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Dresden - A City Risen from the Ashes

July 13, 2004
https://p.dw.com/p/5IDA
Dresden's old city center on the banks of the dried up river ElbeImage: AP

Looking back on Dresden's historical development, it is remarkable that the city has recovered and developed into a thriving metropolis in the economically deprived region of eastern Germany. About 60 years ago, the situation was strikingly different. On Feb. 13, 1945 the baroque city center -- one of Germany's architectural jewels -- was completely destroyed when the Allies flew a devastating bombing attack killing more than 10,000 citizens and turning the city into a synonym for apocalyptic destruction.

In the years following the war, Dresden struggled to recover its old splendor, but 40 years under communist rule left their mark. After unification in 1990 the city was nearly restored when the next fatal disaster struck in 2002: The century's worst floods raged through the historic downtown, causing immense damage to the city and throwing renovation work back several years.

Today Dresden is back on its feet and more than completely restored. Throughout its turbulent and inimitable history, the city referred to as the "Florence on the Elbe," has withstood destruction and catastrophe to produce a unique combination of historical and modern features like the rebuilt Frauenkirche or the Semper Opera and high-tech enterprises or glass-encrusted automobile works.

DW-World has put together a collection of stories about this remarkable city.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Looking Beyond the Facade

Irish architect Ruairi O'Brien has designed a museum for the Platte, those East German pre-fabricated apartment blocks which were the hallmark of socialist living. On Wednesday he receives an award for his work.
February 7, 2003

A New Cupola for Dresden's Frauenkirche

Fifty-nine years after it was destroyed in the Allied bombing in World War II, the Church of Our Lady in Dresden finally had its cupola and gilded cross replaced at a ceremony on Tuesday.
June 23, 2004

Stone by Stone

A significant masterpiece of European architecture, the Dresden Church of Our Lady, is being rebuilt after heavy Allied bombing destroyed the cathedral during World War II. It is a unique symbol of reconciliation.
January 23, 2002

Silicon Saxony: Chip Factory Brings High-Tech to Dresden

U.S. chipmaker AMD has broken ground on a $2.4 billion factory in Dresden that will manufacture silicon wafers. It's another coup for the eastern German city that has become one of the region's few economic bright spots.
May 18, 2004

Dealing With A Rising Disaster

August 16, 2002

UNESCO Honors Three German Treasures

Dresden's romantic Elbe Valley, Bremen's historic spots and a park on the Saxon-Polish border will rub shoulders with the likes of Venice and Angkor Wat as UNESCO accepted the German gems to the World Heritage site list.
July 2, 2004

Questioning The Reasons For Allied Air War

With the publication of a new book, Germans are re-examining the horror brought by Allied planes during World War II. It is an issue that the city of Dresden knows too well.
February 14, 2003

The Destruction of Dresden's Frauenkirche

As the final stones are put in place in Dresden's Frauenkirche, long-time residents of the city recall their horrifying memories when Allied bombers destroyed the city.
October 26, 2005

A Baroque Beauty Rebuilt

It's resurrection a symbol for all of reunited Germany, Dresden's Frauenkirche, or Church of Our Lady will be consecrated Sunday. A visit in pictures.
May 14, 20099 images