It was from the state capital Dresden, in February 1990, 45 years after the destruction of the city, that a “Call for Dresden” went around the world, awakening an exemplary wave of charity and generosity aimed at the reconstruction of the Frauenkirche, the Church of Our Lady. Now, on October 30, 2005, Dresden’s Frauenkirche, the most important Protestant church of the Baroque period, will be reconsecrated – as a centre of congregation, remembrance and reconciliation as well as an architectural masterpiece.

However, not only the Saxon Baroque of the former royal capital is worth a visit, but also Meissen, with its porcelain factory, Bautzen and Görlitz, a candidate to become European Cultural Capital in 2010. Mention must also be made of Oberlausitzer Bergland, Saxon Burgenland and the bizarre rock formations of the Elbsandsteingebirge.

This natural paradise of romantic beauty can be discovered on walking or climbing tours or admired from the Elbe, from a boat belonging, as you perhaps anticipated, to the world’s oldest paddle steamer fleet.

The Elbe Valley near Dresden, where such a journey begins, and Muskauer Park on the Saxon-Polish border were recently listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. The city architecture, the museums and the predominantly natural Elbe river landscape with its palaces, villas and old village centres form a unique ensemble.

And not least, the Elbe Valley with its favourable climate is considered one of the most northern wine-growing regions in Europe. Anyone who appreciates the wine from the Saale-Unstrut region certainly cannot help but correct the recent fallacy about another drink from the region: although the advertising might seem to suggest otherwise, Saxony’s most famous beer, Radeberger, is not brewed at the magnificent Saxon State Opera House, but in the small town of that name – yes, Saxons also rather enjoy telling tall stories.