Built in 1911 Gymnasium Dresden-Cotta stands proudly. It was once Saxony’s largest and most modern elementary school. Imagine 64 classrooms bustling with 3000 students. Boys and girls had separate entrances classrooms and playgrounds. The school even boasted a shower room a laundry room a library and a cooking classroom. This impressive building was the brainchild of architect Hans Erlwein. His design emphasized functionality clarity simplicity and harmony with its surroundings.
But Gymnasium Dresden-Cotta’s story is more than just impressive architecture. It reflects the tumultuous history of Dresden itself. The school opened in 1869 with just 138 students one teacher and a single classroom. Rapid growth necessitated multiple expansions. World War I impacted the school deeply. Sixty-five percent of the teachers were drafted five of whom perished in combat. The school’s copper features were even removed for war production. The harsh winter of 1916-1917 brought widespread hunger among the children.
The Nazi era saw the school used for propaganda events. Teachers deemed too progressive or critical of the regime faced consequences. World War II brought further devastation. Bombings in 1945 severely damaged the building destroying the school chronicle. Bullet holes from this era remained visible on the south wing until its 2005 renovation.
After the war the school was rebuilt. The central and north wings were restored. The middle section was even expanded but with altered roof features. The school served as an elementary school then a polytechnic secondary school. It finally became the Gymnasium Dresden-Cotta we know today in 1992. A recent multi-million euro renovation from 2021 to 2024 modernized the building for 1200 students. A new sports hall and a new cafeteria were added. A modern library now graces the south wing.
The school even has a nickname the Ruebezahlschule. This refers to a fresco of Ruebezahl a mythical figure. The original fresco was destroyed during the war but a new one was created in 1949. The legend of Ruebezahl is depicted in a relief inside the school today a testament to the school’s enduring connection to local folklore. Gymnasium Dresden-Cotta stands as a symbol of resilience education and the enduring spirit of Dresden. A remarkable school with a fascinating history.