Annenkapelle

Why did a wealthy merchant build what looks like a church, but is called a chapel? We stand before the Annenkapelle in Görlitz. This fascinating structure holds a story of ambition, piety, and changing fortunes. The Annenkapelle was built between 1508 and 1511. Hans Frenzel, a prominent merchant, commissioned the chapel as a memorial. He dedicated it to St. Anne, his patron saint. The architect was the city’s master builder, Albrecht Stieglitzer. The construction, however, wasn’t easy. They discovered an old, filled-in moat from a former castle on the site. Despite the challenges, the Annenkapelle rose, costing a hefty 8,550 Gulden. It boasted a magnificent interior and exterior. The altar, a masterpiece by Hans Olmützer, depicted St. Anne and her family. Seven sandstone figures adorn the exterior. These include St. Anne, her husband Joachim, Mary and Joseph, John the Baptist, Christ, and Laurentius. Interestingly, the building’s designation as a “chapel” might have been a strategic move. Chapels were likely easier to get approved than churches, despite the Annenkapelle’s church-like dimensions. This allowed Frenzel to have his private place of worship, complete with six priests performing 30 masses a week. Frenzel used the Annenkapelle for private services until his death in 1526. His young son, Joachim, inherited the chapel. However, he ceded it to the city council in 1531. The city’s treatment of the Annenkapelle, however, was less than reverent. They removed the bells, moved the altar to St. Peter’s Church (where it was later destroyed in a fire), and failed to rebuild the small tower that collapsed in a storm. Over the years, the Annenkapelle served as a home for priests, an orphanage church, and even a prison church. In 1871, the chapel underwent a major transformation. A ceiling was added to divide the space. The lower level became a gymnasium, while the upper level served as an auditorium. Today, the Annenkapelle stands as a testament to Frenzel’s ambition and the changing roles of religious buildings throughout history. It reminds us that even a private memorial can become a part of the city’s vibrant tapestry.