Restoration of the Frauenkirche
On the 13th February 2000, a new Orb and Cross, which
will crown the dome of the Frauenkirche, the Protestant
Cathedral of Dresden, was presented to its people. It
was a millennium gift of great significance, symbolising
reconciliation, peace and friendship between nations.
It was made possible by the work of the Dresden Trust
in Britain who had organised and funded its reconstruction.
Exactly 55 years before this event, on the 13th and
14th February 1945, the beautiful, baroque City of Dresden
was destroyed and very many inhabitants were killed,
during the Allied air raids. The Frauenkirche was not
destroyed during the bombing. It did collapse as a consequence
of the extreme temperatures generated in the firestorms,
which followed swiftly, through the old city.
The Frauenkirche lay in ruins until 1990, when a call
from Dresden for help with its rebuilding, gained worldwide
interest and support. In response to the appeal, the
Dresden Trust was formed in Britain soon afterwards.
Many individuals and some companies, including Rolls-Royce
plc helped to sponsor the work. At the request of the
people of Dresden, the Trust was asked, significantly,
to obtain the materials and to construct the German
designed Orb and Cross, in Britain. They were also to
help with the building of other parts of the Cathedral
and to provide educational scholarships.
The original cross was found in the ruins and removed
for analysis to assist with the reconstruction. The
Dresden Trust used this information to help them as
they organised the actual production of an accurate
and durable copy of the original Orb and Cross.
The finished Cross was first shown to the President
of Germany during a State Visit, as he arrived at Windsor
Castle. It was then on display at various sites at different
locations in Britain, including Coventry (twined with
Dresden) and Liverpool, themselves the targets of heavy
bombing during the Second World War.
The Orb and Cross was then transported to Dresden.
On the anniversary of the actual raid it was presented
by HRH the Duke of Kent to the people of Dresden, as
a millennium gift from the people of Britain. At the
end of the ceremony it was dramatically raised the 96
metres above the ground, over the rebuilding work, to
the exact spot where it will rest on the completion
of the dome. As the sound of "Give us Peace "
echoed from the people in the square.
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