University Church of Marburg
Encyclopedia
The University Church of Marburg is a 13th century, asymmetric, two-aisled hall church
in Marburg
, Hesse
.
. The Dominican Order
originally received permission from Henry I, Landgrave of Hesse
to build a monastery
and church. The Dominicans were popular among the population because they contributed to the poor and health care expenses. They received generous donations which enabled them to richly endow the church, built in dedication to John the Baptist
.
In 1527, after the introduction of Protestant Reformation
in the Landgraviate of Hesse
, the monastery was secularized
and its property was handed over as the material foundation for the newly formed Philipps University, which taught in the monastery buildings until 1873. The University Church was also used for funerals of former professors. At times, the buildings around the church were used as granaries
. In 1653, after the Thirty Years' War
, the university and the church were re-opened by William VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel
.
A redesign and refurbishing of the interior was completed in 1927 on occasion of the 400th anniversary of the university under the auspices of the then priest Karl Bernhard Ritter.
When one enters the nave through the west gate, one faces directly towards the choir, which was erected first. There are three panel windows with tracery in the choir, though they have been altered or replaced. The Organ is also located in the choir. The elaborately worked choir screen, which separates the choir from the nave, dates from 1927, the 400th anniversary of the university. It was added post hoc, just like the galleries and the organ.
Even if a south side aisle were planned, it would not be possible, because the alley is already there, and therefore the necessary space is lacking. Thus the side aisle is located on the north side, next to the alley. On the south side, the buttresses, which customarily reach outwards, as evidenced on the north side, have been relocated to the inside. Since the former cloister was attached to the facade of the south wall, relocation to the inside seemed to be the best alternative. Besides, there is a full length gallery inside the church on the south side.
There is a turret on the roof. It is mentioned in the literature that the Dominicans, as a mendicant order, were not entitled to build a tower, so they built a ridge turret instead. The roof was completed after the construction of the choir in 1420.
Hall church
A hall church is a church with nave and side aisles of approximately equal height, often united under a single immense roof. The term was first coined in the mid-19th century by the pioneering German art historian Wilhelm Lübke....
in Marburg
Marburg
Marburg is a city in the state of Hesse, Germany, on the River Lahn. It is the main town of the Marburg-Biedenkopf district and its population, as of March 2010, was 79,911.- Founding and early history :...
, Hesse
Hesse
Hesse or Hessia is both a cultural region of Germany and the name of an individual German state.* The cultural region of Hesse includes both the State of Hesse and the area known as Rhenish Hesse in the neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate state...
.
History
The foundation of the church came in 1291, the era of Gothic architectureGothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
. The Dominican Order
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
originally received permission from Henry I, Landgrave of Hesse
Henry I, Landgrave of Hesse
Henry I of Hesse "the Child" was the first Landgrave of Hesse. He was the son of Henry II, Duke of Brabant and Sophie of Thuringia.-Life:...
to build a monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
and church. The Dominicans were popular among the population because they contributed to the poor and health care expenses. They received generous donations which enabled them to richly endow the church, built in dedication to John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
.
In 1527, after the introduction of Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
in the Landgraviate of Hesse
Landgraviate of Hesse
The Landgraviate of Hesse was a Landgraviate of the Holy Roman Empire. It existed as a unity from 1264 to 1567, when it was divided between the sons of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse.-History:...
, the monastery was secularized
Secularization
Secularization is the transformation of a society from close identification with religious values and institutions toward non-religious values and secular institutions...
and its property was handed over as the material foundation for the newly formed Philipps University, which taught in the monastery buildings until 1873. The University Church was also used for funerals of former professors. At times, the buildings around the church were used as granaries
Granary
A granary is a storehouse for threshed grain or animal feed. In ancient or primitive granaries, pottery is the most common use of storage in these buildings. Granaries are often built above the ground to keep the stored food away from mice and other animals.-Early origins:From ancient times grain...
. In 1653, after the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
, the university and the church were re-opened by William VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel
William VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel
William VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel , known as William the Just, was Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel from 1637 to 1663.-Life:...
.
A redesign and refurbishing of the interior was completed in 1927 on occasion of the 400th anniversary of the university under the auspices of the then priest Karl Bernhard Ritter.
Specifications
The church is asymmetrical with two spans. Side aisle and center aisle have the same height. It has only a nave, and a transept is not present. The church is accessible via two entrances, the west gate and the north gate. The polygonal choir across from the nave is somewhat elevated. The church and choir are oriented to the east. It directly adjoins the convent, the later premises of the Old University, and is thus not freestanding.When one enters the nave through the west gate, one faces directly towards the choir, which was erected first. There are three panel windows with tracery in the choir, though they have been altered or replaced. The Organ is also located in the choir. The elaborately worked choir screen, which separates the choir from the nave, dates from 1927, the 400th anniversary of the university. It was added post hoc, just like the galleries and the organ.
Even if a south side aisle were planned, it would not be possible, because the alley is already there, and therefore the necessary space is lacking. Thus the side aisle is located on the north side, next to the alley. On the south side, the buttresses, which customarily reach outwards, as evidenced on the north side, have been relocated to the inside. Since the former cloister was attached to the facade of the south wall, relocation to the inside seemed to be the best alternative. Besides, there is a full length gallery inside the church on the south side.
There is a turret on the roof. It is mentioned in the literature that the Dominicans, as a mendicant order, were not entitled to build a tower, so they built a ridge turret instead. The roof was completed after the construction of the choir in 1420.