Maria Regina

“A cone of concrete?” a child once asked, staring up at Maria Regina. Yes, Maria Regina in Fellbach, Germany, is a unique sight. This church, consecrated in 1967, isn’t your typical medieval cathedral. Architect Klaus Franz originally envisioned a circular cylinder. The city, however, feared such a massive form would overwhelm the surrounding area. Negotiations and compromises led to the distinctive cone shape. It’s a design that initially divided public opinion. Some hailed it as one of Europe’s most beautiful buildings. Others likened it to a volcano. The cone itself is made of a thin concrete shell, clad with cement plates. A plexiglass skylight, manufactured on-site in a dust-free tent, crowns the structure. Maria Regina’s unusual form reflects the era of its creation. It was built during the Second Vatican Council. This period brought significant changes to Catholic liturgy. Franz incorporated these reforms. He designed a circular altar island surrounded by pews. This layout emphasizes community and participation. The attached community center further reinforces this idea. Inside, street paving continues from outside to inside, blurring the lines between sacred and secular space. Light streams in from the circular skylight, illuminating the walls covered with light acoustic plaster. Over the years, various artists contributed to Maria Regina’s interior. Maria Elisabeth Stapp created a statue of the church’s namesake. Max Faller designed the cross, ambo, and Easter candlestick. Otto Habel’s stone mosaic Stations of the Cross adorn the lower church. Maria Regina stands as a testament to a time of change and innovation in church architecture. It’s a place where modern materials and liturgical reforms converge.