Day 6

After breakfast we set off with a local guide for a Dresden city walking tour. This was a real highlight of our holiday. Dresden was almost flattened by allied bombing towards the end of the second World War, and then the main building during the communist era was soulless blocks of flats. Since the Wall came down in 1989 the citizens of Dresden have worked miracles, much with money from America and Great Britain. Now, there is very little damage left. Some of the buildings have been rebuilt in a modern style, some in a more traditional style, so that it really looks as if it has evolved over time. 

Unfortunately, my camera battery ran out after taking a few shots and I'd forgotten to take the spare battery with me. What a twerp!

Sadly, I don't have photographs of the Church of our Lady, but it was beautiful. It was almost completely flattened and the rebuilding was finished only a few years ago. I was really interested to see a cross of nails on the altar. When I was thirteen we moved to Coventry and I was lucky enough to attend the consecration of the new Cathedral and to be among the first group of youngsters to be confirmed there. Coventry was bombed during WWII and the old Cathedral was completely lost. A powerful symbol was created by a cross being made from nails found in the ruins. Similar crosses of nails were sent from Coventry to Kiel, Dresden and Berlin in the early years after the war as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.

In the afternoon I had a rest and then watched a lace walking demonstration late afternoon. Our evening event was really special. Three musicians from the Semper Opera House came to give us a recital, a mix of classical and light classical music. This was a real treat.