Dresden
Germany Updated Oct 2026
At dusk, the Elbe throws pale light onto Dresden’s Baroque riverfront, while across the water the courtyards of Neustadt fill with café chatter and the clink of glasses. Dresden, Germany, can seem like a city restored to a single grand image; a few streets away, it has a very different pulse. The contrast is part of what makes it worth staying for.
Photo: Levent Simsek / Pexels
- Attractions
- 12
- Audio
- 4 h 44 min
- Trip length
- 2–3 days
- Best season
- Late spring to early autumn; Advent for the Striezelmarkt
Why Dresden
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The rebuilt center carries its history in plain sight. After the February 1945 bombing, the Frauenkirche stood as a ruin and memorial through the GDR decades; its reconstruction, completed in 2005 with surviving stones worked into the new masonry, left dark patches against lighter stone.
Dresden’s royal collections are woven into the city rather than tucked away at its edges. At the Zwinger, Baroque courtyards lead to galleries holding Raphael’s Sistine Madonna, while the Royal Palace’s Green Vault displays the jeweled excess of Saxon court life.
The Elbe keeps the city from feeling like a museum: riverside meadows lead toward villa-lined districts, the Blue Wonder bridge and the hillside railways of Loschwitz. The valley gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 2004 and lost it in 2009 after the Waldschlösschen Bridge dispute—a reminder that Dresden is still a living city, making choices about what it wants to preserve.
A Baroque city rebuilt in stone
The Frauenkirche’s pale galleries rise above Neumarkt, but its dark stones tell another story: the church was left as a ruin after the February 1945 bombing and rebuilt in 2005. Look closely and you’ll see original stones set among newer ones.Art behind the palace façades
At the Zwinger, Pöppelmann’s open courtyards and sculpted pavilions lead to the Old Masters Gallery, where Raphael’s Sistine Madonna hangs in the Semperbau. The nearby Royal Palace holds the Green Vault’s glittering Baroque treasures; book ahead for timed entry to the Historic Green Vault.The Elbe as a city street
From Brühl’s Terrace, the river frames Dresden’s rooftops; farther east, the Blue Wonder bridge and Loschwitz hillside railways show how the city learned to cross and climb its valley. Take the suspension railway or funicular uphill for a view that makes the river feel like the city’s central avenue.Neustadt after dark
Across the Elbe, Äußere Neustadt trades palace stone for Gründerzeit façades, independent bars and late-night kitchens around Alaunstraße and Louisenstraße. The Kunsthofpassage’s blue Courtyard of the Elements turns rain into sound, as water runs through its musical funnels.
Places to Visit
Not every monument, just the ones we'd walk you past ourselves.
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Church of Our Lady The Frauenkirche, or Church of Our Lady, situated in the historic town of Pirna, Germany, stands as a testament to centuries of architectural splendor,…
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Dresden Cathedral Dresden Cathedral, also known as the Katholische Hofkirche or Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, stands as one of Dresden's most iconic and historically rich…
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Zwinger The Zwinger in Pirna, Germany, stands as a remarkable testament to Renaissance military architecture and the rich history of the region.
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Pillnitz Castle Nestled on the picturesque banks of the Elbe River just east of Dresden, Pillnitz Castle stands as a captivating testament to Saxony’s rich cultural heritage…
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German Hygiene Museum The German Hygiene Museum in Dresden stands as a fascinating cultural landmark that intricately blends science, history, architecture, and interactive…
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Dresden City Museum Nestled in the heart of Dresden's historic center, the Dresden City Museum (Stadtmuseum Dresden) serves as a vital gateway into the city's rich and…
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Fürstenzug Nestled in the heart of Pirna, Germany, the Langer Gang stands as a remarkable testament to the grandeur and opulence of the Renaissance period.
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Dresden Museum of Ethnology The Dresden Museum of Ethnology, known as Museum für Völkerkunde Dresden, stands as a premier cultural institution nestled within the historic setting of…
- Dresden Transport Museum Nestled in the historic heart of Dresden, the Dresden Transport Museum (Verkehrsmuseum Dresden) offers an immersive journey through the multifaceted history…
Neighborhoods
Where to wander, by quarter — each with its own rhythm.
Innere Altstadt
The historic center gathers the Frauenkirche, Neumarkt, the Royal Palace and the Zwinger into a walkable circuit of stone façades and grand squares. Pause at the Fürstenzug, a 102-meter procession of Saxon rulers rendered in Meissen porcelain tiles.Äußere Neustadt
Around Alaunstraße, Louisenstraße and Görlitzer Straße, late-19th-century apartment blocks hold independent cafés, bars, street art and late-night kitchens. The Kunsthofpassage links themed courtyards; in the Courtyard of the Elements, rain running through the façade’s pipes makes music.Innere Neustadt and Barockviertel
Across the Elbe from the old center, this district trades Altstadt spectacle for measured Baroque streets and quieter courtyards. Königstraße is the place to browse antique shops and look closely at the carefully restored façades.Hechtviertel
Just north of the Neustadt railway line, Hechtviertel feels more residential, with neighborhood pubs, independent cafés and informal places to eat. Try its alternative food spots, including Der Dicke Schmidt, known for seitan döner.Blasewitz
Leafy streets and grand villas meet the Elbe around Schillerplatz and the Blue Wonder bridge. Café Toscana, open since 1901, gives the district a lingering coffeehouse tradition and a good excuse to stay for cake.Loschwitz
On the Elbe’s hilly eastern bank, Loschwitz is best explored slowly, with a ride on the historic funicular or suspension railway for broad views over the river valley. The Blue Wonder connects it to Blasewitz, but the hillside paths make the two districts feel distinct.Pillnitz
Pillnitz sits east of the center, where the river meets a summer-palace complex of Chinoiserie pavilions and botanical grounds. Its broad park paths and riverside setting make a striking change of scale from the dense Baroque core.
Plan your trip
Before you go
- Getting There
- Dresden Airport (DRS) lies about 9 km north of the centre; S-Bahn S2 runs from the terminal station to Dresden Hauptbahnhof in about 21 minutes, usually every 30 minutes. Leipzig/Halle (LEJ), Berlin Brandenburg (BER) and Prague Václav Havel (PRG) are alternatives, with onward rail connections from their city stations. Dresden’s main rail hubs are Dresden Hauptbahnhof and Dresden-Neustadt; drivers arrive via the A4, A13 or A17.
- Getting Around
- Dresden has no U-Bahn: DVB runs 12 tram lines and an extensive bus network, while S-Bahn lines connect the airport and regional destinations; three Elbe passenger ferries and the Loschwitz funicular and suspension railway add scenic links. MOBIbike and the flat Elberadweg make cycling practical, and the compact Altstadt is easy to cover on foot. In 2026, a Dresden-zone day ticket costs €9.50 and runs until 04:00 the next morning; the Deutschlandticket covers local transit and regional trains, while Dresden City Cards bundle local transport with attraction discounts.
- Climate & Best Time
- Typical daytime highs run about 8–19°C in spring, 22–25°C in summer, 8–19°C in autumn and 3–5°C in winter, with winter nights often below freezing. Dresden averages roughly 635 mm of rain a year; May through August are wetter, with summer thunderstorms possible. May to September is peak outdoor season, while January and February are quieter; late November and December draw Christmas-market crowds, so May, June or September offer a good balance.
- Language & Currency
- German is the official language, and standard High German is used in shops and services; English is common at major museums, hotels and visitor desks. The currency is the euro; carry some cash for small bakeries, snack stands and traditional beer gardens, and tell restaurant staff the total you wish to pay when tipping.
- Safety
- Use normal city precautions around crowded markets and transit: keep valuables close at the Striezelmarkt and near the Frauenkirche, and stay alert around Wiener Platz and the Hauptbahnhof late at night. Weekend crowds in Äußere Neustadt can get rowdy around Görlitzer and Louisenstraße; political marches sometimes affect Altmarkt and Neumarkt, so give police barriers a wide berth.
03 Top tickets in Dresden.
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Dresden: Courtly Splendor, Ruin, and Return
From Sorbian river settlement to a city repeatedly remade
- c. 1400 BCE
Elbe Valley's First Neighbors
Archaeological evidence places Bronze Age communities in the Elbe Valley around this time, long before Dresden appears in written records. The river’s crossings and fertile banks drew people here early; the city’s beginnings are older than its name.
- c. 900
Sorbian Settlements Take Root
West Slavic communities settled along the Elbe, laying down the roots of Dresden’s earliest known urban area. The name is usually traced to Old Sorbian Drežďany, often interpreted as “people of the forest” or “swamp-forest dwellers.”
- 1206
Dresden Enters the Record
A document settling a border dispute under Margrave Dietrich of Meissen contains the first confirmed written mention of Dresden: “Acta sunt hec dresdene.” The wording is spare, but it gives the city a firm foothold in the historical record.
- 1216
A Town Called Dresden
A document describes Dresden as a *civitas*, a town with a recognized civic standing. That small administrative word marks a change from settlement to a place with a growing public and commercial life.
- 1429
Hussite Forces Strike
During the Hussite Wars, raiders attacked Dresden and burned parts of its outer settlement. The assault exposed how vulnerable the town remained beyond its defenses, even as the fortified core endured.
- 1485
A Wettin Division Redraws Power
The Treaty of Leipzig divided Wettin lands between the brothers Ernst and Albrecht. Dresden became the seat of Albrecht’s Albertine line, setting the city on course to become Saxony’s political center.
Show the full timeline (30 moments)
- 1491
Fire Sweeps the Old City
A major fire destroyed roughly half of Dresden’s medieval core, including the parish church of St. Nicholas. Rebuilding changed the city block by block, leaving a deep mark on a town that had only recently risen in prominence.
- 1539
Reformation Reshapes Saxony
Duke Henry the Pious formally introduced the Protestant Reformation in Dresden and Ducal Saxony. In 1547, the Albertine ruler Maurice gained Saxony’s electoral title, raising Dresden from ducal seat to the capital of an elector’s state.
- 1697
Augustus Sets a Royal Course
Frederick Augustus I converted to Catholicism to secure election as King Augustus II of Poland, beginning the Saxon-Polish personal union. His court’s appetite for ceremony, collecting, and architecture would give Dresden its unmistakable Baroque character.
- 1709
The Zwinger Begins to Rise
Construction began on the Zwinger, designed by court architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann with sculptor Balthasar Permoser. Planned for court festivals and royal collections, its pale stone pavilions turned open courtyards into a stage for Saxon power.
- 1726
Bähr Designs a Stone Bell
Architect George Bähr began work on the Frauenkirche, whose great stone dome earned the name *Steinerne Glocke*, or “stone bell.” Completed in 1743, it gave Protestant Dresden a landmark whose broad silhouette would remain part of the city’s memory even after its destruction.
- 1756
Prussia Occupies Dresden
Frederick the Great invaded Saxony and occupied Dresden at the start of the Seven Years’ War. In 1760, Prussian artillery battered the city during a siege, destroying hundreds of homes and badly damaging the Kreuzkirche.
- 1798
Caspar David Friedrich Arrives
The painter Caspar David Friedrich settled in Dresden, where he would live and work for the rest of his life. The city’s studios and galleries formed his base, while the river valley beyond its streets fed the quiet, searching light of his Romantic art.
- 1806
Saxony Becomes a Kingdom
After aligning with Napoleon and the Holy Roman Empire’s collapse, Elector Frederick Augustus III became King Frederick Augustus I of Saxony. Dresden now stood at the center of a kingdom, though its fortunes remained tied to the shifting balance of European power.
- 1813
Napoleon Wins at Dresden
On August 26 and 27, Napoleon’s forces defeated the larger Allied Army of Bohemia on Dresden’s outskirts. Rain-soaked ground and the Elbe crossings shaped the fighting; the victory was Napoleon’s last major success on German soil.
- 1839
Railway Connects Dresden and Leipzig
The Leipzig–Dresden Railway opened as Germany’s first long-distance railway line. Steam and iron altered the pace of travel between the two Saxon cities and gave Dresden a new route for people, goods, and industry.
- 1842
Wagner Finds His Dresden Stage
Richard Wagner’s opera *Rienzi* premiered in Dresden, where he served as Royal Saxon Court Kapellmeister. He went on to bring *The Flying Dutchman* and *Tannhäuser* to the city’s stage before his part in the 1849 uprising forced him to flee.
- 1849
The May Uprising Is Crushed
From May 3 to 9, revolutionaries demanded constitutional reform and acceptance of the Frankfurt Constitution. Mikhail Bakunin took part, and Wagner joined the uprising; Saxon and Prussian troops put it down in street fighting that left the city under military control.
- 1871
Saxony Joins the German Empire
The Kingdom of Saxony became part of the newly unified German Empire. Dresden retained its royal court and regional importance, while rail links and industry tied the old capital more tightly to a larger national economy.
- 1905
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Founds Die Brücke
Art students in Dresden founded *Die Brücke*, an Expressionist group that included Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Fritz Bleyl, and Erich Heckel. They rejected polished academic convention for hard outlines and raw color, turning Dresden into a birthplace of modern German art.
- 1918
The Wettin Monarchy Ends
King Frederick Augustus III abdicated on November 13 during Germany’s revolution. After more than eight centuries of Wettin rule, Dresden became the capital of the Free State of Saxony within the new republic.
- February 13–15, 1945
Bombing Turns the Center to Ash
British and American air raids ignited a firestorm that destroyed much of Dresden’s historic center; official investigations later estimated 20,000 to 25,000 deaths. The Frauenkirche collapsed into a mound of blackened stone, and streets that had held homes, churches, and workshops became a field of rubble.
- 1952
Dresden Becomes a GDR District Capital
The East German state dissolved its Länder and reorganized the country into districts, making Dresden the administrative center of Bezirk Dresden. Reconstruction brought new housing and state buildings, while the Frauenkirche ruins were left standing as an anti-war memorial.
- October 3–8, 1989
Protesters Fill the Hauptbahnhof
Thousands gathered around Dresden’s main station as trains carrying East German refugees from Prague passed through on their way west. Clashes with police gave way to mass peaceful demonstrations, and on October 8 the civic dialogue group known as the Gruppe der 20 took shape.
- 1990
Dresden Returns as State Capital
German reunification restored the Free State of Saxony, with Dresden as its capital. The city entered a period of rebuilding and repair, facing the physical legacy of wartime destruction alongside the changes brought by the end of the GDR.
- August 17, 2002
The Elbe Flood Reaches Record Height
The Elbe crested at 9.40 meters, flooding the Hauptbahnhof and reaching into the Zwinger courtyards and Semperoper. The water left mud across the city center and caused more than €6 billion in damage across Saxony.
- 2004
The Elbe Valley Gains UNESCO Status
UNESCO inscribed the Dresden Elbe Valley as a World Heritage Site, recognizing the relationship between the city, river, gardens, and historic architecture. The listing would prove fragile: a bridge dispute soon set Dresden against the organization meant to protect that river view.
- October 30, 2005
The Frauenkirche Rises Again
The rebuilt Frauenkirche was consecrated after a reconstruction that began in 1994. Builders worked charred stones from the original ruin into the new sandstone walls, so the dark patches still visible on the church are part of its fabric, not decoration.
- 2009
UNESCO Removes the Valley Listing
UNESCO delisted the Dresden Elbe Valley after ruling that the Waldschlösschen Bridge project compromised the integrity of the historic river views. The dispute had a lasting physical result too: the four-lane bridge opened in 2013, changing a view once recognized as part of the world’s heritage.
- 2024
A New Chapter in Silicon Saxony
Construction began on ESMC’s semiconductor plant in Dresden, a joint venture led by Taiwan’s TSMC with Bosch, Infineon, and NXP. The project puts new factories and clean-room technology beside a city better known for palaces and ruined churches, extending Dresden’s long connection to precision industry.
Who lived here
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Author and poet · 1899–1974
Erich Kästner
Born and raised in Dresden
Kästner grew up in Dresden and later turned its streets into part of the imaginative world behind books such as Emil and the Detectives. The city still has his museum in Neustadt; he might like that children can meet the writer without first meeting a monument.
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Philologist and diarist · 1881–1960
Victor Klemperer
Professor in Dresden
Klemperer taught Romance languages in Dresden until the Nazi regime dismissed and persecuted him. His diaries record how political violence entered ordinary speech and daily life, a history that gives the city's rebuilt streets a sharper edge.
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Novelist · 1922–2007
Kurt Vonnegut
American prisoner of war in Dresden
As a POW, Vonnegut survived the February 1945 bombing in the underground cellar of a slaughterhouse; that experience later shaped Slaughterhouse-Five. A visitor seeing Dresden's restored center now encounters the place behind his book, not the city frozen inside it.
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Composer · 1813–1883
Richard Wagner
Raised and employed in Dresden
Wagner spent part of his youth in Dresden, later became Royal Saxon Court Kapellmeister and saw early works performed there. His involvement in the 1849 May Uprising forced him to flee; today the Semperoper stands as a reminder of the musical city he left behind.
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Composer and conductor · 1786–1826
Carl Maria von Weber
Dresden Court Theatre musical director
During his decade directing music in Dresden, Weber helped build the city's opera life and composed Der Freischütz. The work's dark forests feel a long way from the bright stone of the Altstadt, which is precisely why the connection stays with you.
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Composer · 1585–1672
Heinrich Schütz
Kapellmeister at the Saxon court in Dresden
Schütz spent much of his working life shaping music for Dresden's electoral court, bringing Italian musical ideas into German sacred and vocal works. The city's long relationship with serious music began centuries before the Semperoper's curtain rose.
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Expressionist painter and printmaker · 1884–1976
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
Co-founded Die Brücke in Dresden
While studying architecture in Dresden, Schmidt-Rottluff helped form Die Brücke in 1905 with fellow students, including Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. The group pushed against polished academic art; Dresden's museums now place that restless modernism within reach of the Baroque rooms it once challenged.
Where to Eat
Where locals actually book dinner — not the tourist menus.
Insider tips
Small things that change how the city treats you.
Walk The Old Town
The Frauenkirche, Fürstenzug, Semperoper and Zwinger sit close enough to link on foot. Save the tram for trips beyond the central sights.Check DVB Fares
Use DVB trams and buses for longer trips, and compare the current day-ticket price with single fares before buying. The official DVB app and website publish routes and ticket information.Carry Some Cash
Keep euros handy for market stalls and smaller pubs, which may prefer cash. Cards are more common at larger restaurants, but a cash backup saves a detour to an ATM.Time Your Meals
Some traditional kitchens close between lunch and dinner, so check opening hours before planning a late-afternoon meal. Make that pause coffee-and-cake time and try a slice of Dresdner Eierschecke.Tip At The Table
For attentive restaurant service, rounding up or tipping roughly 5–10% is customary. Tell the server the total you want to pay when settling the bill rather than leaving the tip on the table.Choose A Collection
The Zwinger holds the Old Masters Picture Gallery, Porcelain Collection and Mathematical-Physical Salon. Pick the collection you most want to see and allow time for it instead of treating the whole complex as a quick courtyard stop.Mind Your Belongings
In crowded markets and on full trams, keep your phone and wallet in a zipped pocket or closed bag. Avoid leaving valuables visible on café tables.Listen For Rain
If rain is forecast, time your Kunsthofpassage stop for a shower: one courtyard's drainpipes are designed to turn rainfall into music. In dry weather, take a closer look at the painted façades.
Gallery
The city, as it actually looks.
Frequently asked
Is Dresden worth visiting?
Yes—especially if you care about art, architecture and how cities remember destruction. In the compact Old Town, the Frauenkirche, Zwinger, Royal Palace, Semperoper and Fürstenzug tell different chapters; cross the Elbe for Neustadt's cafés and courtyards.
How many days in Dresden is enough?
Two full days cover the Old Town and one major museum at a comfortable pace. Stay three if you want several collections, time in Neustadt or a trip to Pillnitz without turning every stop into a timed sprint.
How do you get around Dresden without a car?
You can walk between many central sights, then use DVB trams and buses for longer trips. Check current fares on the official DVB app or website; a day ticket may suit repeated rides, but compare it with single fares first.
Is Dresden safe for tourists?
Dresden is manageable for most visitors with ordinary city precautions. Keep valuables zipped in crowded markets and on busy trams, and don't leave phones or wallets visible on café tables.
Can you visit Dresden on a budget?
Yes: Brühl's Terrace, the Fürstenzug mural and walks along the Elbe let you see much of the city's character without museum admission. Budget separately for collections and public transport, and carry some cash for smaller stalls and pubs.
When is the best time to visit Dresden?
Late spring and early autumn suit walking between the river, historic center and Neustadt. Choose Advent for the Striezelmarkt, Dresden's Christmas market tradition dating to 1434, and expect a very different winter visit.
All Places to Visit.
59 places to discover
Dresden Cathedral
Zwinger
Pillnitz Castle
German Hygiene Museum
Dresden City Museum
Fürstenzug
Dresden Transport Museum
Dresden Museum of Ethnology
Dresden City Art Gallery
Russian Orthodox Church
Dresden Park Railway
Kügelgenhaus – Museum Der Dresdner Romantik
Palace of Dresden Grand Garden
Erich Kästner Museum
Carl-Maria-Von-Weber-Museum
Societaetstheater
1St Tank Army
Marienbrücke
Staatsschauspiel Dresden
Kupferstich-Kabinett Dresden
Innere Altstadt
Kreuzkirche
Dresden Central Station
Saxon State Office for Geographic Information and Surveying
Japanisches Palais
Dresden Porcelain Collection
Kulturpalast Dresden
State Archives Dresden
Münzkabinett
Sächsische Staatskanzlei
Skulpturensammlung Dresden
Saxon State Ministry of Finance
District Court Dresden
Festspielhaus Hellerau
Technische Sammlungen Dresden
Wolfshügelturm
Windbergbahn
Dreikönigskirche
Comödie Dresden
Kunsthaus Dresden
Heidefriedhof, Dresden
Neues Rathaus
Landhaus
Schloss Albrechtsberg
Gedenkstätte Münchner Platz Dresden
Leipziger Bahnhof
Gedenkstätte Bautzner Straße Dresden
Showing 1–48 of 59 places
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Photo credits (9)
- Levent Simsek — Pexels License (https://www.pexels.com/license/) — Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/18873633/
- Begimai Nurmametova — Pexels License (https://www.pexels.com/license/) — Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/38343738/
- Duc N. — Pexels License (https://www.pexels.com/license/) — Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/32356232/
- Guo Haitao — Pexels License (https://www.pexels.com/license/) — Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/35854157/
- Felix Mittermeier — Pexels License (https://www.pexels.com/license/) — Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/1459524/
- Wolfgang Weiser — Pexels License (https://www.pexels.com/license/) — Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/19239088/
- Robert Pügner — Pexels License (https://www.pexels.com/license/) — Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/8033479/
- Sidorela Shehaj — Pexels License (https://www.pexels.com/license/) — Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/35361172/
- Irina Nesterenko — Pexels License (https://www.pexels.com/license/) — Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/18563618/
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