Church of Our Lady in Dresden - an architectural masterpiece

The Church of Our Lady in Dresden (1726-1743) is a baroque Lutheran church and one of the most famous landmarks of the regional capital. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful church buildings from this period in Europe, and a magnificent example of Protestant church architecture. The largest sandstone building in the world, it also has the largest stone dome north of the Alps.

The original Church of Our Lady in Dresden was a small 11th century Romanesque building. It took another 700 years before the impressive domed building was erected on the site. In 1722, the city of Dresden appointed George Bähr, the city's master carpenter and architect, to design a new church and the Church of our Lady was built between 1726 and 1743. During the Second World War, the church was destroyed by an air raid on the city in February 1945. After the war, the ruined building served as a memorial. Germany was reunited in 1989, and renovation work on the church began in 1994, with the help of numerous organisations and donations from all over the world. It was completed in 2005. On 30 October 2005, the whole world looked to Dresden as the restored Church of our Lady was consecrated, with nearly 300,000 people present to celebrate the occasion with a church service.

The layout of the church is square, measuring 41 by 41 metres. Its dome, weighing 12,000 tonnes, is supported by eight columns. The base of the dome starts at a height of 40 metres and a diameter of 26 metres, while the cupola is at a height of 62 metres, with a 10-metre diameter. The 59,000 tonne building is crowned by a cross, measuring 8 metres, at an impressive height of 91 metres. What was once a war memorial has now become a symbol of reconciliation. Church services and concerts benefit from the cathedral's new organ, built by Daniel Kern of Strasbourg, which can be played on four keyboards from different locations in the church. It has 67 stops, generating a profusion of magnificent music from 4,000 pipes. From outside, the melodic chimes of the cathedral's eight bells, weighing between 291 and 1,750 kilograms, can be.

Visitors can enter the church from any side of the building through seven entrances. Inside, there is seating for about 2,000 people. With prestigious concerts, church services and sightseeing visits (which are free of charge), there are many ways to appreciate this remarkable building. Sightseeing is not permitted during services or special events. Guided tours and tours for children are available as well as audio guides in various languages.


Contact:
E-Mail: stiftung@frauenkirche-dresden.de
Internet: http://www.frauenkirche-dresden.org/