Imagine emperors visiting Dortmund. These visits may have led to the building of the Marienkirche. Today, we stand before a testament to Dortmund’s rich history: the Marienkirche.
The Marienkirche, or St. Mary’s Church, stands in Dortmund’s inner city. It has been a Lutheran parish church since the Reformation. The Marienkirche also serves as a venue for sacred music.
Built between 1170 and 1200, the Marienkirche stands on Hellweg. This was a main Medieval road. The church served the town’s council. It also served its jurisdiction. The Marienkirche is the oldest extant church in Dortmund’s inner city. Around 1350, a Gothic choir was added. It then served as a model for the Reinoldikirche.
Inside the Marienkirche, discover notable Medieval art. The Berswordtaltar from 1385 stands here. It is named after its patron. See also the Marienaltar by Conrad von Soest from 1420. It depicts scenes from the life of Mary. The central panel of the Berswordt-Altar shows the Swoon of the Virgin.
Interestingly, the Marienaltar now contains only fragments of von Soest’s original work. In 1720, a new reredos was installed. Workmen used hammers to make the paintings fit. They lost over half of the large central panel. Also, they lost a quarter of each side panel.
Almost completely destroyed in World War II, the Marienkirche has a story of survival. Both the Marienaltar and the Berswordtaltar were evacuated. They went to Cappenberg Castle at the war’s start. Thus, they survived. The Marienkirche was rebuilt. Reconstruction started right after the war. It finished in 1959.
Look up to see the swallow’s nest organ. It sits high above the nave. Steinmann Orgelbau reconstructed it. The glass windows were restored. Johannes Schreiter designed them in subdued colors. The work was completed in 1972.
The Marienkirche has a rich history. It began as a Romanesque church. Later, Gothic elements were added. It became a Lutheran parish church. It survived World War II. The Marienkirche stands as a symbol of Dortmund’s resilience. It also stands as a dedication to its artistic heritage. The Marienkirche is more than a building. It is a living story told in stone and art.