Frauenkirche

Dresden, Germany

The Dresden Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) is considered an outstanding example of Protestant sacred architecture, featuring one of the largest domes in Europe. Built in the 18th century, the church was destroyed in the bombing of Dresden during World War II. The remaining ruins were left for 50 years as a war memorial, following decisions of local East German leaders. The church was rebuilt after the reunification of Germany, starting in 1994.

A church dedicated to Our Lady was first built in the 11th century in a romanesque style, outside the city walls and surrounded by a grave yard. The Frauenkirche was the seat of an archpriest in the Meißen Diocese until the Reformation, when it became a Protestant church. This first Frauenkirche was torn down in 1727 and replaced by a new, larger church with a greater capacity. The Frauenkirche was re-built as a Lutheran parish church by the citizenry. Even though Saxony's Prince-elector, Frederick August I, reconverted to Roman Catholicism to become King of Poland, he supported the construction which gave an impressive cupola to the Dresden townscape.

The original Baroque church was built between 1726 and 1743, and was designed by Dresden's city architect, George Bähr, who did not live to see the completion of his greatest work. Bähr's distinctive design for the church captured the new spirit of the Protestant liturgy by placing the altar, pulpit, and baptismal font directly centre in view of the entire congregation.

Architecture

The church's most distinctive feature was its unconventional 96 m-high dome. Comparable to Michelangelo's dome for St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Frauenkirche's 12,000-ton sandstone dome stood high resting on eight slender supports. Despite initial doubts, the dome proved to be extremely stable. Witnesses in 1760 said that the dome had been hit by more than 100 cannonballs fired by the Prussian army led by Friedrich II during the Seven Years' War.

In 1849, the church was at the heart of the revolutionary disturbances known as the May Uprising. It was surrounded by barricades, and fighting lasted for days before those rebels who had not already fled were rounded up in the church and arrested.

For more than 200 years, the bell-shaped dome stood over the skyline of old Dresden, dominating the city.

Destruction

On 13 February 1945, Anglo-American allied forces began the bombing of Dresden. The church withstood two days and nights of the attacks and the eight interior sandstone pillars supporting the large dome held up long enough for the evacuation of 300 people who had sought shelter in the church crypt, before succumbing to the heat generated by some 650,000 incendiary bombs that were dropped on the city. The temperature surrounding and inside the church eventually reached 1,000 °C. The dome finally collapsed on 15 February. The pillars glowed bright red and exploded; the outer walls shattered and nearly 6,000 tons of stone plunged to earth, penetrating the massive floor as it fell.

The altar, a relief depiction of Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives by Johann Christian Feige, was only partially damaged during the bombing raid and fire that destroyed the church. The altar and the structure behind it, the chancel, were among the remnants left standing. Features of most of the figures were lopped off by falling debris and the fragments lay under the rubble.

Reconstruction

Using original plans from builder Georg Bähr in the 1720s, reconstruction finally began in January 1993. The foundation stone was laid in 1994. The reconstruction of its exterior was completed in 2004, and the interior in 2005. The church was reconsecrated on 30 October 2005 with festive services lasting through the Protestant observance of Reformation Day on 31 October. The surrounding Neumarkt square with its many valuable baroque buildings was also reconstructed in 2004.

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Details

Founded: 1726-1743
Category: Religious sites in Germany
Historical period: Thirty Years War & Rise of Prussia (Germany)

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Y. T. Nixon Tan (3 months ago)
One of the most exhilarating experiences at the Frauenkirche is the ascent to the top of the dome. The climb is an adventure in itself, taking you through the inner workings of the church and giving you a closer look at the engineering marvels behind its construction. The ascent involves a series of winding stairs and ramps that gradually lead you higher, each level offering a new perspective on the architecture and the city outside. Upon reaching the summit, you are rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of Dresden. From this vantage point, the city unfurls below you, with the Elbe River winding through the landscape and the historic buildings of Dresden spreading out in every direction. The view is especially captivating at sunrise or sunset, when the light bathes the city in warm colors, creating a picture-perfect scene.
Danny Cullinane (3 months ago)
An amazing trip to the top - many stone steps and then a 7% ramp that spirals up and finally a steel ladder steps (think as on an old ferry) with great views internally of the upper reaches of the inner dome, and then stunning views from the top over Dresden and beyond to Saxon Switzerland one way and Meißen the other. Went up just before 6pm so caught the city bells ringing out as we were at the top to add to the experience.
Ira_ I (4 months ago)
Strictly recommend roof visiting. Not only view but also the way itself gives a lot of interesting points. Tickets available on the left side from the main entrance, be ready for a proper charge.
Péter Szegő (4 months ago)
A great program and a nice view of the city. I think that even a family of 4 can get up at the right price. The building is very beautiful and the viewing area is very safe. It's worth the climb.
Emily Aldridge (4 months ago)
The church itself although very beautiful is quite small so it doesn't take a long visit. We did decide to pay to go up to the top though which was amazing! You get to see lovely views over Dresden and the inside of the church from a different view as you make your way up. I am a bit claustrophobic so I was nervous about going up but the stairs were very roomy and easy to make your way up. I believe there was a one way system at one point when it was less roomy so there was no need to worry about people coming the other way. The last steps were a little steep but doable.
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