Did you know that St Marien-Kirche in Greifswald is affectionately nicknamed Dicke Marie? This is more than just a charming moniker. It hints at the church’s impressive size and its long and storied history.
St Marien-Kirche stands before you a testament to North German Brick Gothic architecture. This magnificent church is the oldest of Greifswald’s three major city churches. Its construction began sometime between 1250 and 1275. Rich citizens likely spearheaded the project around 1260. The church’s dedication to Saint Mary mother of Jesus also reflects the religious landscape of the time. Saint Mary was the patron saint of the Eldena monastery. The monastery held the patronage rights over St Marien-Kirche which were confirmed in 1280 and again by the Pope in 1298.
Construction continued for nearly a century. The building was finally completed in 1380. Imagine the generations of craftsmen who toiled on this project. Their work helped create a breathtaking structure. The church’s three-aisled hall church design is unique. It lacks a choir. This design was quite intentional. The church boasts impressive features. These include two tower side halls and a seven-bay entrance hall dating back to the 15th century.
The Annenkapelle a chapel added between 1330 and 1340 stands out. It’s located on the south side of St Marien-Kirche. This chapel has a unique design in the North German region. It features a single nave and two polygonal apses. Historians believe the Bergen and Schonen seafarers merchant guilds of Greifswald may have used the Annenkapelle. Perhaps each guild used one of its apses for an altar.
St Marien-Kirche has suffered damage through the years. The Thirty Years War inflicted significant harm. The church was subsequently rebuilt and expanded. A new tower with a pyramidal roof was added during this rebuilding phase. More recently St Marien-Kirche benefited from federal funding in 2008. Extensive conservation efforts followed. These efforts included repairing the tower and the spire. The restoration work continued for years. The extensively cracked east gable required significant structural support in 2009.
Step inside St Marien-Kirche. You’ll find the interior equally fascinating. The hall is covered by a subtly painted whitewashed ribbed vault. The three naves are defined by two rows of red-plastered brick pillars. Notice the stucco blind arcades with tracery on the east wall flanking the altar. Above the main nave entrance is an organ loft. This grand instrument a Mehmel organ from 1868 is one of the largest surviving organs built by the Stralsund organ builder Friedrich Albert Mehmel.
Look closely at the many chapels and details. The Marienkapelle or “little lime house” on the north side is remarkably old. It dates back to the late 13th century. Restoration of this chapel revealed original wall paintings of figures complete script and Marian roses.
The church’s treasures extend beyond its architecture. The Rubenowstein a memorial stone commemorates Heinrich Rubenow. He was a Greifswald mayor and university founder murdered in 1462. A remarkable depiction of a swordfish adorns the south wall of the north tower side hall. This commemorates a swordfish that beached in the Bodden in 1545.
St Marien-Kirche in Greifswald is not just a building. It’s a living chronicle of Greifswald’s history a remarkable piece of architecture and a repository of art and stories. This church deserves more than a fleeting glance. It deserves careful exploration. It’s a journey back in time. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Greifswald.