St. Benedikti

St. Benedikti in Quedlinburg, a charming town in the heart of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, is a magnificent testament to medieval architecture and the rich ecclesiastical history of the region. This striking church, nestled amidst the picturesque streets of Quedlinburg, invites visitors to step back in time and explore its storied past and architectural splendor.

The Historical Tapestry of St. Benedikti

The origins of St. Benedikti date back to the 12th century, with the church being first mentioned in documents in 1233. However, its consecration occurred as early as 1173. The church’s architecture reflects this deep historical lineage, with remnants of Romanesque elements still visible today. For instance, a walled-up Romanesque window can be found in the southern aisle, and Romanesque windows are preserved in the tower structure.

The church’s most prominent features are its two west towers, which intriguingly differ in height. The northern tower reaches an impressive 60 meters, while the southern tower is slightly shorter due to fire damage. Both towers were devastated by a fire on April 29, 1901, but were meticulously reconstructed to their original form. Today, the tower level of the former tower keeper's apartment is accessible, offering panoramic views of the old town to the east, south, and west.

Architectural Marvels and Artistic Treasures

Stepping inside St. Benedikti, visitors are greeted by a wealth of historical and artistic treasures. The pulpit, a gift from the von Stamer family in 1595, stands as a testament to the church’s enduring legacy. The baptismal font, dating back to 1648, adds to the church's historical charm.

The high altar, crafted in 1700, is a masterpiece designed by mathematics professor Leonhard Christoph Sturm from Wolfenbüttel and executed by the Braunschweig sculptor Joachim Querfurt. This altar vividly depicts the events of Easter, drawing visitors into its intricate narrative. In the southern aisle, a late Gothic winged altar from around 1500 commands attention, featuring nearly life-sized figures of the Pietà (the grieving Mary with the dead Jesus), St. Benedict, and St. Nicholas.

The Kaland Chapel, located in the eastern part of the northern aisle, houses several noteworthy tombstones, portraits of pastors, and a late Gothic Marian altar from around 1480. The chapel’s name derives from the charitable Kaland order of the Middle Ages, whose members met here on the first day of each month (the Kalends).

The Majestic Organ

The existence of an organ in St. Benedikti was first recorded around 1510. By the time of the great Reformation jubilee in 1717, the church boasted two organs that could play in harmony. The larger of the two instruments had 2,928 pipes and was comparable to the famous Silbermann organ in Dresden’s Frauenkirche and the cathedral organ in Freiberg.

In 1834, this instrument was replaced with a new one. The current organ, built in 1888 by the Ernst Röver organ building company in Hausneindorf, remains largely original. During World War I, the organ’s tin prospect pipes were surrendered for war purposes and later replaced with zinc replicas. The organ underwent significant restoration from October 2018 to June 2020 by the Jehmlich organ building company, restoring the modified registers to their historical original state. The grand re-inauguration took place on June 13 and 14, 2020.

The Solemn Bells

St. Benedikti’s only remaining church bell, known as the baptismal bell, is dedicated to the Mother of God. This nearly two-ton bell, cast in the 13th century, bears the Angelic Salutation in finely engraved majuscule script on its shoulder. A relief of the enthroned Mother of God with the Christ Child is cast on its flank.

The empty chair compartment and the yoke within are remnants of the former largest bell, which was cast in 1708 by Christian Ludewig Meyer from Braunschweig. This bell, a recast of an earlier bell from 1304, had a diameter of 2.26 meters and was one of the largest bells in central Germany.

Notable Personalities and Modern Enhancements

Between 1711 and 1714, the composer Gottfried Kirchhoff served as the organist at St. Benedikti, under the direction of musices director Christian Friedrich Rolle. From 1757 to 1764, the renowned educator Friedrich Gabriel Resewitz was a pastor at the church. Later, Johann Heinrich Fritsch, who wrote the first complete chronicle of Quedlinburg’s history, served as the chief preacher and superintendent at the church.

Since June 2009, the church has been illuminated at night, thanks to the sponsorship of a Belgian gas company. Daily guided tours of the church and tower are available, offering visitors a deeper understanding of its historical and architectural significance.

The church’s roof and roof structure are designated as a Fauna-Flora-Habitat (FFH) for the Greater Mouse-Eared Bat. North of the church stands the Goetze Mausoleum, the last remnant of the former market cemetery, built in 1726. The nearby house at Breite Straße 18 once served as the parish house, and the house at Marktkirchhof 16 housed the boys’ civic school of the congregation.

In conclusion, St. Benedikti in Quedlinburg is not just a church; it is a living monument to centuries of history, art, and culture. Its towering spires, intricate altars, and resonant bells echo the stories of the past, making it an essential destination for anyone exploring the rich heritage of Quedlinburg.