Jena, March 20, 2026 – Yesterday, Thursday, the city of Jena commemorated the victims of the heaviest bombing raid 81 years ago. Due to renovation work on the Stadtkirche, this year’s ceremony took place at the stele in the Rathausgasse.
- Event: Commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the bombing of Jena
- Date: March 19, 2026
- Location: Memorial stele, Rathausgasse, Jena
- Actors: Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, City Pastor Andreas Simon
Memory of Destruction and Reconciliation
March 19 marked the 81st anniversary of the most devastating air raid on the “Lichtstadt” (City of Light). At the memorial stele, Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche and Andreas Simon, pastor of the Stadtkirche, addressed those present. The traditional commemorative service in the neighboring Stadtkirche could not be held as usual this year, as the historic house of worship is currently undergoing structural renovation.
The commemoration was also marked by international reconciliation: exactly three years ago, also on March 19, the congregation of the Jena Stadtkirche was officially admitted into the worldwide Community of the Cross of Nails from Coventry. This step in peace work was completed at that time through the symbolic handover of a Cross of Nails.
Background: March 19, 1945
Towards the end of the Second World War, Jena experienced several heavy Allied air raids. The attack on March 19, 1945, was the most consequential: large parts of the historic city center, including the old Rathaus, the Stadtkirche, and numerous residential quarters, were heavily damaged or reduced to rubble and ash. Several hundred people lost their lives that day. Today’s membership in the Community of the Cross of Nails – originating from the English city of Coventry, which was completely destroyed during the war – is considered a globally recognized symbol for peace, forgiveness, and active commitment to reconciliation after the horrors of war.
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Commemoration of the bombing of Jena
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