Dresden was awfully damaged during the heavy bombing in three waves of attacks between 13 and 15 February 1945, done by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Force.
Almost all of the ancient centre of the city was destroyed.
The inhabited city centre was almost wiped out, probably around 200,000 people died, mostly women and children.

Many important historic buildings were rebuilt after the war.
One of the biggest reconstruction projects in Germany has been conducted here in 2005-2008.
The area around the Frauenkirche has been rebuilt in a classic and modern way - most buildings has been reconstructed along with some modern additions.