St. Michael Basilica, Schongau, Germany

A significant sight of Altenstadt, Schongau, is the Romanesque basilica minor of St. Michael with remains of medieval wall painting and several examples of Romanesque sculpture.

The basilica was built between 1180 and 1220 as the parish church of the settlement later known as Altenstadt in Upper Bavaria, Schongau. The late Romanesque building, made of tuff stone, has been almost entirely preserved or restored in its medieval form. The basilica is the only vaulted sacral building of the late Romanesque style in Bavaria. The most famous and significant artwork in the basilica is the 'Great God of Altenstadt.' The monumental 3.20-meter-high crucifix is flanked by depictions of Mary and John (copies, with the originals found in the Bavarian National Museum in Munich), situated on the modern rood screen above the choir entrance. The artwork dates back to the early 13th century. Instead of a crown of thorns, the Savior wears a gold band, depicting him as Christ the King.

In the choir and nave, several Romanesque and early Gothic frescoes have been preserved or uncovered. In the right (southern) side aisle, above the baptismal font, one can see the crucifixion, while in the choir, there is an image of the Archangel Michael as the weigher of souls and the Annunciation. On the inside of the west wall, during the renovation of the old organ in 1994, an eight-meter-high representation of Saint Christopher (circa 1200) was uncovered. The original baptismal font from the time of the church's construction has also been preserved. The chalice-shaped basin features reliefs of the Archangel Michael, the Madonna with Child, Saint John the Baptist, and the baptism of Jesus.

Jan Hus Memorial

The Jan Hus Memorial stands at one end of Old Town Square. The huge monument depicts victorious Hussite warriors and Protestants who were forced into exile 200 years after Hus, and a young mother who symbolises national rebirth. The monument was so large that the sculptor designed and built his own villa and studio where the work could be carried out. It was unveiled in 1915 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus' martyrdom. The memorial was designed by Ladislav Šaloun and paid for solely by public donations.

Born in 1369, Hus became an influential religious thinker, philosopher, and reformer in Prague. He was a key predecessor to the Protestant movement of the sixteenth century. In his works he criticized religious moral decay of the Catholic Church. Accordingly, the Czech patriot Hus believed that mass should be given in the vernacular, or local language, rather than in Latin. He was inspired by the teachings of John Wycliffe.

Z X (22 months ago)
The solemn and simple St. Michael's Cathedral has remains of medieval frescoes and Romanesque sculptures. Of note are the Romanesque baptistery font and crucifixion. The church is surrounded by a cemetery, surrounded by late medieval walls with Romanesque arcades.

Alexander Gantner (3 years ago)
D6

dubikland (3 years ago)
Impressive

Rtch Slnss (5 years ago)
one of the best romantic churches in Bayern.

Andrew Parker (Andrew N Parker) (5 years ago)
A church as it should be. Plain and simple.

St. Michael Basilica

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Jan Hus Memorial