Schloßstraße

Schloßstraße forms a historic north-south axis in Dresden's Old Town, running from Wilsdruffer Straße to the Georgentor. Originally known as Elbgasse, it was called Schloßgasse from the 16th century on and was renamed to its current name in 1858. Before industrialization, it served, together with Wilsdruffer Straße, as the city's most important thoroughfare. The Dresden chronicler Johann Christoph Hasche described it in the late 18th century as one of the widest and liveliest streets in the city. During the Dresden May Uprising, the street served as the insurgents' military headquarters, which is commemorated today by a bronze plaque at number seven.

In World War II, the street and its buildings were destroyed in the air raids on Dresden. Reconstruction began in the 1950s, and around 2010 the rebuilding of the buildings on the east side continued as part of the Neumarkt quarter project. This also brought back historic side streets such as Sporergasse, Rosmaringasse, and Kanzleigäßchen. These alleys often have interesting name origins, such as the craftsmen who lived there or historical events. Schössergasse, for example, was once home to Dresden's Jewish residents before it was named after a Amtsschösser, a local tax official.

Today, the southern part of the street is dominated by the Kulturpalast on the east side, while residential and commercial buildings line the west side. The northern section is surrounded by the buildings of the Residenzschloss. The historic sights once included hotels steeped in tradition, such as the Hôtel de Pologne, where the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin stayed during a visit to Dresden. Today a portrait relief on the facade of number five commemorates this event.