Matthias Gretzschel

Matthias Gretzschel was born near Dresden in 1957 and grew up in Dresden. After training as a bookseller and completing alternative civilian service as a construction soldier, he studied Protestant theology at Leipzig University. In 1988, he received his doctorate in Christian archaeology and ecclesiastical art. He subsequently worked as a freelance author and journalist before serving as a culture editor at the Hamburger Abendblatt from 1990 to 2017. Gretzschel has written numerous books and illustrated volumes on cultural history, including works about buildings, cities, and landscapes. His books include The Frauenkirche in Dresden, In the Footsteps of Martin Luther, and When Dresden Was Engulfed in Fire.