Treasures of Saxon State Library

The Frauenkirche

For over 200 years, the "Stone Bell" towered over the dome of the Frauenkirche in the inner city of Dresden. It gave the city a distinctive silhouette, until the bombings at the end of the Second World War destroyed the church. An intensive effort over the last few years to rebuild this world famous Protestant landmark gives justifiable hope that by the year 2006 -- the 800th anniversary of Dresden -- the Frauenkirche will again dominate the city's skyline.

The Frauenkirche is the work of the Dresden architect Georg Bähr (1666-1738), who was one of the greatest masters of German Baroque style. His design for the church captured the new spirit of the Protestant liturgy, in that altar, chancel, baptismal font, and organ were all centered directly in the view of the entire congregation, dominated by the bell-shaped stone dome.

The items exhibited here show the Frauenkirche, its surroundings, the architect's plans with governmental approval notations, and an original music manuscript of a work by Richard Wagner, which had its premiere in the church.

The Neumarkt (New Market) at Dresden, with the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)

This picture shows the Neumarkt at the beginning of the ninteenth century, looking from the Moritzstrasse to the Frauenkirche, the stately houses of the middle-class, and the Art Gallery, behind which the towers of the Castle and the Catholic Hofkirche rise. In the square before the Church of Our Lady is the Türkenbrunnen, commemorating Johann Georg III's victory over the Turks.

Artist unknown Dresden, Neumarkt with the Frauenkirche Late eighteenth, early nineteenth centuries Watercolor, pen and ink drawing (137)

Original elevation drawing of the Frauenkirche, by Georg Bähr, 1726

Known as the "Stone Bell," the dome of the Frauenkirche rose above Dresden for over 200 years until it was bombed during World War II. The church is being reconstructed for Dresden's 800th anniversary in 2006. Georg Bähr (1666-1738), architect of the church, was one of the great German Baroque builders. In keeping with traditions of Protestant worship, he created a central structure with the altar, pulpit, baptismal font, and organ all located in full view of the congregation beneath the bell-shaped stone dome. The original drawing is inscribed with the handwritten approval of Count August Christoph von Wackerbarth, superintendent of Saxon architecture.

Leaf taken from: Plans et élévations des différentes églises (Plans and Elevations of Various Churches) Early eighteenth century Colored pen and ink drawing (138)

Original score for Wagner's The Love Feast of the Apostles, which premiered at the Dresden Frauenkirche in 1843

Wagner, Hofkapellmeister in Dresden from 1842 until his flight in 1849, wrote this unique work as a dialogue between several choir groups, followed by the entrance of full orchestra. It premiered under Wagner's direction at the Dresden Frauenkirche on July 6, 1843. Twelve hundred Saxon singers are said to have participated in the choirs, and the event was an extraordinary success. The piece is an impressive testimony to the musical ability of Saxon singers.

Richard Wagner Das Liebesmahl der Apostel. Biblische Szene für Männerstimmen und grosses Orchester (The Love Feast of the Apostles. Biblical Scene for Male Voices and Large Orchestra) Dresden, 1843, pp. 22, 23 Autograph Score (139)

Illustration of the colorful uniforms of the Elector's army garrisoned at Dresden, 1791

Dresden, the capital of Albertinian Saxony since 1485, was expanded into a fortress in the sixteenth century. It was protected by the citizenry until 1587, when a regular garrison was established. Elector Johann Georg III (1647-1691) created a standing army in 1682 and the office of Commandant in 1692. One of the duties of the Commandant was opening and closing three city gates and lowering and raising the drawbridges. The illustration shows the Commandant and an adjutant standing in the Dresden Neumarkt, with the Frauenkirche and the Art Gallery to the left.

Friedrich Johann Christian Reinhold Uniformen der kurfürstlich sächsischen Armee (Uniforms of the Electoral Saxon Army) 1791, leaf 15 Paper (141)

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