Did you know that St. Michaelis in Rostock was once a hub of piety and printing? This building stands as a testament to faith, learning, and the enduring spirit of Rostock. Let’s uncover the story of St. Michaelis.
In 1480, the Brothers of the Common Life began constructing this unique building. St. Michaelis wasn’t just a church. It combined living quarters, workshops, and a chapel under one roof. These brothers called themselves Fratres Domus Horti Viridis ad S. Michaelem, meaning Brothers of the House of the Green Garden by St. Michael. The original street name Im Grünen Wege reflected this verdant association.
St. Michaelis became a significant center for book printing. In 1476, the Brothers established Rostock’s first printing press making Rostock the second city of letters in Northern Germany after Lübeck. Johann Snell even learned his craft here for several years. This press marked Rostock as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s oldest printing location.
However, not all went smoothly. In 1529, a conflict arose with Duke Heinrich V. The Brothers wanted to print Hieronymus Emser’s New Testament edition. But the Duke, influenced by Martin Luther, forbade it. The printing press ceased operations in 1531.
The Brothers of the Common Life were disbanded in 1534 during the Reformation. Afterward, St. Michaelis served many purposes. Students from the University of Rostock resided here. It also functioned as an armory, wool magazine, and grain storage. Around 1900, even a transformer station was housed here.
Tragedy struck in April 1942. A British bombing raid completely destroyed St. Michaelis leaving it in ruins. The eastern part was rebuilt in the 1950s. It became a community center for the Evangelical Methodist Church. The western wing regained its historical appearance in 1994. Today, the University Library of Rostock uses this section of St. Michaelis. It houses special collections and the Theology and Philosophy Library.
Between 1999 the monastery church was refurbished. Strict regulations for listed buildings had to be followed. The civil construction office of Rostock used WEBAC® 2061 for refurbishment. The injection material needed to consolidate and have a water-repellent effect. It also had to be invisible and injected only into the joints. WEBAC® 2061 strengthened the old building. It also met load-bearing capacity requirements. Its moisture-repellent properties protect it from decay.
St. Michaelis stands as a symbol of Rostock’s rich history. From its origins as a place of piety and learning to its current role as a home for knowledge. The building embodies the city’s resilience. It has adapted through centuries of change. As you stand before St. Michaelis, remember its layers of history. Consider the Brothers of the Common Life, the printers, the students, and the scholars. They all contributed to the story of this remarkable place.