Dresden Frauenkirche in Germany

The Dresden Frauenkirche, also called the “Church of our Lady,” is situated in Dresden, Germany. The Dresden Church was built in the 18th century, but it was destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden during the World War II. The Dresden Frauenkirche was reconstructed as a landmark and a symbol of reconciliation between former warring enemies.The reconstruction of the church’s exterior was completed in 2004, while its interior in 2005 and after 13 years of rebuilding, the Dresden Frauenkirche church was reconsecrated on October 30, 2005 with festive services lasting through the Protestant observance of Reformation Day on October 31.

Dresden Frauenkirche in Germany

Once a month, there is an Anglican Evensong in English that is held in the Dresden Frauenkirche church, with clergy sent from St. George’s Anglican Chaplaincy in Berlin, Germany.

History of the Dresden Frauenkirche in Germany

A first Kirche zu unser liuben Vrouwen was built in the 11th century in romanesque architecture. It was then situated outside the city walls and surrounded by a grave yard. The Dresden Frauenkirche was the seat of an arch priest in the Diocese Meissen until Reformation, when it became a Protestant church. The first Frauenkirche was torn down in 1727 and replaced by a new church due to capacity requests.

The Dresden Frauenkirche is a Protestant Cathedral in Germany that was built by Frederick August I between 1726 and 1743. It was designed by a German architect named George Bahr, who died before the construction of the Dresden Frauenkirche church. In the year 1736, a German named Gottfried Silbermann, who was an organ maker constructed a manual organ for the church. And on November 25, 1736, the organ was presented to the church.

Dresden Frauenkirche altar

The construction of the dome was completed in the year 1760. The dome was 96 meters high and was named “Stone Bell.” It is often compared to St Peters Basilica in Rome. According to experts, the dome was hit by 100 cannonballs by the Prussian army during the time of Seven Years War, but in despite of attacks on the Dresden Frauenkirche church like this one, it still survived.

Dresden Frauenkirche in Germany in 1880

On February 13, 1945, the Anglo-American forces attacked and bombed the Dresden Frauenkirche church with  almost 650,000 bombs and the church lasted for two days under such strong attacks. The temperature caused by bombings reached up to 1,000 degrees which caused the dome to collapse on February 15, 1945. The dome, together with its pillars and outer walls were destroyed, as well as the entire structure of the Dresden Frauenkirche.

Dresden Frauenkirche altar

After the destruction of the Dresden Frauenkirche church, there were several attempts to rebuild it. A German named Gunter Blobel was the first person who took an active part in campaigning for the Dresden Frauenkirche church’s restoration. Gunter Blobel donated one million dollars, which he was given with the Nobel Prize that was given for his contributions in relation to the medical field.

Ruins of the Frauenkirche in 1958

Finally in the year 1994, the reconstruction of the Church of Our Lady begun under the administration of Eberhard Burger, who used the previous plans of the church by George Bahr. The Dresden Frauenkirche church was constructed based on the pictures of the old Church of Our Lady. The chapel was finished in the year 1996 and the dome was completed in the year 2000. Many pieces of the previous Dresden Frauenkirche church’s ruins were used in the completion of the new church. There were almost 8,500 stones of the previous church was taken to rebuild the new Church of Our Lady, however, only 3,800 stones were used in the new building.

construction of the Dresden Frauenkirche in 2003

In addition, seven bells were added to the Dresden Frauenkirche church in the year 2003 and Martin Luther’s bronze statue that survived the bombings was also restores in the Church of Our Lady. On June 22, 2004, the construction of  the church was completed.

Dresden Frauenkirche at night

As of today, the Dresden Frauenkirche church stands as a distinct example in the field of construction. It is also considered as one of the most popular tourist spots inGermany, that is visited by the people from all over the world.

Dresden Frauenkirche’s interior with view of altar

Paintings inside the Dresden Frauenkirche

Since the re-opening of the Dresden Frauenkirche in Germany

The north side in 2006, observing the largest remaining original structure of the Church of Our Lady inter operated with the restored work

Since the re-opening of the Church of Our Lady in Germany, it has been one of the most popular tourist destinations in Dresden. In the first three years after its re-opening, there were seven million people have visited the Dresden Frauenkirche church. The project has inspired other reconstruction projects throughout Europe. The Church of Our Lady in Germany also offer their Christian services again. In the year 2009, the Church of Our Ladi was visited by US President Barack Obama after a meeting with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Grunes Gewolbe.

Outside the Dresden Frauenkirche in Germany