Otto Galle Stone

Who was Otto Galle? Here at the Otto Galle Stone, that question hangs in the air. This unassuming memorial marks a life intertwined with Dresden’s tumultuous 20th century. Otto Galle, a Dresden native, was more than just a name etched in stone. He was a shoemaker, a World War I veteran, a husband, and a father of two daughters. He lived with his family at Kyffhäuserstraße 30. He was also a staunch communist, a member of the KPD, and a fierce resistor of Nazi oppression. Otto Galle’s story is one of courage and defiance in the face of tyranny. After the Nazis seized power, Galle became a vital link to prisoners held at KZ Hohnstein, smuggling illegal materials into the fortress. This bravery led to his arrest in 1934 and imprisonment for his communist activities. Even after his release, Galle remained connected to Dresden resistance groups. He worked alongside figures like Paul Gruner and Herbert Blochwitz. In 1943, he joined Kurt Schlosser’s resistance group. This continued defiance led to his final arrest in December 1943. Alongside Kurt Schlosser, Herbert Blochwitz, and Arthur Weineck, Galle was sentenced to death for a supposed “communist coup attempt.” On August 16, 1944, all four men were executed in the courtyard of the Landgericht am Münchner Platz. Today, his urn rests in the Ehrenhain at the Heidefriedhof. The Otto Galle Stone serves not only as a memorial to Galle but also as a reminder of the struggle against fascism in Dresden. It stands as a stark contrast to the reconstructed beauty of the city. It whispers stories of resistance, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of those who fought for freedom. It encourages us to remember Otto Galle, not just as a name on a stone, but as a symbol of Dresden’s unwavering spirit.