Historical photo exhibition shows Würzburg's connection to Coventry

Historical photo exhibition shows Würzburg's connection to Coventry

On October 30, 2025, the photo exhibition “Central England around Coventry” opened at the Matthias Ehrenfried Generation Center at Bahnhofstrasse 4-6 in Würzburg. This exhibition, which was initiated by the German-British Society in Würzburg, offers a deep insight into a trip to Central England and Coventry in 2016. The German-British Society was also able to win over the Nagelkreuzzentrum Würzburg and the parish of St. Paul in Heidingsfeld to organize the exhibition.

At the opening, Alexander Kolbow, head of the education department, vividly recalled the devastating bombing raid on the city of Würzburg on March 16, 1945. That evening, when 500 British bombers bombed the city between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people were killed and 90% of the historic old town was destroyed. These terrible consequences are still ingrained in people's memories today; The church bells in Würzburg ring every year on March 16th in memory of the victims of the attack.

Significance of the exhibition

In his speech, Mayor Martin Heilig emphasized the central role of the exhibition, which stands for peace and humanity. The photographs shown, presented by Elke Wagner from the German-British Society, document not only the beauty of the landscapes in Central England, but also the bridges that can be built between cultures. Particular attention was paid to the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral, which was badly damaged during the Second World War and has become a symbol of reconciliation and reconstruction.

Visitors to the exhibition have the opportunity to admire the photographs until December 19, 2025, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After the exhibition ends, the pictures can be purchased for 25 euros, with the proceeds going to a charitable cause.

The air raid on Würzburg

The air raid on Würzburg was part of a larger offensive initiated by the Casablanca Directive of January 21, 1943. Despite Würzburg's classification as a city of little importance for the armaments industry, the destruction was devastating. Some 21,062 homes and 35 churches were destroyed, reducing the city's former population of 108,000 to about 5,000. After the attack, the bomb victims found their final resting place in a mass grave in Würzburg Cathedral.

The destruction in the city area was enormous: While the city center was 90% destroyed, the outskirts suffered 68% damage. This presented the city administration with major challenges. Only after the conquest by US troops in April 1945 were measures taken to secure the monuments.

Overall, the current exhibition “Middle England around Coventry” not only shows the history and culture of another region, but also makes an important connection to local events and encourages reflection on peace and reconciliation.