© Alina Werner

Metal trail of remembrance on the Altmarkt in Dresden

At a glance

On 19 January 2024, a new information stele was erected on Dresden's Altmarkt square to commemorate the bombing of the city in February 1945. This replaces the stele erected in 2020, which was damaged during construction work in October 2023.

The stele provides information about the memorial site, which is marked by a metal memorial mark in the paving of the square. This memorial was created in 2005 by artist Einhart Grotegut to mark the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Dresden and the subsequent burning of bodies on the Altmarkt.

The inscription on the stele reads:

"The bodies of 6,865 people were burned on this spot from the end of February to the beginning of March 1945. Their ashes were buried in a mass grave at the Heidefriedhof cemetery. They were victims of the bombing raids on Dresden from 13 to 15 February 1945, in which 25,000 people lost their lives. In 2005 - to mark the 60th anniversary of the memorial - the artist Einhart Grotegut made a metal memorial mark in the paving of the square. The Altmarkt is also marked by a "memorial depot", which marks the site as part of the history of remembrance of the Second World War. Since 1945, 13 February has been one of the most important days of remembrance in the state capital of Dresden. Since then, the day of remembrance has repeatedly been politically instrumentalised and reinterpreted. On 13 February, the victims of the bombing as a result of the Second World War started by Germany and the millions who died under National Socialist tyranny are commemorated. Dresden is aware of its historical responsibility for these crimes against humanity. This commemoration is a reminder to maintain and promote peace in Europe and worldwide."

The Altmarkt is therefore a central place of remembrance of the destruction of Dresden in the Second World War and a reminder of the consequences of war, hatred and destruction.

Contact

Altmarkt Dresden
Altmarkt
01067 Dresden
Deutschland

Contact:
Phone: +49 351 4880
Email:
Website: www.dresden.de

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