1. ‘Dresden from the Right Bank of the Elbe Below the Augustus Bridge’, painted by Bernardo Bellotto c.1750. This prospect drew artists and musicians as well as sophisticated European and American travellers.
1. ‘Dresden from the Right Bank of the Elbe Below the Augustus Bridge’, painted by Bernardo Bellotto c.1750. This prospect drew artists and musicians as well as sophisticated European and American travellers.
2. The stable courtyard of Dresden’s castle in the heart of the Altstadt, c.1930s. This part of the castle, built in the sixteenth century and with space for jousting, was restored after the destruction of the war.
2. The stable courtyard of Dresden’s castle in the heart of the Altstadt, c.1930s. This part of the castle, built in the sixteenth century and with space for jousting, was restored after the destruction of the war.
3. The Semper Opera House, one of Dresden’s cultural glories, remained open until January 1945. Its productions were internationally renowned, although at the start of the Nazi era its support for Jewish artists brought violent repercussions.
3. The Semper Opera House, one of Dresden’s cultural glories, remained open until January 1945. Its productions were internationally renowned, although at the start of the Nazi era its support for Jewish artists brought violent repercussions.
4. A rich panorama overlooking the Altstadt in the 1930s. With the baroque geometry of the Zwingergarten in the foreground, the steeple of the Catholic cathedral close by, the treasures of Dresden’s castle to the right and the dome of the Frauenkirche a few streets away, here was a landscape of architectural heritage.
4. A rich panorama overlooking the Altstadt in the 1930s. With the baroque geometry of the Zwingergarten in the foreground, the steeple of the Catholic cathedral close by, the treasures of Dresden’s castle to the right and the dome of the Frauenkirche a few streets away, here was a landscape of architectural heritage.
5. The Altmarkt was the centre of the city’s commerce, filled with sophisticated shops and restaurants. Author Erich Kästner recalled how, at the turn of the century, the square glowed with the colour of flower stalls.
5. The Altmarkt was the centre of the city’s commerce, filled with sophisticated shops and restaurants. Author Erich Kästner recalled how, at the turn of the century, the square glowed with the colour of flower stalls.
6. Designed by Ernst Giese and Paul Weidner in 1892, Dresden’s central railway station was a key link to the rest of Europe, lying on the main line from Berlin to Prague. Its elegant architecture was the first sight of the city for thousands of rural refugees from Silesia and Pomerania.
6. Designed by Ernst Giese and Paul Weidner in 1892, Dresden’s central railway station was a key link to the rest of Europe, lying on the main line from Berlin to Prague. Its elegant architecture was the first sight of the city for thousands of rural refugees from Silesia and Pomerania.
7. The Lutheran Church of Our Lady – the Frauenkirche – was a baroque masterpiece built in the eighteenth century by George Bähr; it had exquisite acoustics and was an aesthetic as well as religious draw for Dresdeners.
7. The Lutheran Church of Our Lady – the Frauenkirche – was a baroque masterpiece built in the eighteenth century by George Bähr; it had exquisite acoustics and was an aesthetic as well as religious draw for Dresdeners.
8. As overseas travel became available to more and more people in the early 1930s, Dresden was advertised in British newspapers as a tourist destination. Under the Nazi regime, visitors were escorted by Party officials.
8. As overseas travel became available to more and more people in the early 1930s, Dresden was advertised in British newspapers as a tourist destination. Under the Nazi regime, visitors were escorted by Party officials.
9. In early eighteenth-century Dresden, a young alchemist stumbled upon a secret that hitherto had been the preserve of the Chinese: porcelain. Dresden (and nearby Meissen) became synonymous with a sentimental style.
9. In early eighteenth-century Dresden, a young alchemist stumbled upon a secret that hitherto had been the preserve of the Chinese: porcelain. Dresden (and nearby Meissen) became synonymous with a sentimental style.
10. Dresden’s Hygiene Exhibition in 1911 proved so popular that a Hygiene Museum remains in the city today. The poster was not intended to imply totalitarian surveillance, but the developing scientific wonders of the time.
10. Dresden’s Hygiene Exhibition in 1911 proved so popular that a Hygiene Museum remains in the city today. The poster was not intended to imply totalitarian surveillance, but the developing scientific wonders of the time.
11. Hitler in front of the Zwinger Palace, 1934. The purpose of the Führer’s visit was to inaugurate German Theatre Week. When he attended a performance of Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde, eager crowds lined the streets to welcome him.
11. Hitler in front of the Zwinger Palace, 1934. The purpose of the Führer’s visit was to inaugurate German Theatre Week. When he attended a performance of Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde, eager crowds lined the streets to welcome him.
12. Richard Strauss, pictured in the 1930s with a member of the Dresden Opera Company. The composer adored Dresden and many of his operas received their premieres there, although his relationship with the Nazis was razor-edged.
12. Richard Strauss, pictured in the 1930s with a member of the Dresden Opera Company. The composer adored Dresden and many of his operas received their premieres there, although his relationship with the Nazis was razor-edged.
13. Hitler had a pathological loathing of modernist art, which he termed the product of ‘sick brains’. In 1933 Dresden became the first German city to stage exhibitions designed to shame the artists whose work was on display.
13. Hitler had a pathological loathing of modernist art, which he termed the product of ‘sick brains’. In 1933 Dresden became the first German city to stage exhibitions designed to shame the artists whose work was on display.
14. Having recently abdicated the British Crown, the Duke of Windsor visited Dresden in 1937, where he gave a speech praising the regime’s ideas for the working class before meeting Hitler. He is pictured with a scale model of the Zwinger Palace.
14. Having recently abdicated the British Crown, the Duke of Windsor visited Dresden in 1937, where he gave a speech praising the regime’s ideas for the working class before meeting Hitler. He is pictured with a scale model of the Zwinger Palace.
15. As with the Hitler Youth for German boys, membership of the League of German Girls was mandatory. In spite of the poisonous ideology, Dresden girls had a powerful sense of civic responsibility.
15. As with the Hitler Youth for German boys, membership of the League of German Girls was mandatory. In spite of the poisonous ideology, Dresden girls had a powerful sense of civic responsibility.
16. Dresden’s most powerful politician, Martin Mutschmann, was close to Hitler. A former lace-maker, the Gauleiter was mesmerized by tales of the dark forests and with folk art, an exhibition of which he is seen attending.
16. Dresden’s most powerful politician, Martin Mutschmann, was close to Hitler. A former lace-maker, the Gauleiter was mesmerized by tales of the dark forests and with folk art, an exhibition of which he is seen attending.
17. Dr Albert Fromme was Dresden’s most senior medical practitioner. He and his hospital colleagues kept working even in the midst of the inferno.
17. Dr Albert Fromme was Dresden’s most senior medical practitioner. He and his hospital colleagues kept working even in the midst of the inferno.
18. The acclaimed artist Otto Dix was one of Dresden’s most influential figures; after the First World War, he was haunted by recurring nightmares of being trapped in burning ruins.
18. The acclaimed artist Otto Dix was one of Dresden’s most influential figures; after the First World War, he was haunted by recurring nightmares of being trapped in burning ruins.
19. Professor Victor Klemperer, one of the very few Jews in Dresden to have survived the Nazi period. His diaries – which Jews were forbidden to keep – are an extraordinary record.
19. Professor Victor Klemperer, one of the very few Jews in Dresden to have survived the Nazi period. His diaries – which Jews were forbidden to keep – are an extraordinary record.
20. Otto Griebel’s Dresden art and his marionettes both had an anarchic undertone hated by the Nazis.
20. Otto Griebel’s Dresden art and his marionettes both had an anarchic undertone hated by the Nazis.
21. Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris of Bomber Command, seen at the board in the centre, was of acidic temperament, but was gregarious and inspired loyalty.
21. Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris of Bomber Command, seen at the board in the centre, was of acidic temperament, but was gregarious and inspired loyalty.
22. Bomb aimer Miles Tripp, far left, together with his bomber crew. This author-to-be wrote later of his crew’s friendship and dreams as they flew night after night through enemy fire, death an iron-cold expectation.
22. Bomb aimer Miles Tripp, far left, together with his bomber crew. This author-to-be wrote later of his crew’s friendship and dreams as they flew night after night through enemy fire, death an iron-cold expectation.
23. The American novelist Kurt Vonnegut was taken prisoner in the icy winter of 1944. On 13 February 1945 he and his fellow captives were being held in a Dresden abattoir. That night would inspire one of the most abiding novels of the twentieth century.
23. The American novelist Kurt Vonnegut was taken prisoner in the icy winter of 1944. On 13 February 1945 he and his fellow captives were being held in a Dresden abattoir. That night would inspire one of the most abiding novels of the twentieth century.
24. The conditions over Dresden on 13 February 1945 were unusually clear; vast ‘Cookie’ bombs were dropped, smashing through rows of buildings and instantly fragmenting entire streets.
24. The conditions over Dresden on 13 February 1945 were unusually clear; vast ‘Cookie’ bombs were dropped, smashing through rows of buildings and instantly fragmenting entire streets.
25. Bombers carried cameras that photographed the destruction. One bomb aimer described the lattice of light that the fiercely burning streets had become.
25. Bombers carried cameras that photographed the destruction. One bomb aimer described the lattice of light that the fiercely burning streets had become.
26. Terrified people sheltering on the ground below listened intently for the abrupt change of note as a plane’s bombs were released and the lightened craft suddenly gained altitude.
26. Terrified people sheltering on the ground below listened intently for the abrupt change of note as a plane’s bombs were released and the lightened craft suddenly gained altitude.
27. The firestorm generated temperatures that caused clothing to combust, tar to melt and cobbles and lamp posts to sear uncovered flesh. As the night wore on, the storm became an infernal tower of fire reaching almost a mile into the sky.
27. The firestorm generated temperatures that caused clothing to combust, tar to melt and cobbles and lamp posts to sear uncovered flesh. As the night wore on, the storm became an infernal tower of fire reaching almost a mile into the sky.
28. In the aftermath, the bombed city was almost impossible to negotiate. Rubble seethed with heat and once-familiar streets could no longer be identified.
28. In the aftermath, the bombed city was almost impossible to negotiate. Rubble seethed with heat and once-familiar streets could no longer be identified.
29. Emergency teams were summoned from Berlin to deal with the corpses. Desiccated and mummified on the surface, there were thousands more in brick basements beneath, chambers which had become ovens.
29. Emergency teams were summoned from Berlin to deal with the corpses. Desiccated and mummified on the surface, there were thousands more in brick basements beneath, chambers which had become ovens.
30. The American raid of 14 February was launched against an already pulverized city.
30. The American raid of 14 February was launched against an already pulverized city.
31. The most famous photograph of the devastation, taken by Richard Peter, depicted not a stone angel but a statue representing Goodness on the roof of Dresden City Hall, overlooking the unthinkable destruction in the south of the Altstadt.
31. The most famous photograph of the devastation, taken by Richard Peter, depicted not a stone angel but a statue representing Goodness on the roof of Dresden City Hall, overlooking the unthinkable destruction in the south of the Altstadt.
32. Given the dismembered or otherwise mutilated state of so many thousands of bodies, the authorities often had to rely on possessions to identify them.
32. Given the dismembered or otherwise mutilated state of so many thousands of bodies, the authorities often had to rely on possessions to identify them.
33. Thousands of bodies were burned on makeshift pyres in the central market square. The threat of pestilence amid the decay meant there was no time for conventional burial or cremation.
33. Thousands of bodies were burned on makeshift pyres in the central market square. The threat of pestilence amid the decay meant there was no time for conventional burial or cremation.
34. Prisoners of war had to dig bodies out of basements. Kurt Vonnegut later wrote that moving through these shattered streets was like walking on the moon.
34. Prisoners of war had to dig bodies out of basements. Kurt Vonnegut later wrote that moving through these shattered streets was like walking on the moon.
35. Amid the charnel-house horror, authorities also had to contend with many thousands of refugees, including great numbers of small children, who had to be fed, hydrated and found billets in villages around the city.
35. Amid the charnel-house horror, authorities also had to contend with many thousands of refugees, including great numbers of small children, who had to be fed, hydrated and found billets in villages around the city.
36. Already disoriented from trying to negotiate the city’s fragmented streets, survivors also had to cope with the noxious smell of burning materials mixed with what one survivor remembered as the ‘terrible sweetness’ of death.
36. Already disoriented from trying to negotiate the city’s fragmented streets, survivors also had to cope with the noxious smell of burning materials mixed with what one survivor remembered as the ‘terrible sweetness’ of death.
37. As the Nazi regime fell and the Soviets overtook Dresden, the labour of clearing the streets began. Tracks were laid for railway trucks to bear away the vast hills of rubble.
37. As the Nazi regime fell and the Soviets overtook Dresden, the labour of clearing the streets began. Tracks were laid for railway trucks to bear away the vast hills of rubble.
38. There were some volunteers for clearing, but Russian soldiers found means of pressing other less-willing citizens into labouring duties, including finding their identity papers ‘faulty’.
38. There were some volunteers for clearing, but Russian soldiers found means of pressing other less-willing citizens into labouring duties, including finding their identity papers ‘faulty’.
39. The destruction of the Zwinger Palace and gardens, amid the city’s other treasures, presented an ideological dilemma for the Soviet authorities: should such bourgeois structures be restored?
39. The destruction of the Zwinger Palace and gardens, amid the city’s other treasures, presented an ideological dilemma for the Soviet authorities: should such bourgeois structures be restored?
40. The Soviets were swift to impose their will on Dresden. Here we see hastily erected road signs in Russian.
40. The Soviets were swift to impose their will on Dresden. Here we see hastily erected road signs in Russian.
41. For Stalin, who refused Marshall Plan aid, the reconstruction of the city became a source of ideological pride. Propaganda posters emphasized the importance of ‘learning from the Soviet people’.
41. For Stalin, who refused Marshall Plan aid, the reconstruction of the city became a source of ideological pride. Propaganda posters emphasized the importance of ‘learning from the Soviet people’.
42. Many found the ruins eerie at night, others worried that violent attackers might lurk amid the rubble, but some found poetry in the sunsets over those shattered streets.
42. Many found the ruins eerie at night, others worried that violent attackers might lurk amid the rubble, but some found poetry in the sunsets over those shattered streets.
43. While the nearby Kreuzkirche was restored in the 1950s, the Frauenkirche remained an amputated stump on the square of the Neumarkt. The Soviets had no interest in restoring it.
43. While the nearby Kreuzkirche was restored in the 1950s, the Frauenkirche remained an amputated stump on the square of the Neumarkt. The Soviets had no interest in restoring it.
44. ‘Hill and Ploughed Field Near Dresden’, painted by Caspar David Friedrich c.1824, depicting the dome of the Frauenkirche through the trees. The city and its atmosphere coloured many of his more beguiling and unsettling works.
44. ‘Hill and Ploughed Field Near Dresden’, painted by Caspar David Friedrich c.1824, depicting the dome of the Frauenkirche through the trees. The city and its atmosphere coloured many of his more beguiling and unsettling works.
45. A detail from an epic mural gracing the wall of Dresden’s 1960s Communist Culture Palace, entitled ‘Way of the Red Flag’.
45. A detail from an epic mural gracing the wall of Dresden’s 1960s Communist Culture Palace, entitled ‘Way of the Red Flag’.
46. A tower block bearing, on its roof, the exhortation: ‘Socialism wins’. The city remained a crucible of artistic and inventive endeavour but the aesthetics of the streets changed, becoming starkly modernist and severe.
46. A tower block bearing, on its roof, the exhortation: ‘Socialism wins’. The city remained a crucible of artistic and inventive endeavour but the aesthetics of the streets changed, becoming starkly modernist and severe.
47. The ‘Procession of Princes’ mural, gracing the exterior wall of the castle stable courtyard, was entirely created using Meissen porcelain tiles in the early twentieth century – one of the more remarkable survivors of the bombing.
47. The ‘Procession of Princes’ mural, gracing the exterior wall of the castle stable courtyard, was entirely created using Meissen porcelain tiles in the early twentieth century – one of the more remarkable survivors of the bombing.
48. Despite the rigid uniformity, there was an impressive scale to Dresden’s 1960s housing constructions. Journalist Neal Ascherson noted ‘the Stalinist style’, although something similar was echoed throughout western Europe too.
48. Despite the rigid uniformity, there was an impressive scale to Dresden’s 1960s housing constructions. Journalist Neal Ascherson noted ‘the Stalinist style’, although something similar was echoed throughout western Europe too.
49. The once-exclusive shopping parade of Prager Strasse was transformed into a modernist precinct with fountains and state-owned shops. On one occasion in the 1950s, a shortage of sought-after ladies’ coats caused a near riot.
49. The once-exclusive shopping parade of Prager Strasse was transformed into a modernist precinct with fountains and state-owned shops. On one occasion in the 1950s, a shortage of sought-after ladies’ coats caused a near riot.
50. The futuristic flats of Prager Strasse commanded views to the surrounding hills. As the years wore on, Dresden housing schemes became noted for uncertain supplies of hot water and other maintenance failings.
50. The futuristic flats of Prager Strasse commanded views to the surrounding hills. As the years wore on, Dresden housing schemes became noted for uncertain supplies of hot water and other maintenance failings.
51. The young KGB agent Vladimir Putin greatly enjoyed his Dresden posting in the 1980s, fifteen years before he became Russian president. He was said to have been especially fond of the local Radeberger beer.
51. The young KGB agent Vladimir Putin greatly enjoyed his Dresden posting in the 1980s, fifteen years before he became Russian president. He was said to have been especially fond of the local Radeberger beer.
52. The choir of the Kreuzkirche had, under the baton of cantor Rudolf Mauersberger, entranced audiences across Europe and America before the war. After it, Mauersberger composed the Dresdner Requiem and continued to lead his renowned choir until his death in 1971.
52. The choir of the Kreuzkirche had, under the baton of cantor Rudolf Mauersberger, entranced audiences across Europe and America before the war. After it, Mauersberger composed the Dresdner Requiem and continued to lead his renowned choir until his death in 1971.
53. Even at the height of Nazi oppression, communist Elsa Frölich held her faith. When the Soviets took over, she immediately landed a civic role. The city saw many such astonishing reversals.
53. Even at the height of Nazi oppression, communist Elsa Frölich held her faith. When the Soviets took over, she immediately landed a civic role. The city saw many such astonishing reversals.
54. Novelist Erich Kästner, author of the much loved Emil and the Detectives, was born in Dresden. In the 1950s he returned and wrote a powerful eulogy to the city’s ruins.
54. Novelist Erich Kästner, author of the much loved Emil and the Detectives, was born in Dresden. In the 1950s he returned and wrote a powerful eulogy to the city’s ruins.
55. The eminent physicist Professor Heinrich Barkhausen had been pursuing his groundbreaking work in the city long before the Nazis rose. Having survived them, he stayed under the communists, who garlanded him with honours.
55. The eminent physicist Professor Heinrich Barkhausen had been pursuing his groundbreaking work in the city long before the Nazis rose. Having survived them, he stayed under the communists, who garlanded him with honours.
56. Under the Soviets, the gradual restoration of the Altstadt focused on civic rather than aesthetic priorities, but the Old Masters and other artworks were restored to the city from Moscow.
56. Under the Soviets, the gradual restoration of the Altstadt focused on civic rather than aesthetic priorities, but the Old Masters and other artworks were restored to the city from Moscow.
57. The rebuilt Frauenkirche – itself a feat of engineering ingenuity – was consecrated in 2005, sixty years after its destruction. The church stands as the emotional heart of the city.
57. The rebuilt Frauenkirche – itself a feat of engineering ingenuity – was consecrated in 2005, sixty years after its destruction. The church stands as the emotional heart of the city.
58. The bright interior of the Frauenkirche today dazzles visitors with colour and light. It is a symbol of remembrance and peace, reconciliation, atonement and, above all, friendship.
58. The bright interior of the Frauenkirche today dazzles visitors with colour and light. It is a symbol of remembrance and peace, reconciliation, atonement and, above all, friendship.