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Dresden,
once known as "Florence on the Elbe," was celebrated throughout
Europe for its architecture and art treasures. Then came the night
of February 13, 1945, when Allied bombers rained down phosphorus and
high-explosive bombs on the city, which had no military targets. By
morning, the Dresden of legend was but a memory. No one knows for
sure how many died, but the number is certainly in the tens of
thousands, and perhaps more. If you're interested in the subject,
you might want to read Kurt Vonnegut's novel Slaughterhouse Five.
Today, Dresden is undergoing a rapid and dramatic restoration, and
is once again a major sightseeing destination. For example, its
once-fabled Schloss (castle), for decades only a few blackened walls,
is scheduled to be completely rebuilt by late 2003. Dresden also
boasts beautiful churches and palaces, as well as many world-class
museums - among the finest in all of Germany.
City officials want the entire city rebuilt by 2006 in time for
Dresden's 800th anniversary. |
