The destruction of Dresden

Three months before the end of the Second World War, a series of five air raids between 13th and 15th February 1945 practically erased the centre of Dresden and extensive areas of the suburbs. At least 25,000 people lost their lives.

The culturally and historically so valuable city centre was buried under 18 million cubic metres of rubble. Under indescribably arduous conditions, the remaining inhabitants of Dresden spared no effort in their attempts to restore the vital functions of the mortally afflicted city.

On 8th May 1945, the Soviet army occupied Dresden.