Dresden - Frauenkirche

The Frauenkirche is definitely one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dresden Germany. Designed by Dresden’s architect—George Bähr a master of the Baroque style—in the 18th century, the church featured an usually large 314 foot high dome. The dome weighed 12,000 tons and contained no internal supports. However, the Frauenkirche was destroyed during World War II. Reconstruction was attempted throughout the years, but it wasn’t until 1993 that the revival actually began. The price was steep, over $200 million, but by 2004 the outside of the church had been restored. The inside was due to be finished just in time for the city’s 800 year anniversary. Upon completion, the Frauenkirche further cemented its status as a great tourist site in Germany.

Perhaps the single greatest hardship suffered by the citizens of Dresden, Germany was the firebombing that took place toward the end of World War II. On Valentine’s Day, 1945, Allied planes carpet bombed the Altstadt (Old Town). Dresden was not considered militarily strategic, but the allies unleashed a bombing campaign because the Soviet army was merely fifty miles east of the city. The bombing was to aid the advance of the Red Army. The goal was to create a fire storm amidst the factories and buildings and prevent German resistance. However, ideal weather conditions caused a massive inferno that gutted tens of thousands of buildings. Yet it is because of this damage, and the subsequent attempt at revival, that makes Dresden a popular tourist site in Germany.