Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche)
Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche) is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Rothenburg ob der Tauber audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~30 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber Rothenburg ob der Tauber guide
About Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche)
A plain Franciscan church on Herrngasse, founded in 1281, now Lutheran, with a five-bay rood screen, a Passion painting cycle, and a St Francis altar attributed to Riemenschneider's workshop.
The Franziskanerkirche is a former Franciscan friary church on Herrngasse, midway between the Marktplatz and the Burgtor. The friary was founded in 1281 by Hermann von Hornburg, and construction of the church began in 1282; its choir was consecrated in 1309 and again in 1333. In the mendicant manner it is a three-aisled, flat-ceilinged basilica joined to a long, cross-rib-vaulted choir. A five-bay rood screen, or Lettner, carries a Passion painting cycle of about 1370 to 1390, with 'Rothenburger Passion' panels added in 1494.
Its most notable artwork, the Franziskusaltar of about 1490, shows St Francis receiving the stigmata and is attributed to Tilman Riemenschneider or his workshop rather than documented as his own work. The friary was dissolved in 1548, and the church has since served as an Evangelical-Lutheran parish church. Its organ was built in 1889 by Johannes Strebel of Nuremberg and restored in 1992.
Did you know? Guidebooks often name the Franziskanerkirche the oldest surviving church in Rothenburg. German Wikipedia does not make that claim, and the church of St Peter and Paul down in Detwang is in fact older.
How long should you spend at Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche)?
Plan about ~30 min at Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche). That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche) worth visiting?
Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche) is one of the 12 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
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Hear the story of Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche)
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