St. Anne's Church, Augsburg
Exterior of St. Anne's Church, Augsburg. Photo by Ian Griffiths.
The frescoed Goldsmith's Chapel. Photo by Yuen Long.
The impressive organ of the Fuggerkapelle. Photo by Yuen Long.
The "Luther Stairway." Photos: Augsburg-Evangelisch, Andrea Weckerle.
Luther manuscripts in the Luther Staircase. Photo by Andrea Weckerle.
St. Anne's (or St. Anna's) Church in Augsburg is a fine 14th-century Gothic church notable for its artwork and role in Lutheran history.
History
Built in 1321 by Carmelite monks, St. Anne's Church went on play an important role in the history of the Reformation.
In 1518 that Martin Luther stayed here with the Carmelite friars when he was in town to meet the papal legate, Cardinal Cajetan, who demanded that Luther submit to the pope. St. Anne's Church later converted to Lutheranism, along with half of Germany.
The Goldsmith's Chapel was added in 1420; the Fugger's Chapel in 1509. The spire was added in 1607 by Elias Holl and the church was redesigned between 1747 and 1749.
In 1999, Catholics and Protestants signed an important Joint Declaration on the doctrine of salvation in St. Anne's Church.
What to See
Part of the former Carmelite friary has been turned into an exhibit on Luther's life and times and the beginnings of the Reformation in Augsburg. Called the Lutherstiege ("Luther Staircase"), the worthwhile museum includes the actual room Luther stayed in (Lutherkammer). The Empore, the old gallery for the Carmelites, shows the excommunication bull sent to Luther when he refused to recant.
The chancel contains several devotional paintings, including Christ Blessing Children by Lucas Cranach. The fine pulpit is by Heinrich Eichler.
The Goldschmiedkapelle (Goldsmith's Chapel) was donated as a pilgrim chapel by Conrad Hirn and his wife Afra in 1420. In 1496, it was enlarged by the goldsmiths and used as their burial chapel. The 15th-century Gothic murals that decorated the chapel mark the transition from mysticism to realism.
In the murals on the right, Herod orders the high priests and scribes to locate the birthplace of Christ. Nearby is the Magi, then Christ’s passion from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion. On the left is the legend of St. Helena dispatching the pilgrim fathers in search of Christ’s cross. Also depicted are St. Christopher and St. Georg fighting with the dragon.
The Fuggerkappelle, the burial chapel of the Fuggers, is the earliest example of Renaissance architecture in Germany. Endowed by Ulrich and Jacob Fugger in 1509 for themselves and their deceased brother, it features marble pavement, an organ with painted shutters, stained glass, choir stalls, a sculptural group of The Lamentation over the Dead Christ and memorial relief tablets designed after Durer woodcuts.
Quick Facts
| Names: | St. Anne's Church; St. Anna's Church; St.-Anna-Kirche |
| Type of site: | Parish church (former Carmelite friary) |
| Faith: | Lutheran (originally Roman Catholic) |
| Dates: | 1321 |
| Architecture: | Gothic with Renaissance tower |
| Location: | Annastrasse, Augsburg, Germany |
| Website: | www.st-anna-augsburg.de |
| Hours: | Lutherstiege: Tues-Sun 10-noon, 3-5pm |
| Cost: | Free |
Location Map
Location map and satellite view of St. Anne's Church in Augsburg. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Augsburg Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- The Lutheran Church St. Anna Augsburg - official website
- The Rough Guide to Germany 6 (April 2004).
- Frommer's Germany
