One of Dresden's primary landmarks, the Opera House is named after its designer, the architect Gottfried Semper who designed it twice. The first building was erecyed in 1838-41 and burned down in 1869. its replacement was was completed in 1878. Destroyed like so many buildings in the bombing raid of 1945, it wasn't until 1985 that reconstruction was complete. The building has been the venue for many world operatic premieres by Wagner and Strauss. The statue in front of the building is of King Johann.