George Bähr Facts for Kids

George Bähr was a famous German architect. He was born on March 15, 1666, and passed away on March 16, 1738. He is best known for designing the beautiful Frauenkirche church in Dresden.

Early Life and Dreams
Becoming a Master Builder
- First Church Designs
The Famous Frauenkirche
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Early Life and Dreams

George Bähr grew up in a poor family in Fürstenwalde, a village in Saxony. His father was a weaver. A kind village priest helped pay for George's schooling. This allowed him to become a carpenter's apprentice in Lauenstein, also in Saxony.

In 1690, Bähr moved to Dresden to work as a carpenter. He dreamed of visiting Italy to see its famous buildings. In his free time, he studied how things work, like a mechanic. He designed not only grand castles but also drew plans for organs.

Becoming a Master Builder

In 1705, when Bähr was 39, he became Dresden's City Master Carpenter. This was a big achievement because he didn't even have a formal certificate for it. Bähr wanted to make the city's churches more modern. He felt the old church buildings were not suitable for Protestant church services.

First Church Designs

Bähr's first church was the Loschwitz Church. It was finished in 1708. This church had a unique shape, like a stretched-out octagon.

Around 1710, he built the Orphanage Church in Dresden. Then came the Trinity Church in Schmiedeberg, in the Ore Mountains, built between 1713 and 1716. From 1719 to 1726, he built churches in Forchheim, Königstein, Hohnstein, and Kesselsdorf. He also designed many homes in Dresden.

The Famous Frauenkirche

George Bähr is most famous for designing the Frauenkirche in Dresden. He was given this important job in 1722. His design was approved in 1726, and construction began. From 1730, Bähr was called "Architect," a new title in Germany.

While working on the Frauenkirche, Bähr also helped with another church. He oversaw the building of the Dreikönigskirche in Dresden's Neustadt area. This church was designed by another architect, Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann.

George Bähr did not live to see the Frauenkirche finished. He passed away in Dresden at age 72. He was buried in the church's vaults. In 2004, a memorial was built for him at the castle in Lauenstein. This is where he first learned his carpentry skills.