A question lingers in the air. What makes this statue so special? Right here we stand before the Herderdenkmal. It stands as a tribute to Johann Gottfried Herder. He was a theologian and philosopher. Herder’s impact on Weimar was profound.
The Herderdenkmal commemorates his significant role. He served at the Stadtkirche St Peter und Paul. Locals often call it the Herderkirche. He worked there from 1776 until his death in 1803. Herder is buried in the churchyard.
Let’s delve deeper into the story of the Herderdenkmal. The square before the church was named after Herder. This happened after the monument’s erection in 1850. A plaque marks Herder’s former residence. It is located north of the Stadtkirche.
The church itself has a rich history. It was first built between 1245 and 1249. A fire destroyed it in 1299. Only the foundations remained. The second church building suffered heavy damage in the city fire of 1424. The current structure dates back to a late Gothic hall church. It was built between 1498 and 1500. The choir served as the burial site. It was for the Ernestine line of the Wettin family.
During World War II, the church suffered extensive damage. This occurred during air raids on Weimar. Bombs struck on February 9, 1945. The 19-meter-high steep roof and wooden vaulting were largely destroyed. The remaining stone vaults in the eastern parts collapsed. The entire interior was badly affected.
The removal of the rubble began in 1945. From 1948 to 1953, the reconstruction took place. This included securing the outer walls. The roof and roof turret were erected. The west tower was repaired. New wooden vaults were installed and plastered. The chancel arch was restored. The church was rededicated on June 14, 1953. The interior was repaired and restored until 1977.
The Herderkirche and Herderplatz played a crucial role. They became meeting points during the peaceful revolution in 1989. This was a significant moment in German history.
The Herderkirche is part of the Classical Weimar ensemble. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1998. In 2012, the Herderkirche joined. It became part of the International Nagelkreuzgemeinschaft. This is a community of churches destroyed in World War II.
Between 2010 and 2016, the church underwent extensive restoration. This included the pulpit, baptismal font, and the Cranach Altar. Two new church windows with special glazing protect the altar. They shield it from UV light.
The altar is a three-winged altarpiece. Lucas Cranach the Younger created it between 1552 and 1555. It is considered a masterpiece. It represents Saxon-Thuringian art of the 16th century. The original tombstone of Lucas Cranach the Elder is in the altar area. A copy stands on the south side of the Jakobskirche. Also significant is the Luther Shrine. It is a triptych with portraits of Martin Luther.
The Cranach Altar was saved from destruction. It was stored elsewhere in 1940. This ensured its safety during the air raids on Weimar.
Many important figures are buried in the Stadtkirche. These include Electors and Dukes of Saxony. Duchess Anna Amalia of Braunschweig-Wolfenbuttel is also buried here. She was the last regent. She requested to be buried in the Stadtkirche in 1807.
The organ of the Stadtkirche was rebuilt in 1998-1999. W. Sauer Orgelbau Frankfurt (Oder) did the work. They used the historical case of the organ from 1812. Johann Gottlob Trampeli created the original organ.
Now, take a moment to appreciate the Herderdenkmal. Consider its history and the man it honors. It stands as a reminder of Weimar’s rich cultural and religious heritage. It also reflects resilience and rebirth.