For decades the splendid Baroque church, known throughout Germany as the Frauenkirche, was a ruin - a bleak testament to the Allied bombing raids of February 1945. At least 25,000 people died in the raids and ensuing firestorms, which incinerated Dresden's old city, including the church.

Now, however, the Frauenkirche has been meticulously rebuilt, and its bell-shaped dome once again crowns the skyline. On Sunday, it is to be consecrated in a religious service attended by dozens of German leaders, foreign dignitaries and a crowd expected to number up to 100,000.