Hidden amongst the charming streets of Sachsenhausen stands the Deutschordenskirche. Its history whispers tales of emperors and knights. This isn’t just any church. It’s a living testament to Frankfurt’s rich past.
The Deutschordenskirche St Maria is more than a place of worship. It’s a significant piece of Frankfurt’s cultural heritage. Its origins trace back to around 1190. Kuno von Münzenberg transformed a farmstead into a hospital and church. This modest beginning laid the foundation for what would become a prominent landmark.
Fast forward to 1221. Emperor Frederick II bestowed the property upon the Teutonic Order. This marked a turning point. The church underwent significant reconstruction in 1307. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This new building solidified the Deutschordenskirche’s presence in Sachsenhausen. The Kommende flourished. Its wealth grew thanks to donations from Frankfurt and Sachsenhausen citizens. The church even hosted the highest governing body of the Teutonic Order. Three meetings of the Generalkapitel took place within its hallowed walls.
The Deutschordenskirche wasn’t just a religious center. It was a stage for important political events. In 1324 Emperor Louis IV issued the Sachsenhausen Appellation here. He challenged the Pope’s authority on royal elections. This act shifted the balance of power. From that point on the majority of electors determined a king’s legitimacy.
A fascinating detail often overlooked is the mystical manuscript written by an unknown priest. This 14th century text later became known as Theologia deutsch. Martin Luther published it. Its wide dissemination underscored the Deutschordenskirche’s role in shaping religious thought.
The Reformation in 1533 temporarily halted Catholic masses in Frankfurt. However the Augsburg Interim of 1548 returned the church and house to the Teutonic Order. The convent’s significance diminished though. Few Catholics remained in the city. During the siege of 1552 the church served a surprising purpose a powder magazine.
The baroque era brought significant changes. The old Deutschordenshaus was demolished starting in 1707. A new baroque building replaced it. Architect Daniel Kayser led the project. Military architect Johann Maximilian Welsch contributed. This was done to better suit the needs of the Hoch- und Deutschmeister Franz Ludwig von Pfalz-Neuburg. The church itself received a baroque makeover in 1751.
A masterpiece by Giovanni Battista Piazzetta graced the high altar. The painting of the Assumption of Mary was world-renowned. Sadly French revolutionary troops stole it in 1796. It reappeared in Lille’s museum in 1840. Today it resides in the Louvre. Two figures from the original baroque high altar St Elisabeth and St George now stand on the organ loft.
Secularization in 1803 transferred ownership. Unlike most churches the Deutschordenskirche did not fall to the city of Frankfurt. Instead it went to Friedrich August of Nassau-Usingen. Napoleon’s dissolution of the Teutonic Order in 1809 marked another chapter. The Deutschordenshaus became the War Ministry. The Wiener Kongress gave it to the House of Habsburg. They returned it to the Order in 1836.
The Deutschordenskirche faced devastation during World War II. Bombing raids in 1943 severely damaged it. The Deutschordenshaus burned to the ground. The church was rebuilt from 1963 to 1965. Grand Master Marian Tumler rededicated the restored complex.
Today the Deutschordenskirche stands as a symbol of resilience. It continues to serve as a center for faith and culture. A visit to this historical church offers a captivating journey through centuries of Frankfurt’s vibrant history.