Consider the Erlöserkirche not just a building but a testament to resilience. This church stands as a symbol of faith and architectural ingenuity. The Erlöserkirche in Bamberg is a prominent example of early 20th-century church design.
The Erlöserkirche was built between 1930 and 1933. German Bestelmeyer was the architect behind this unique structure. It officially opened its doors in 1934. The church is located on the right bank of the Main-Donau-Kanal. It serves a large congregation of about 5400 members.
Tragedy struck on February 22 1945. Allied bombs severely damaged the Erlöserkirche. The community was displaced. They had to find alternative places to worship. Reconstruction efforts began and were completed in 1950. The church was rebuilt according to Bestelmeyer’s original plans.
Look closely at the architecture. Bestelmeyer drew inspiration from early Christian central buildings. He also looked at Italian baptisteries of the Middle Ages. The Erlöserkirche features a ten-sided central structure. It is made of rough stone with a tent roof. A porch with high round arch openings marks the main entrance on one side of the decagon. Red bricks accent windows and the eaves.
Notice the campanile connected via an intermediate structure. It includes the sacristy and the sexton’s apartment. The campanile’s pyramid roof is topped with a tower cross. The tower stands 55 meters tall. It features a clock from 1934. Its largest clock face measures six meters in diameter. The bell chamber is located in the uppermost level. You can spot it by the tall rectangular sound openings.
Originally four bells hung in the tower. They were cast by Ulrich of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Sadly only one bell survived World War II. In 1958 Friedrich Wilhelm Schilling cast four new bells.
Step inside the Erlöserkirche. The interior is a spacious ten-sided room. It has an inner diameter of 22 meters and a height of 19 meters. It can accommodate 700 people. Ten niches encircle the room. Red brickwork lines the interior. Natural stone is used sparingly. Simple round-arched windows illuminate the space. Each of the ten side walls has one window above the niches.
Your eyes are immediately drawn to the altar. Above it is a depiction of Jesus Christ on the cross. This representation of the Redeemer gives the Erlöserkirche its name. The cross was designed by the architect. The corpus dates back to the 16th century. It is attributed to the school of Veit Stoß. To the left of the altar is the baptismal font. It was also designed by the architect. The pulpit is on the right side.
Since 2013 the Erlöserkirche has hosted the Bonhoeffer in Harlem exhibition. It is by Sino-Australian artist John Young. The exhibition includes a hand-knotted silk carpet. It also includes eight chalk drawings.
The Erlöserkirche houses an organ. It was installed in 1975 by G. F. Steinmeyer & Co. The organ boasts 24 registers across two manuals and a pedal. The original organ from 1934 was also built by Steinmeyer. That one was destroyed during World War II.
The Erlöserkirche stands not only as a place of worship. It also is a landmark of architectural and historical significance in Bamberg. Its unique design and resilient history make it a must-see.