Today we are visiting Marienkirche (St Mary’s Church), located in Rostock, a city in northern Germany. After a walk through the town square we come across this charming church and enter into the dazzling interior, the whitewashed wall reflecting the light of the bright day outside.
Marienkirche is mentioned for the first time in history in 1230. Later it was enlarged to become a Romanesque basilica and like most churches of this age, its construction spanned more than a century. Not only was the construction lengthy but it has also been rebuilt and extended numerous times since it was completed. This includes the addition of the Gothic choir in the 14h century and the tower in the 15th century. If the changes to the church’s plans and layout aren’t enough, consider that it has also served more than one religion. During the Great Reformation in 1532, St Mary’s Catholic Church became an Evangelical-Lutheran place of worship.
As well as it’s rich history, there are certainly some wonderful features of the church and in the items that it now houses. However, perhaps the most miraculous is the fact that it survived the destruction of WWII when much of the surrounding town was completely destroyed.
The Altar
Most churches have a pretty or at least meaningful altar. This church has had several. Marienkirche’s main altar dates to 1721 and was carved in wood by a Berlin master craftsman. Its three tables show the Last Supper, the Resurrection and the Effusion of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps more eye catching is the exquisite carving and bright painted color of the intricate altar rescued from the St. Nikolai church.
Prior to the Great Reformation, there were a total of 39 side altars here. Of these, the Altar of St. Rochus is the only remaining original. Dated 1515, it depicts St. Rochus who was venerated as the Patron of people afflicted by the plague and was donated by the guild of surgeons and barbers.
The Pulpit
Another truly wonderful feature is the exceedingly decorative pulpit. The pulpit was carved by a Flemish craftsman, Rudolf Stockmann of Antwerp in 1574. After the 1532 Reformation, the sermon became a feature of the church service and the pulpit serves this feature well. Delicately carved scenes of the Life of Christ – His birth, Adoration of the Magi, Baptism, Holy Supper, Crucifixion, Ressurection and Effusion of the Spirit – curve their way under the bannister, forming the pulpit itself. I can’t help but wonder if this helped to keep the congregation amused during some of the sermons. The ‘lid’ or canopy above the pulpit is a later work added around 1723.
The Pipe Organ
Slightly further back on the southern wall is a Baroque masterpiece, a composition of organ and gallery. The Princely gallery was erected in 1760 for Prince Christian Ludwig. He was a Mecklenburg ruler and an eminent sponsor of art and Church. The enormous pipe organ has 5702 pipes, 83 stops and 4 manuals. It’s size dwarfs the congregation and even other features in the church like the orate pulpit.
Below the princely gallery at ground level, are the pews which in former years were reserved for the aldermen of the City and professors of Rostock university.
Tapestries
I love a good tapestry and there is a small collection to admire here, located in the north-west corner. An Altar tapestry shows Mary in a rose garden surrounded by biblical scenes (c.1350). Another is a Madonna of the same era (c.1350) and a ‘wedding cloth’ and pulpit of Church Ruben (1580) CHECK THIS.
The Baptismal Font
A medieval bronze baptismal font (1290) has reliefs expressing furher biblical scenes, with God as creator, redeemer and Spirit as well as the Life of Jesus. The four carriers – Earth, Water, Fire & Air – represent the elements of creation.
The walls of the basin show the life of Jesus in whom God came to earth as redeemer. The lid depicts God’s work of man’s sanctification in the Spirit of Baptism, Ascension as well as the biblical parable of the wise and foolish virgins.
The Astronomical Clock
There is also a fairly incredible astronomical clock hidden at the back of the main altar. In fact this is one of the most notable features of the Marienkirche in Rostock.
It was built in the 1472 by Hans Dühringer and is still in working order, a true masterpiece of the Nuremberg clock workshops. Recognised for its particularly intricate design, it shows not only hours but days, months and year. Astonishingly it also includes rotating figures representing the four ages of man, as well as the phases of the sun, moon and zodiac. It contains computations of the dates of Easter up until 2017 and depicts an Apostles’ Procession every day at noon.
There are more treasures to explore but given our limited time and the lure of caffeine, morning tea is firmly back on the agenda. We step back out into the sunlight and walk back towards the town square seeking a suitable spot.
Good To Know
The Marienkirche Rostock has played an important role in the religious and cultural life of Rostock and the surrounding region throughout its history. Today, it is still an active church as well as being a popular tourist destination. The Church attracts visitors from around the world who come to admire its beautiful architecture and historic artifacts.
Would I Return?
Yes. If only to check out the astronomical clock in further detail.
