Pirna, a town situated only about 20 kilometers far away from the Saxon capital Dresden, is embedded in one of the most picturesque landscapes of Germany. Almost spared with wardamages and conflagration you can visit places in the historic Old Town whose appearances have been preserved over several centuries e.g. the market square which was painted by B.Bellotto, called Canalatto, in the middle of the 18th century. The paintings of the Venetian contributed to Pirna's world-wide reputation and a ramble through the original preserved mediaeval city centre with its narrow alleys will delight any romantic. Glorious middle-class houses impress their visitors with magnificent gables, gazebos, "chair-alcove-portals", lovely backyards with wooden galeries and plashing water fountains demonstrate the lifestyle of former times. Grand, richly decorated old wooden beam-ceilings show as well the virtuosity of the ancestors. Many of these treasures have been restored fondly and expensively during the last ten years, new things have been added sensitively e.g. at the Town Museum and the Town Library.