Waldschlösschenviertel

Did you know that the Waldschlösschenviertel’s fame rests partly on a spectacular view? Right here, where we stand, lies a district steeped in history. The Waldschlösschenviertel, nestled in Dresden’s Radeberger Vorstadt, extends east of the Preußisches Viertel. It stretches between Bautzner Straße and Radeberger Straße. Its namesake, the Waldschlösschen, a former hunting lodge built in 1800, whispers tales of the past. The Waldschlösschenviertel is renowned for the Südterrasse. This terrace belongs to the Brauhaus am Waldschlösschen restaurant. From this vantage point, a panoramic vista unfolds. The view encompasses the Elbe River and sweeps all the way to Dresden’s historic city center. This area holds a special significance. It’s part of the buffer zone of the former World Heritage Site, the Dresden Elbe Valley. The Waldschlösschenwiese itself lies within the core zone. Interestingly, while the “Brauhaus” and many other establishments adhere to the modern spelling of “Waldschlösschen,” the street name retains the older spelling “Waldschlößchen.” This older spelling, from before the 1996 spelling reform, also frequently appears in the name of the nearby Elbe bridge. This bridge’s name became entangled in a years-long controversy surrounding its construction. The Waldschlösschen itself, located at Radeberger Straße 60, has its own intriguing story. Built between 1800 and 1803, this neo-Gothic hunting lodge was commissioned by Italian Count Camillo Marcolini. Marcolini, the chamberlain of Elector Friedrich August III, designed it as a gift for his wife, Maria Anna O’Kelly. The lodge later transformed into a tavern in 1829, then a residential building, and eventually fell into disrepair. After standing empty for years and failing to attract buyers in 2008, it was finally sold in 2009 for 214,000 euros. Today, the restored Waldschlösschen forms part of a private clinic. The Waldschlösschenviertel’s story also includes a brewery. In 1836, the Aktienverein der Societätsbrauerei zu Dresden acquired land in the area. They established a large brewery, which opened its doors in 1838. The Waldschlößchen beer gained such renown that it was exported not only to Berlin and Leipzig but even as far as Brazil. The brewery’s attached restaurant and beer garden became a major attraction in Dresden. In the GDR era, the brewery continued operations until the early 1980s, then switched to producing non-alcoholic beverages before closing entirely during the reunification period. In 1997, it reopened as a brewpub following renovations. The allure of the Waldschlösschenviertel also lies in its breathtaking views, especially from the Brauhaus terrace. The Waldschlösschenblick, along with the Canaletto view, ranks among Dresden’s most celebrated panoramas. The view encompasses the widening Elbe Valley, the river’s curve, and the distant panorama of Dresden’s old town. The view has been cherished for centuries, although the original viewpoint was obscured by the brewery’s construction. The vista we appreciate today comes from the Brauhaus terrace and a pavilion built in 1936, offering continued access to this treasured panorama. The Waldschlösschenviertel truly offers a blend of history, scenic beauty, and a touch of controversy.