Anniversary of the Hofkirche in Zwickau: a hidden historical jewel
Anniversary of the Hofkirche in Zwickau: a hidden historical jewel
Römerplatz 5, 08056 Zwickau, Deutschland - In Cologne there is a church that hardly anyone notices in passing-the Evangelical Lutheran St. Petri Church at Römerplatz 5. Old writings on the facade indicate the historical importance of the courtyard, but only a small inscription is reminiscent of the church itself. The parishioners, including the resident Andreas Voigt, enjoy the sound of the organ, which sounds from his apartment on the upper floor. The St. Petri Church is also lovingly referred to by the believers as a court church, a name that underlines the intimate connection of the community to their church.
The Petrikirche in Berlin, which was first mentioned in the 13th century, represents an interesting comparison. As the [Wikipedia] (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrikirche_ (Berlin-Mitte)) reports, it was built from 1200 to 1230. Over the centuries, she experienced numerous conversions and renovations - especially after severe damage from fire and storm. The church tower, which was built in 1440, fell victim to a collapse in 1734, and in 1809 the church burned down to the foundations. A new building in the neo -Gothic style followed, but this too could not escape the destruction of the Second World War. The ruins were removed in the 1960s, while archaeological excavations revealed exciting finds that show the extensive history of the church.
A look at the Reformation and its influence
The Reformation, which began in Germany in the 16th century, had not only far-reaching effects on the faith community, but also on the church building itself. According to the German Foundation Monument Protection Reformers existing churches to the needs of their communities. Under Martin Luther, churches were no longer seen exclusively as sacred places, but as assembly houses for the believers. This led to a fundamental change in the design of the church rooms. The pastor, now as "Primus Inter Pares", was equal among the believers, which was reflected in the arrangement of the pulpit and altar.
It was important that the altar, which was considered the central place for the common sacrament celebration of the community, received a new emphasis. Before the Reformation, altars were often magnificent and geared towards the saints. With the reform movement, the statues of Mary and saints and saints lost their importance, and the relationship between the faithful and God has been more closely made up. The baptismal basin was increasingly placed in the room, which brought the importance of baptism to the foreground as an entry rite.The architectural gates of this time showed a departure from the earlier design and opened space for new spatial forms, which were largely shaped by the needs of the Protestant communities. With this development, the transformation of the Evangelical Lutheran St. Petri Church at Römerplatz 5 in Cologne is also more tangible-a small but loyal image of the large currents in church history.
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| Ort | Römerplatz 5, 08056 Zwickau, Deutschland |
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