The acceptance certificate for the last contract section was then signed as had already been agreed in the contract dated March 31, 1999. Documentation in the form of audio tapes can still be found with original pieces of music from this organ. Another ten months until the church can be handed over to the public through a solemn consecration on October 30, 2005. In 1722 George Baehr, municipal building contractor and architect of the city, started on plans for a new building to replace the small Gothic church, the oldest parish church in the city. For the first time it was possible to imagine the extent of work to come. The floor area was divided into grid squares which facilitated subsequent orientation and assignment. Still maintaining its Baroque style but respecting change, the Frauenkirche, though a reconstruction, combines the best technology of today with the beauty of the past, thus giving us the pleasure of enjoying a historical structure and the advantages of both eras. The task posed more problems than solutions could be found. Furthermore, the outer part of the main basement for the west barrel vault, which was three metres wide and had not collapsed, had to be included. However, this was done not only horizontally but also vertically. The post-tensioning technique had to be done in such a manner as to ensure that the two anchor ends be clamped into position, post-tensioned and kept from slipping out of place. Enter to see the grand hall, and head up to the dome (one of Europe's largest) for fantastic views and photo ops of the city. Exact controls are absolutely necessary when planning and implementing the project as well as when checking the quality. In Bähr's time, the sandstone was brought to the Dresden Neumarkt by boat. In 1993, work to clear the rubble began. A canopy had been built as protection against sun and rain. This technique was also employed in a different way for the reconstruction of the dome geometry, where historic photos were used due to the lack of old plans. A year later it was lifted to 33.50 m and then to 44 m for the last time in May 2000. Continuous variance comparison ensured the necessary precision and avoided extraordinary tensions in the structure. Each find was marked and numbered before being carefully taken away. Restoration work in the 19th and 20th century had also been documented in the form of site measurements and photos. The inner dome with its circular 6 m opening was thereby completed as the connection between church room and main dome room. The conviction that the Frauenkirche that had been totally destroyed simply had to be rebuilt was shared by many people within Dresden and elsewhere too. The pace and complexity of the work in the church's interior had clearly increased. Because of its superior quality, only sandstone from the so-called ‘white bank’ of the Wehlen quarry was used for the inner piers. The promotional group with initially 14 members eventually developed into a promotional society whose radiation reached all spheres of society. The reconstruction took place using only period photographs because no plans have been preserved. were used for the piers. Copyright © 2021 Sacred Architecture Journal. +49 (0)351-656 06 100stiftung@frauenkirche-dresden.de. Another essential task was the reconstruction of the historic basements. The piers were erected up to the position from where the arches spring (18.37 m). The reconstruction work was essentially based on three guiding principles: The use of the building’s original substance to as large an extent as possible will make the fate of the destruction of the rebuilt Frauenkirche visibly evident for many years to come. normally 6 mm. Since its consecration, hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in religious services and guided tours, attended concerts, lectures etc. A spray seal was applied before assembly that channels off any water that penetrates through the cover plates. All preparatory work necessary for building the vault was now finished. In the Frauenkirche this was particularly difficult on the piers, the dome and other curved areas as well as where old and new stones were joined. The building did not grow as fast in this and the next year since the amounts of sandstone in cubic meters increased per running metre and complicated laggings had to carry the newly-placed arches and vaults. The Architekten- und Ingenieurgemeinschaft GmbH IPRO Dresden was commissioned with the overall planning of the rebuilding project, except for the civil engineering services. Dresden is a beautiful Baroque city located in the heart of former East Germany. The sandstone for Bähr’s Frauenkirche as well as the rebuilt church comes from the Posta quarries in the Elbsandsteingebirge (Elbe Sandstone Mountains) near Dresden. The exhibitions cover the church’s reconstruction from a pile of rubble to a grand building. The canopy was first raised from 45 to 57 m on 24th / 25th April. Nevertheless, the Church in the State of Saxony and the State Office of Monument Preservation favoured the rebuilding scheme. Surveying is an indispensable part of each building project, both then and now. The church has a very simple but beautiful plan on the inside. From there the canopy was raised to 57 m in April. They were built in accordance with the precepts of traditional craftsmanship. Unlike 200 years ago, when the broken stones were mostly hewn on site, the raw material nowadays is processed in workshops and delivered in prefabricated blocks by overland routes only. In the final winter of World War II, the allied forces bombarded Dresden and killed thousands of the residents. The huge dome of the Dresden Frauenkirche is a magnificent sight from inside and outside. The digital records of the finds were evaluated by photogrammetry to enable later revision and correction. Ascent to the Dome Pay admission to the hike to the top of the dome. Work on the façade continued in 2000. The nave, inner dome, first part of the tambour cylinder, dome batter and lower part of the staircase turrets could be rebuilt with the canopy in this position. The work was literally ‘cut out’ for the stone planners. There were many doubts regarding the stability of this 12,200 ton heavy stone dome. Based on detailed calculations, there was a need to reinforce the stone dome with post-tension anchors for the dome to support itself and survive any kind of sudden change in forces. The round church dome is one of the most beautiful and largest in Germany. A reinforced concrete floor and ducts for the ventilation and heating systems as well as for laying the cables were placed in the main basement. Reconstruction The ruins of the Frauenkirche had been lying in the heart of Dresden for decades – until the building literally rose from the ashes thanks to a unique rebuilding project. What's more, it quickly became clear that it would take too much time to dismantle and reassemble the construction to raise it to the required heights. Deadlines and schedules were jeopardised. The concave dome batter also posed a few problems. However, due to political circumstances in East Germany, the reconstruction came to a halt. It gives the dome its unique bell shape and is thus the point where the geometrical form of the square changes into a circle. After months of working in two shifts, the last stone of the upper compression ring could be placed on 29th July 2001. However, the political conditions in the then GDR did no permit continuation of the commenced work. The preliminary research included analyzing the existing data. The reconstruction of monuments all over Dresden began, but the Frauenkirche remained in its rubble state for 48 more years. The ‘Frauenkirche Foundation Dresden e.V.’ actually started its work on 1st October 1992. The masonry of the structure was required to protect from the elements and prevent moisture from penetrating the inside of the building during a long, low-maintenance life time. Relying on the experience gained during the first lifting process and thanks to technical and organisational improvements, the third canopy position was reached at a height of approximately 35 m on 23rd July 1998 after a three-day lifting process. But no matter how indispensable the computer was as a working tool, it could not replace the creativity of the architects and engineers. The carpenters built laggings for the vaults between the inner piers and the outer walls. The outer shape of the church building was restored to its original glory through the removal of the final external scaffolding on July 30, 2004. This style, known today as the Dresdener Baroque, is named after the city and its unique balance of sculpture, art and architecture. This present was financed through British donations and made by British hands. At the same time building activities began to prevent the loss of further stones. The building workers know just how to bond the stones in each individual place to create a bearing structure from the building plan. Reconstruction of the Frauenkirche Dresden, 2005. 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. Dome, The Frauenkirche, Dresden, Germany. Dresden’s Frauenkirche church was destroyed by bombing and fire at the end of the war in 1945. These mistakes had to be avoided in the rebuilding project. After the stone work on the inner and outer shell and spiral ramp had been finished and the last ties placed in position, the keystone of the compression ring could be laid at a height of 60 m on May 23, 2003. The approval plans were submitted to the surveyor’s office on 21st July 1992. After 12 years, the time has come to lift the tower "cap" - along with its pinnacle cross - into place, outwardly completing reconstruction of the world famous domed Frauenkirche. Furthermore, the methods for testing materials were not nearly as sophisticated as those of today so that less suitable sandstone blockswere also used. At the same time, however, it is testimony to the overcoming of enmity and a sign of hope and reconciliation. Frauenkirche Exhibition Inside the basement of the church, you’ll find a special room dedicated to the building’s history. The Frauenkirche's precise building plot had to be defined in the same way as each building owner stakes out the area where their building will be erected. In February 1992, the state capital of Dresden resolved to support the rebuilding project with funding and ideas. Further improvements were however made. The penetrating water thus had to be diverted into ducts covered by plates on the main cornice in future. Restorers were working on the altar. Custom-developed computer programs were used for permanent surveying. A so-called altitude point network was defined in the vertical so that invariable altitude points could also be defined. So-called laggings had to be designed for the many arches and vaults. The main dome started to deviate from the perpendicular and incline inwards there. The first stage of construction lot 4 began with scaffolding and carpentry work. By Spring 2001, work on the stone structure had progressed to such an extent that the geometrical separation of the individual building parts was clearly visible from the scaffolding level below the canopy: The inner dome above the church room separates from the stonework ring that will carry the main dome and rises towards the upper compression ring. Thus, Dresden's Frauenkirche is mostly refered to as the Frauenkirche, not the Church of Our Lady because it is unique. Last but not least, it is also an optically attractive building material. A custom-built rotary platform was used for the architectural paintings in the individual sections of the inner dome. It has been the capital of Saxony since the rule of King Augustus the Strong, when the city was at its pinacle. An initial three-dimensional model was created based on the recovered data using the latest computer technology. Suspense mounts as 60,000 onlookers await the big moment. The measured plans done by Kiesling from 1949 – 1959 were particularly useful in forming a good base of documentation for the reconstruction phases. Electricians were completing their lighting, power supply, measuring and control installations. They wanted the Neumarkt to be redesigned according to the model of the site, with small plots and the possible restoration of the facades and roof landscape from before 1945. The reconstruction of the Frauenkirche: the return of Dresden's landmark The conviction that the Frauenkirche that had been totally destroyed simply had to be rebuilt was shared by many people within Dresden and elsewhere too. This Protestant church was designed for preaching sermons with a central seating area oriented towards the altar. The work on the destroyed altar could also be finished after years of discussions on the ‘right’ solution. In this way, the Frauenkirche will testify to the history of its destruction in the future too. Dresden's Frauenkirche, a symbol of the suffering of German civilians after its destruction in World War II bombing and now of reconciliation, was … Today, the local government driven by the love of its citizens for their city, has led to the redevelopment of the city and an effort to recreate Dresden and its magnificent beauty. The reconstruction of selected architectural monuments was also forced ahead from the very beginning: the reconstruction of the Zwinger was completed in 1964. In 1993, photogrammetric pictures were taken of the ruin to reconstruct the spatiality and three-dimensional shape of the Frauenkirche. 40,000 people gathered in the streets and squares around the Frauenkirche to listen. This section had suffered repeated damage due to penetrating rain water. Considering these prerequisites, his assumptions were remarkably true but not absolutely accurate. The canopy now also covered both of the standing parts of the ruin, the north-west corner tower and the choir, for the first time. The Reconstruction of Dresden’s Frauenkirche 00'00 BA 00’13 Dresden, the 22nd of June, 2004. The big dormer windows of the dome were reached in Autumn. The decorative mock-up was particularly important for finally determining the colour schemes and finishes. This big compound of original stones had been lying on the north side since the beginning of the rebuilding process, rotated by 180° just as it had been on the mound of rubble. Fortunately, a number of sources existed to assist in this work. As a visitor, you can go up to the dome and see Dresden from a height of 60 metres. 20,000 connecting pieces were needed to join the individual poles of the support and bearing structures of the main dome lagging. Work then concentrated on preparing the attachment of the lantern roof with its spire cross. During the night of 13-14 February, British Royal Air Forces dropped 1478 tons of high explosives and 1182 tons of incendiary bombs on the first bombing run and 800 tons of bombs on the … Their skills were in great demand with regard to planning and calculating the stability and structural safety. The curved projections of the staircase spire made it look like a butterfly. Finally the ruin itself together with the large structural parts and individual pieces that could be recovered proved a great source of information. A solution had to be found to enclose the building site so that it was independent of the weather. It was only in the late 1980s that renowned personalities came out for rebuilding the Frauenkirche and started to collect donations. The wooden flooring boards for the outer scaffoldings up to the main cornice (i.e. The fourth hydraulic lifting operation took place in November 2002 before the canopy construction was retrofitted to complete the neck of the lantern and the lantern itself. Jazz1979 07:11, 18 November 2005 (UTC) Photo courtesy Prof. Wolfram Jaeger. After the end of WWII, however, neither the Church in the State of Saxony nor the city of Dresden had the funds, let alone technical or personnel resources to launch the rebuilding project on their own. Subscriptions | About SAJ | Advertise in SAJ | Contact Us |. The main dome that made this church so famous was now visible both from inside and outside. Built in the 18th century, the church was destroyed in the bombing of Dresden during World War II. The actual rebuilding work began when the first stone was laid after all the rubble had been cleared according to archaeological principles. In 1726, the actual planning of the Frauenkirche began. Special solutions which always required a proof of stability repeatedly had to be developed for both types of scaffolding due to the scale of the building project. But it took 45 years for the realisation of this dream to become a feasible possibility. The first round of the ramp between the inner and outer shell of the dome leading up to the platform under the lantern was completed. In addition the joint thickness and the mortar quality must be defined and complied with. The completion of construction lot 2 was scheduled for 11th April 1997. It has so many stories to tell and tries to encourage people – day by day. Covering an area of 1,300 m², the new structure houses the functional rooms required to meet the needs of contemporary usage such as cloakrooms for visitors, sanitary facilities, and dressing-rooms for artists, lounges, service rooms for ventilation, energy supply and emergency power generation as well as a transformer substation. The reconstruction of the Frauenkirche is an impressive symbol of international reconciliation after World War II. Only then it was possible to continue with the normal bond. The glazing was being fitted beside the work that had already begun and joiners were building stairs, flooring, pews as well as inner doors and windows. The canopy was raised for a third time between 8th to 11th May 2000. The reinforced concrete structure that was designed as a ‘white tank’ encircles the east side of the church in a ‘U’-shape and nestles against George Bähr's foundations leaving just a settlement joint. This helped minimize the influence of the weather on the exposed sandstone work during construction and comply with the special requirements on stone work quality. Artists, Architects, Engineers, Historians, Scientific Researchers, Socialists, and Conservationists all started taking an active part in the discussion and decision making process for the reconstruction of the Frauenkirche. The quarry and the church to be built were both located near the river Elbe and it stood to reason that this means of transport be used. The last arches between piers and spar-type frames were built and ties inserted. This helped in identifying the tentative locations of various stones. It is a genuine invention of the architect George Baehr. Around 60,000 people on the spot and 8 million viewers in front of their TV’s witnessed and celebrated the occasion. A total of 2,700 m³ of sandstone had to be placed or laid, approximately 270 t of steel structures for the galleries erected, ties inserted, the lift shaft in staircase tower G built and all supply lines led from the central control rooms in the outer structure to the ground floor of the church building. The scaffolding was removed on completion of the laying work for the staircase turrets and jointing work. The homogeneity of the masonry work – grayish –yellow Elbe river sandstone that soon acquired a dark patina – lent the body of the building an impression of massivity and weight, adding all the more emphasis to the dynamic, soaring cupola. Painters had begun to decorate the interior. A basis for all future tasks had been laid very quickly without overstepping the budget and in a quality that had not been thought possible. The Frauenkirche, for some the most beautiful protestant church in the world, was destroyed in a useless attack to Dresden, at the end of WWII. Following the concentration on stone work over the past years, attention now turned to the artistic decoration of the interior. The inner cupola rested on these wide arcades. The reconstruction of the dome of the Dresden Frauenkirche was particularly complex and expensive. There were no archetypes for a building site of this size. In order to honor those who supported the reconstruction of the Frauenkirche a small exhibition area was created. The underside will be plastered and the top will be covered by an inserted ceiling. The height of the layers, joint covers and geometrical form of the stone had to harmonise. All of the building work had to be completed and all technical installations adjusted and tested by this date. Already its predecessor churches were dedicated to the Mother of God and called Frauenkirche. The cupola and spire cross were erected with a special crane in the course of a church service on June 22, 2004. The erection of the outer structure was the most important task in 1995. Various experiments were carried out by the Institute of Geotechnik and the Department of Structural Design at the Technical University Dresden. Today's master builders, however, benefit from the most up-to-date measuring methods and means. The photos for the publications on the occasion of the consecration could be now taken. Work could be finished on time with the laying of the window sill block above entrance G. Approximately 2,100 m³ of sandstone had been placed. Furthermore, there is a discussion about whether to reconstruct an exact replication of the original monument or to build a classical building relating more to the functional demands of today’s time. Manufacturing the falsework to support structural parts proved a particular challenge for the masters and carpenters. On February 13th 1945, 200 hundred years after the church was constructed, Dresden was bombed and completely destroyed, and along with it the magnificent Frauenkirche. The four evangelists and the Christian virtues of belief, love, hope and mercy proclaim God's word and will. But numerous difficulties had to be overcome beforehand. In the 18th century, the famous dome structure by George Bähr was built and dominated Dresden’s cityscape for 200 years. In December 1736, Johann Sebastian Bach played for the first time on the church’s organ and filled the listeners with joy and admiration. Due to the fate of the destruction and the successful reconstruction, the Dresden Frauenkirche has become a symbol of tolerance and peace worldwide. The rubble clearing process was done by the University of Dresden, Department of Structural Design, under the guidance of Prof. Wolfram Jaeger. The flood catastrophe in August also took its toll in the Frauenkirche. The three lower layers of this section could be placed in the same year. Complicated calculations with regard to the bearing concept were carried out to correct the flow of loads in bearing structure planning. Frauenkircke, Dresden A recently rebuilt Lutheran church that was destroyed in the fire bomb raid that devastated this city in February, 1945. When plans for the rebuilding of Dresden's Frauenkirche became certain, the (GHND) began calls for the reconstruction of the historic buildings that surrounded it. Millions of people have already visited the Frauenkirche. reconstruct the Frauenkirche according to archeological reconstruction principles. The massive contemporary black altar stone erected in the centre of the Lower Church is impressive and open to various interpretations. Photo: wikimedia.org/Foto:Fortepan, Nemeth Tamas. But it took 45 years for the realisation of this dream to become a feasible possibility. Joiners were building the parapets of the galleries in an unparalleled quality and installing noise-insulation shutters in front of the spire chamber windows. However, a solution was found: the load of approximately 270 t was lifted hydraulically in steps of 5 cm to a height of 24.5 m. This technique was further improved during later lifting processes. Architects often debate the reconstruction (or restoration) of historical monuments due to the high cost. New findings of engineering science had to be applied in a sensitive manner.