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The Frauenkirche, built in the 1700s, used to stretch 93 metres into the Dresden skyline and was the most important Protestant church in Germany. The impressive baroque creation which took 17 years to build was laid to ruin in the blitz of 13/14 February 1945. The church was left in its destroyed state as a memorial to the war and to the thousands who died that night until 1990 when the decision was taken to rebuild it. Since then funds have come from all over the international community to rebuild the once proud and decorious church. Using the original stones, the jigsaw of rubble has been meticulously pieced back together with additional sandstone coming from Saxon Switzerland, the original source of material. This seemingly impossible task will be completed in time for Dresden's 800 year anniversary celebrations in 2006. It is a symbollic step for Dresden's success in recreating its former glory and now as a memorial to peace and reconciliation.