Fraunkirche Church (Dresden). Frauenkirche (Church of the Virgin): description, history

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

The administrative center of Saxony, the city of Dresden, due to the richness of its architecture in literature, was called "Florence on the Elbe". Monuments of architecture in the Baroque style made the city famous throughout the world.

Third on the list of attractions

The Zwinger palace and park complex, the Marcolini Palace and the Japanese Palace, the Kreuzhirche Church - these are far from all the legendary sights of Dresden. Frauenkirche (St. Mary's Church) is the brightest of them.

It ranks third in the list of the main unique objects of Dresden and all of Germany. The main and largest Lutheran church of the city has an extraordinary and mysterious history dating back to the 11th century, to the times when the Slavic people of Sobry (or Lusatians - West Slavic people, Lusatian Serbs) lived on the territory of Dresden.

History of occurrence

On the site of the Frauenkirche church (Dresden), long before the founding of the city itself, there was a small church of the same name. Latera century, around 1142, there was a cult building made in the Romanesque style (a turret was added in the 15th century). By 1722, it was so dilapidated that it was not subject to reconstruction at all, which is why it was decided to demolish it. The magnificent cathedral, erected on the vacant site in 1726-1742 and designed for 3500 seats, is just one of those architectural monuments in the Baroque style that Dresden is famous for.

Frauenkirche is a Lutheran church. It was erected by order of August the Strong (1670-1733), King of Poland and Elector of Saxony (imperial prince). Initially, it was conceived as an object that was supposed to overshadow the Catholic cathedrals, although Augustus I himself was a Catholic.

Main Lutheran Church

A huge but graceful temple after its opening became a symbol of the Reformation (the struggle in Western Europe in the 16th century against Catholicism and papal power). The Frauenkirche (Dresden) was originally taken over by the city's Lutheran community. Dresden is in parentheses because there is a church of the same name in Munich. It can be added that the famous German composer Heinrich Schutz (1585-1672) was buried in this cathedral. After the demolition of the original church, his grave was lost, but there is a mention of the burial in the restored cathedral.

A distinctive feature

The height of St. Mary's Church is 95 meters. It is visible from every corner of the city, it is especially good from the side of Carolbrucke (Karola's bridge). From this angle, the churchstaggers the imagination with its grandeur.

The famous German architect Georg Behr (1666-1738) managed to create a real masterpiece of baroque art, which Dresden is proud of. Frauenkirche (church) stands out from all the buildings of the city with its unique huge 12-ton dome (among those built entirely of stone, it is the largest in the world), which does not have additional supports inside the building.

Engineering solutions ahead of time

The construction of the dome of the amazing Dresden building, which in those days was a construction miracle, was incredibly strong. According to historical evidence, during the Seven Years' War, the artillery of the Prussian king Frederick II fired about 100 shells specifically at the dome, which, due to the strength of the structure, did not cause the slightest harm to the dome. Only American aircraft could destroy it, destroying almost the entire Dresden on February 13, 1945. The Frauenkirche also fell into ruins.

In general, not a single building remained on Neumarkt Square, except for the miraculously surviving monument to Martin Luther.

Restoration Movement

Fire tornado, the temperature of which reached 1400 degrees, destroyed everything. But the melted parts of the organ protected the amazing altar of the church, he took refuge in a kind of cocoon. That is the only reason why the details of the altar were preserved, and they were used in its restoration. Since 1989, a movement of caringpublic under the name "Aktion-Frauenkirche", which was headed by Ludwig Güttler, a world-famous trumpeter and conductor. They were going to restore the church with donations, and they came in the amount of $ 100 million from 26 countries. But the restoration of this cathedral began only after the unification of Germany, specifically in 1996.

The only surviving one

Restoration by archaeological reconstruction continued until 2005. Today, this object cannot be called a new building, if only because during its restoration it was possible to use 43% of the building material of the old building, it was erected according to original, historical drawings. A small wooden bell tower has been installed next to the construction site since the start of work. The only surviving bell (of the former four), made in 1732, was hung in it. In general, the history of the bells of this church deserves a separate article.

Beautiful inside and out

The outside of the cathedral is lined with warm-colored sandstone slabs. Similar details of the burnt building are mounted in them. The ancient slabs are darker and give the building a unique look, and also serve as a reminder of the tragic fate of the cathedral.

The Frauenkirche in Dresden is famous not only for its external majesty, but also for its rich interior decoration. The light yellow color of the walls creates a solemn atmosphere full of air and peace. The height of the inner part of the dome is 26 meters. It is divided into eight sectors, decorated with paintings and gold. Four of them depict evangelists, the restallegories of Christian virtues - Faith, Hope, Love and Mercy - are captured. The altar, restored to its original beauty, is magnificent, above which there is an organ. In the center of the altar is a sculpture depicting the prayers of Christ on the night of Good Friday on the Mount of Olives. The entire reconstruction cost the country 180 million euros.

The Church today

Frauenkirche Church - the current Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral. The church is also attractive because beautiful organ and bell concerts are regularly played here. About 130 concerts are given in the church of St. Mary a year.

After restoration, the dome is equipped with a beautiful observation deck, which makes it possible to look at Dresden from the height of the dome. Frauenkirche as a cathedral and as a place for a panoramic view is very popular with residents and visitors of the city.

On weekdays, the cathedral and its observation deck are open to visitors from 10 am to 6 pm, on Saturday - from 12-00. The lift costs 8 euros, there are discounts for pensioners and students.