Frauenkirche Dresden Kathrin John Frauenkirche zu Dresden Church

Frauenkirche Dresden Kathrin John Frauenkirche zu Dresden Church of Our Lady

Frauenkirche Dresden Kathrin John Frauenkirche zu Dresden Address: An der Frauenkirche City: Dresden Region: Saxony Country: Germany Continent: Europe Coordinates: 51° 3′ 7″ N 13° 44′ 30″ O Height: 91, 23 m Visitors platform: 66, 30 m Cupola: Ø 28, 68 m outside Ø 22, 58 m inside Reconstructed: 1994 – 2005 Investment: 131 Mio. Euro 65% contributions Material: Sandstone from Saxony Switzerland Stones of the Ruin: 3539

Frauenkirche Dresden Kathrin John 11 th century- Marienkirche ‘of our Lady’ was built 1726– laying of the foundation stone after draft of G. Bähr 1734– sanctification of the church, dome is not finished 1738– death of George Bähr 1743 - completion of the church after 17 years of construction 1942 - extensive refurbishment 13. 02. 1943– bombing of Dresden 15. 02. 1943 - collapse of the burnt out Frauenkirche 1990 - citizen initiative to rebuild the Frauenkirche 1993 - beginning of the archaeological rubble clearance 1994 - laying of the foundation stone 2005 - sanctification of the church (11 years construction)

Frauenkirche Dresden Kathrin John First concept of George Bähr In his first draft (1722) the floorplan was submitted by a Greek cross, above which he designed a huge coppercovered dome, made out of wood. At the begin he planed only one tower. Third concept of George Bähr Because of very attractive alternative plans of other architects, Bähr had to improve his draft. As a vision, King ‘August der Starke’ wants a building according to European standard. As an example he suggest the Venetian church of Santa Maria della Salute. Because of this Bähr changed his draft, now the cupola was supported by four towers.

Frauenkirche Dresden Kathrin John In the 18 th Century the population grows constantly. Because of that fact, the old St. Mary's Church of Our Lady was demolished. A new, larger and more imposing church should be developed. ‘August the Starke’ responsible George Bähr, who was well known for his designs of central-type churches, to make a draft. His concept was a big central space, that acts out of static elements. About this room stands a huge dome. During construction Bähr developed the plan. He wants to build the entire building out of stone. Contrary to the meaning of other specialist, he put through his plans in which the dome was supported by only nine pillars.

Frauenkirche Dresden Kathrin John For me, the hole church is a museum itself! With the reconstruction and the using of the old stones of the ruin, the building tells it story itself. The form is a symbol for the baroque period, the old and black stones are telling the story of the second world war and the destruction of Dresden and his symbol, the Frauenkirche. And with the reconstruction you can see the period of today.

Frauenkirche Dresden Kathrin John Canaletto view Giovanni Antonio Canal, called Canaletto was one of the famous painters of the 18 th century. Famous are his paintings of the venetian skyline. On his journeys he also stopped in Dresden. Also his nephew Bernardo Bellotto, who has the same artist name, visited Dresden. Both painters have made wonderful paintings there. On of important element of this Canaletto view is the Frauenkirche. Fifty years she was missing in the view, but since 2005 the Canaletto view is complete again.