Dresden becomes a royal residence

In 1485, the estates of the Dukes of Meissen from the House of Wettin were divided between the sons of Duke Friedrich II. The Albertine line chose Dresden as the Wettin residence.
Even though a devastating fire destroyed the town in 1491, Dresden was nonetheless able to enjoy its first heyday under Duke Georg the Bearded.

The Albertine court was one of the most influential opponents of the Reformation and the town was thus a centre of the resistance to Luther's teachings. Following the death of Duke Georg in 1539, however, his successor also initiated the Reformation in Dresden.

Significant cultural and economic activity developed in the town, determined above all by the needs and desires of the ducal court.