We left Quedlinburg on Thursday to go to two of the most inspirational cities in Germany. (In my opinion anyway.)
Near the end of WWII, the allies committed one of the most horrendous tragedies of the war. They leveled two civilian cities, justifying it by claiming that they were centers for potential support of the Nazis.
Dresden was hit the hardest. The entire city was destroyed. Thousands died. The strike happened in two waves. A small plane dropped flares and a larger plane came in dropping bombs in the areas where the flares were. The destruction was massive. This wasn’t the biggest atrocity though. Around 2 hours after the first wave, when the rescue workers and citizens had congregated on the area of damage trying to rescue potential survivors, the second wave came in dropping bombs on the original site, killing thousand of rescue workers and citizens.
Along with killing so many people, many ancient building were destroyed. The legacy of the German people was hit severely. Dresden didn’t even exist anymore. Many argue that this was a war crime on the side of the Allies and that appropriate reparations have not been made to this day.
In 1945 this is what all of Dresden looked like.
What wasn’t damaged by the bombing was destroyed in fires caused by the bombings.
The fires were so hot that people running to safety would just fall down dead of asphyxiation because the fires were sucking all the oxygen from the air. Buildings like the Frauenkirche, the Palace (Zwinger, completed in 1728,), the Court’s Cathedral, and so many others that had become the trademark of Dresden (which was a mecca for learning and culture in Dresden,) were completely destroyed. The Frauenkirche survived the bombings and had been a refuge for many, collapsed due to fires, killing all those seeking safety inside. The cross that adorned the crown of the dome was warped from the heat of the fires.
What is so inspirational about Dresden and Leipzig ,is that they rebuilt. They came back. You look across the Elba river in Dresden and you see a skyline much the same as prior to the war and the bombings. The Zwinger, which had been built by August the Starke in the 16th century was repaired using the same plans as the original architect. The Semperbau Opera house has been renovated twice since the attack.
Most inspirational is the Frauenkirche. This building was left in the condition it was in post war as a monument and reminder. Not too long ago citizens banded together with donations and started an archeological dig of the church, cataloguing each stone and the church was rebuilt on the funding of individuals all over the world. Using the same architectural plans as the building was originally designed with, the church rose out of its destructed state. Stones from the original church were reused when their original location was determinable. Sitting in this church, even though it is crowded with tourists, is a peaceful and commemorative experience. I am not a religious person, but these churches in Germany make me want to pray; however, the most powerful message here though is not the word of God, but the unity of the people and the singular desire to return this city to the beauty and cultural importance as it once contained.
The Zwinger’s galleries have been restored and the works house within them are inspiring. Today I sat at the foot of Rapael’s Madonna. I saw paintings by Titian and Ruben and I saw the porcelain and treasure collection of August the Starke. IT is an inspiring thing to see the results of the heart of the people. The United states has never seen a catastrophe as devastating as what occurred in Dresden and Leipzig.
The Dresden Skyline today
These past few days have been inspiring to say the least. The unity of people the world over has rebuilt these amazing cities and the beauty is there to inspire and to delight with the awesomeness of it’s presence.
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