How to visit the Frauenkirche (Dresden) and climb the dome: schedules

If there is a monument that is going to impress you during your Dresden visit, to the east of Germany, is undoubtedly the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Munich).

That is the name of the imposing baroque architectural style church who presides over Neumarkt square, the most important in the rebuilt historic center.

But beyond the majesty of its architecture, when you learn about the most recent history of this church you will be truly impressed by this example of the Germans' capacity for reconstruction after the Second World War.

You should not be surprised that in Dresden, a city known as Florence on the Elbe, you can see monuments as majestic as the baroque church Frauenkirche.

Curiosities history of the Dresden Frauenkirche

Its origins date back to a small hermitage from the 11th century, which in later centuries underwent various renovations, so that after the Protestant Reformation to be used as a cemetery church.

Finally, at the beginning of the 18th century, given the great deterioration of the Gothic building that the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Munich), it was decided to build a completely new baroque church.

In 1743 the new building was completed, which was built from sandstone, becoming the largest of its kind north of the Alps.

With a square exterior shape and four towers in the corners, the great dome of the Frauenkirche It was supported by eight large pillars so that it looked like a large bell.

Due to its configuration, the Dresden church It was very similar to other great churches such as Hagia Sophia in Istanbul or Saint Mary of Health in Venice.

How the Frauenkirche was destroyed in World War II

Key moment in history of the Frauenkirche happened during the second world warl, when on February 15, 1945, after the great fire caused by the British and American bombings, the walls of the church completely gave way, leaving a mass of rubble.

Although it appears that no bomb hit the building, its location in the building historic center of dresden Intensely bombed by the allies and the subsequent fire, led to one of the city's charismatic buildings being destroyed.

After the establishment of the German Democratic Republic, and after a first attempt to reconstruct the building, due to lack of financing it was finally decided to preserve the mass of rubble in the center of the city as a anti war memorial.

After the fall of Berlin Wall and in parallel to the German reunification process, during the 90s the project of rebuild the Frauenkirche, whose first stone was laid in March 1994.

What the new Dresden Frauenkirche is like

It was a collective project with popular financing, and given that the donations received exceeded what was initially expected, the new Frauenkirche It was completed in spring 2005.

Of course, the most modern technologies and materials were used in the construction, which became a reason for criticism.

A part of the stones used in the construction were recovered from the rubble of the church destroyed in the war, after the corresponding cataloguing.

This is not the case with the stones of the dome, all new and also made of sandstone. Saxony.

It should be noted that the current organ is a replica of the original organ of Silberman of 1736.

Of the eight bells in the current church, seven are newly cast, but one of them is the original bell. Cast in 1526, it was preserved as it was in another church when the city was bombed.

For their part, the paintings inside the dome were also restored following the design of the original paintings, based on slides.

Nowadays the Frauenkirche church It is one of the greats Dresden tourist attractions, having already been visited by millions of tourists since its reopening.

Of course, religious services are also held, but it is worth highlighting the concert schedule which takes place throughout the year, a great attraction for those of us who visit this German city.

How to climb the Frauenkirche dome in Dresden

In this regard, my advice is that, if possible, the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Munich) be the first visit you make in Dresden.

Specifically, you have the possibility of go up to the terrace of the dome from where you have excellent Panoramic views of this German city.

For climb the dome of the Frauenkirche You must access the interior of the church independently, which allows you to make this visit during times when the interior may be closed to visitors for religious services or concerts.

Specifically, you have to go to door G, on the northeast façade of the building, where you will take the elevator up the first section.

Then you will access the dome area, where you will go up a ramp that surrounds it.

In the final section you will have to climb a narrow and very steep staircase that will take you to the outdoor terrace; I can tell you that in total you will have risen 222 steps.

What to see from the terrace of the Fraunkirche in Dresden

The terrace is 67 meters high from the base, with a total height of the building of 91 meters.

There you will have close-up panoramic views of the elbe river as it passes through the city, as well as notable corners of it.

Specifically, in the foreground you have the residential palace, catholic cathedral, the building of the Opera Semperoper or the Bruhl Terrace next to the river.

Visiting hours of the Dresden Frauenkirche

The times to visit the Dresden Frauenkirche They are, from Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 13 p.m. to 18 p.m., and on Sundays, from 12,30:14,30 p.m. to 19,30:21,30 p.m. and from XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

In general you can attend organ concerts from Monday to Saturday at 12 noon and from Monday to Wednesday and Fridays at 18 p.m., and you can also sign up for guided tours of the Frauenkirche.

Schedules to climb the Frauenkirche dome in Dresden

The times to climb the dome of the Frauenkirche They are, from March to October, from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m., and on Sundays from 13 p.m. to 18 p.m.

The rest of the year, the closing time for access to the dome is 16 p.m.

Frauenkirche dome ticket prices

El price of admission It is 10 euros per person, and 5 euros for children from 6 to 16 years old, students, unemployed and pensioners.