Semper Opera House (Semperoper)
Theaterplatz 2, Dresden, 01067
Built between 1838 and 1841, this historic opera house in central Dresden is known across Germany for its beautiful architecture. It's also the home of the celebrated Saxon State Orchestra and the Saxon State Opera. Although the opera house was destroyed in World War II, it has since been rebuilt to its original glory.
The basics
Today, the Semper Opera House hosts concerts, ballet performances, and world-famous operas such as La Bohème and The Magic Flute; individual tickets and packages are available for purchase. If your schedule does not allow time for a show, you can still see the interior through a guided tour, during which you’ll be able to learn a bit more about the opera house’s acoustics and take a peek inside some of its ornately decorated rooms. Many walking tours of Dresden include a stop at the Ssemper Opera House. If you aren't staying in Dresden, there are plenty of day tours departing from Prague and Berlin.
Things to know before you go
The Semper Opera House isn’t just for music fans—it’s also an incredible place to visit if you love ornate architecture.
Wheelchair-accessible entrances are available on both sides of the building. There’s also a ramp to the box office and an elevator inside.
Standing-room tickets for sold-out shows are sometimes available at the box office just before the performance.
How to get there
The Semper Opera House is located in the heart of Dresden’s Old Town (Altstadt), right in front of the Theaterplatz tram stop (lines 8 and 9) and only a few minutes walk from the Postplatz stop (line 11). If you're coming by car, you can park in the underground parking lot just off Devrientstraße, a couple of minutes walk away.
When to get there
The Semper Opera House is open Monday through Saturday throughout the year, but it closes early on Saturdays between January and early March. It's also closed on public holidays. If you'd like to attend an event, note that the box office opens an hour before most regular shows and 30 minutes before premiere teasers.
Dresden Frauenkirche church
Another one of Dresden's architectural gems, this Lutheran church suffered pretty severe damage during WWII and stayed in ruins until after West and East Germany reunited. Renovations took place from 1994 until 2005, bringing the baroque-style church back to life. Today, it serves as both a tourist destination and a church, with regular religious services and open hours.
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