Old Town in Dresden as seen from the bridge over the Elbe river.
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, while larger residential, industrial and military sites on the outskirts were relatively unscathed.
Probably around 200,000 people died, mostly women and children.
Many important historic buildings were rebuilt after the war, including the Semper Opera House, the Zwinger Palace and many others.