Stiftskirche, Stuttgart, Germany

The Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church) is the main church of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Württemberg. Structures of a small Romanesque church from the 10th and 11th centuries could recently be traced as having been exactly in today's church outline.

In 1240, a stately three-naved church with two towers was built in the Romanic style, apparently by the Counts of Württemberg who from around that time were residing in the nearby Old Castle. From the end of the 13th century a double tomb is preserved in today's South tower chapel. It contains the remains of Ulrich I, Count of Württemberg and his second wife, Countess of Württemberg, Agnes von Schlesien-Liegnitz (both died in 1265).

With Stuttgart the new residence of the rulers of Württemberg, a new Gothic chancel was built from 1321 to 1347. To it was added a Late Gothic nave in the second half of the 15th century by Ulrich V. In 1500, a coloured, later (from the 19th century) golden pulpit was added.

With the adoption of the Lutheran Protestant Reformation in Württemberg in 1534, all pictures and altars were removed from the naves, pewage and a gallery were added. The tombstones were moved to the interior of the church. From 1574, small statues of all the Counts of Württemberg (i.e. since Ulrich I) were added at the North wall of the chancel.

In 1608, a new grave crypt or burial vault was added. All of the Württemberg rulers until 1677 were buried there. Catherine Pavlovna of Russia, Queen of Württemberg from 1816 until 1819, was buried here from 1819 to 1824, before her remains were brought to a mausoleum on the Württemberg mountain.

In 1826, the roof of the chancel was renovated, as was most of the interior of the church in the 1840s.Towards the end of the Second World War, the church was heavily destroyed by the bombing raids on Stuttgart in 1944. In the 1950s, the church was restored, however, not in all historical detail.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Venkat Rasineni (5 months ago)
I had the opportunity to worship in a very old church with some wonderful people. It was an anniversary celebration, and they played beautiful songs. However, the service here is in German and starts at 10:00 AM every Sunday.

david antoun (6 months ago)
gothic evangelical church dated to 10th century. expanded over the years till the full modern renovation. inside are many stone altars and burial places of the region rulers from medieval ages.

Aaron Tan (8 months ago)
A very old historical church. Very quiet n serene. Part of the building rebuilt after bombed in world war 2. Strategic location

Tony Kilic (2 years ago)
Beautiful architecture and historical cathedral. Interesting ceiling panels

Genki Kairu (2 years ago)
Stopped in for a quick visit on Sunday, Nov. 19. It was about 10 minutes before the 10:00am service began. I stood in the back and minded my business. Didn’t take pictures, didn’t walk around or disturb anyone, just said a silent prayer and left before the service began. There was a very angry woman at the front entrance (who was passing out pamphlets) with black hair and short in height. About 60 years old or so. She told me 3 times when I was leaving, in perfect English, that visitors are not allowed. When I told her I am visiting from out of country and just wanted to say a quick prayer, she rudely stated that “this is a Protestant church!”, whatever that means. So I guess Protestants don’t pray? Anyways, she is incredibly rude and if she wants to volunteer in that beautiful building, she should volunteer in the basement, because she is completely disrespectful and rude and obviously doesn’t understand how to treat fellow Christians. Shameful behaviour. I wonder how many other tourists she has snapped at. This is the only church in Europe that made me feel unwanted. I did stop back in later the same day and Albrecht was an absolute gentleman. He even gave me a little tour. Thank you Albrecht, I really appreciated you being so kind and welcoming me with a smile.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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