Dresden's Frauenkirche – Magnificence from Rubble

Dresden's Frauenkirche Magnificence from Rubble

Allied bombers smashed Dresden's Baroque icon, Frauenkirche, in 1945. Sixty years later a unified Germany re-consecrated the church and its majestic dome. In-between a determined and relentless team picked through the rubble to resurrect Dresden's magnificent Frauenkirche.

Dresden, also known as the Florence on the Elbe,' is the capital of Saxon state in eastern Germany. An 11th century church site is the foundation of Frauenkirche, or the Church of Our Lady. Despite its name, this is a Protestant place of worship built between 1726 and 1743. The dome is called the Steineme Glocke, or Stone Bell, rises 96 meters/315 feet above the altar. It is an engineering marvel and the anchor to the city's skyline. Johann Sebastian Bach, from nearby Lepzig, performed a concert on its new organ.

The bombs fell on 13 February, 1945, just two months shy of Berlin's fall. 3,900 tons of high explosives and incendiary bombs screamed down on Dresden. A firestorm swept through the city killing an estimated 25,000 residents. 1,000O C/1,832 O F temperatures surrounded Frauenkirche, collapsing the dome. Miraculously, the altar was spared.

Post-war East Germany chose not to repair Frauenkirche, believing the ruins symbolized Western atrocities. In 1989 a determined group of Dresden citizen's formed the "The Society to Promote the Reconstruction of the Church of Our Lady." This grassroots organization grew to thousands of German citizens with donations came from all over the world, including Great Britain. 180 million was raised.

The most challenging part of the quest was creating a jigsaw puzzle out of the ruble. All of the rocks at the site were categorized. Divers searched the depths of the Elbe for more pieces of Frauenkirche. 8,500 of the original stones joined millions of others in the rebuilding. Typically German, the original architectural plans survived. From them and photos came three-dimensional models. No drawing existed for the elaborately carved entrance doors. Undeterred, the re-builders requested old wedding pictures from the residents of Dresden. From the photos the doors were replicated. Seven new bells were cast for the Steineme Glocke. Frauenkirche reopened on 30 October 2005, over 60 years after it collapsed.

Europe is full of churches that are older, taller, bigger, holier, or more historic than Dresden's Frauenkirche. If you could only visit one, consider taking a stroll along the Elbe. Walk close to the church walls and note the charred original rocks are mixed with the lighter-colored new stones. Frauenkirche is a mosaic of determination, patience, ingenuity, and love. We all can use a little piece of that magic.

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