The Zwinger Courtyard In Dresden Germany Editorial Image

As you wander the cobblestone streets of Dresden, Germany, you’ll see a diverse blend of new and old—with vibrant hues of blue, pink and green storefronts dotting the alleyways and cityscape. These numerous bustling shops, restaurants and bars converge in Neumarkt Platz, with the Frauenkirche Church of our Lady standing tall as the centerpiece. Although a difficult story to tell, one would be remiss not to mention Dresden’s somber history during World War II. Near the end of the war in 1945, the British and American Air Forces dropped around 6,500 tons of explosives in multiple bombing raids on the city of Dresden. The controversial attack completely leveled the city and killed about 25,000 civilians. The city lay in utter ruin, until some historic institutions began reconstructing the “old` Dresden. The Zwinger, the Opera House, and a few churches were recreated, with the rest of the city rebuilt in modern styles.