Trinitatiskirche, Dresden.
Aug 20th, 2007 by B.
Hands down my favorite church in Dresden. And that’s really saying something considering we have the world-renown Frauenkirche. The difference, I suppose, is that Trinitatiskirche remains untouched since the 1945 bombings. I drive by it at least 3-4 times a week, and it never ceases to amaze me. War is such a shitty thing… what Hitler did was terrible and criminal and deserving of punishment, but what the Allied Forces did to Dresden was also terrible. I guess it just goes to show that no matter how you do the math, two wrongs will never, ever equal a right. This church stands as a tribute to that.
Even better- it’s not just a shrine to past atrocities, it’s still a semi-functioning building (within its limits)! You can rent it for gatherings (with the funds used to preserve it) or host a party/concert, even play volleyball inside the ruins… and there’s a playground around back used by the kindergarten across the street. I think this speaks volumes to the spirit and resiliency of Dresden and its citizens. Kind of like saying ‘look, see what happened to us… mark it and never forget… but life goes on’.
Trinitatiskirche- built in 1891/94 by Karl Barth in the Neo-Renaissance style and in use of the Trinitatis-congregation which exists since 1888. It is one of the few remaining ruins of the Second World War, some others were taken down in the time of Walter Ulbricht. Since the reconstruction of the church “Frauenkirche” will be completed soon thoughts have been expressed to keep the remains of this church as they are in remembrance of the tragic events of the Dresden-bombing in February 1945. Parts of the cellar and the side buildings are being used for services and other activities of the congregation.
On this day..
- Oy. - 2008
For such a sad history, it looks so peaceful there. You captured it well.
Oh wow, that is a gorgeous church. Too bad I only have one week in Germany and I’m in the Wiesbaden area. I can’t really ask my friend to drive me to Dresden, maybe next trip. I am going to Trier though, Unesco Site and lots of old Roman buildings…Great Photo’s…ciao
Rositta- Trier’s gorgeous! Enjoy your time in the fatherland!
That’s lovely!
Good choice. I’ve gone by this church literally hundreds of times (going to and from work). It was kinda weird during the world cup watching hundreds of drunk belligerent teens stumble out of there after they showed games on a big screen.
I have to say my favorite, though, is Martins-Luther Kirche. My local church. The platz there is just what you expect Europe to be as an American. And I hear the bells. And I got to climb to the top once.
Alex- Yipes! I didn’t realize you were religious… (must tone down use of four letter words and rhetoric on your website!)
Martin-Luther Kirche, that’s the one near the frauenkirche, right? On the other side of the bridge… where they always have the horse-drawn carriage rides? It really is a beautiful church.
Who said I was religious? It’s the church closest to my house. They opened it up during BRN and you could walk to the top. It’s in Martins-Luther Platz. In Neustadt.
Alex, my bad. I read your comment a little too quickly this morning and thought the ‘my local church’ meant the one you attend.
Then I felt guilty for not being, I don’t know, sensitive to it or something. I have several blogging pals who are spiritual/religious, and I always make a point of being respectful and toning down what I say and/or how I say it when I visit their blog(s).
I just felt badly that maybe I hadn’t done that in this case… which would’ve been rude of me.
Thanks for sharing the nice photos.
Another church, maybe not my favourite one but one to be mentioned: the St. Pauli church is still in ruins from WW II and nevertheless used for various activities. It is located in the Hechtviertel (Königsbrücker Platz) and is used for open air theater (with their own little theater company and quite innovative productions) and concerts during summer season. The church was built from red brick stones with about 1000 seats and a tower of 78 meters, consecrated in 1891, destroyed in 1945.
Sabi, thanks for the tip! I’ll have to check out St. Pauli…
P.S.: The German version of the European Heritage Days with this year’s topic “Places of contemplation and prayer- historical religious buildings” takes place on Sunday Sept. 9 and a lot a historical buildings and churches are open.