Theaterruine St. Pauli, Dresden

The St. Pauli Theater Ruin is the ruins of the St. Pauli Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dresden's Hechtviertel residential area, used as a summer theater and house of worship.

The foundation stone of the three-nave hall church designed by Dresden architect Christian Schramm was laid on May 31, 1889. On February 4, 1891, the church was consecrated and could accommodate 1000 worshippers.

The church was heavily damaged in air raids by the United States Air Force on January 16 and March 2, 1945.

Members of the parish deconstructed the building from 1965 to 1969 in voluntary work and partially renovated it. Only the outer walls and the tower without the spire are preserved.

In 1996, a 50-year leasehold contract was concluded between the parish as owner and Stesad GmbH and Stesad began with securing measures.

In 1997 the ruin opened as a cultural and meeting place.

Among other things, the window openings will be partially closed as part of the noise protection for the residents. From 2010 to 2012, the ruin will be comprehensively expanded and renovated at a cost of EUR 2.6 million. In particular, a 400 square meter glass roof was erected.

Since 1999, the tenant has been TheaterRuine St. Pauli e.V. The annual rent including operating costs is EUR 50,000.

In 2017, the Bierling foundry recast the bell and put it back into operation. Since then, it rings daily and at church services during the summer months.