Official city website (for government, visitor info)
  - Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (for museum collections)
  - TU Dresden (for research and education)
  - Scholarly works and histories on Dresden’s baroque period, WWII and reconstruction.

If you’d like:
- A focused deep dive (e.g., detailed history timeline, museum-by-museum guide, architecture and restorations, the bombing of 1945, or the “Silicon Saxony” tech cluster).
- Practical travel advice (itineraries for 1–3 days, best museums, restaurants).
- Maps, suggested routes, or a list of further readings. Which would you like next?
