The Yenidze is a former cigarette factory at Weißeritzstraße 3 in Dresden's Friedrichstadt district, in Saxony, Germany, built in the style of an oriental mosque. Constructed in 1909 for the Yenidze tobacco company by the architect Martin Hammitzsch, it was designed to look like a mosque with a glass dome and a number of tall slender chimneys that resemble minarets, mainly as a marketing device for the company's tobacco imports from the Ottoman Empire. The factory closed in the 1920s and the building has since been used for offices, apartments and cultural events, with a restoration in the 1990s. The facade is of brick with ornamental bands and tiles, and the glass dome, about 17 metres in diameter, is lit from inside and visible across the Altstadt at night. Visitors can enter the building through the restaurant, which has a terrace on the roof from which there is a wide view of the Elbe, the Altstadt skyline and the Zwinger. Under the glass dome, the Kuppelsaal hosts storytelling evenings, readings, concerts and other events, and the restaurant serves food and drinks. The exterior is free to see at any time, and there is no entry fee for the terrace, though visitors will usually order a drink or meal. A visit takes 30 to 60 minutes. The building is best photographed from the street in the evening, when the dome is illuminated, and from the Weißeritz area, where the chimneys and the dome stand out against the sky. It is quiet in the daytime and busiest at weekend events and on summer evenings. Yenidze is about 15 minutes on foot from the Altstadt, and its location beside the Weißeritz makes it a pleasant detour from the centre.
| Admission | Exterior free; the rooftop and the glass dome are reached via the restaurant, no entry fee for the terrace |
|---|---|
| Hours | Restaurant and terrace typically open from midday, longer in summer; storytelling evenings in the dome |
| Typical visit | 30-60 minutes |
| Best time | Evening for the lit dome |
| Getting there | 15 minutes on foot from the Altstadt; nearest tram stop Weißeritzstraße (check DVB app) |
| Address | Weißeritzstraße 3, 01067 Dresden, Germany |
Location
Weißeritzstraße 3, 01067 Dresden, Germany
51.0530, 13.7262 View on map
Highlights
- See the mosque-style factory with its glass dome and chimney minarets
- Enjoy the roof terrace view over the Elbe and the Altstadt
- Attend a storytelling evening or event in the glass dome
- Photograph the lit dome at night
Tips for visiting
- Visit in the evening to see the dome lit
- The roof terrace is reached through the restaurant
- Check the event calendar for storytelling evenings in the dome
- Walk from the Altstadt in about 15 minutes
- Restaurant opening times are longer in summer
When to visit
Evening for the lit dome and sunset views from the terrace. Daytimes are quieter.
Accessibility
The ground-level restaurant is accessible, but access to the roof terrace and dome may involve stairs or a lift. Visitors needing step-free access should inquire with the restaurant in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Yenidze take?
About 30 to 60 minutes, including time on the roof terrace. A meal or event takes longer.
Is there an entry fee?
No entry fee applies to the exterior or terrace, but visitors normally buy food or drinks at the restaurant.
Why does a factory look like a mosque?
It was built in 1909 for a tobacco company and designed in oriental style as an advertisement for its Ottoman tobacco. The chimneys were disguised as minarets.