The Frauenkirche (‘Church of Our Lady’) is a church in Nuremberg, Germany. It stands on the eastern side of the main market. In fact, its main axis is close to true East-West, so our liturgical and geographical directions can be taken to coincide. PLAN
2. SATELLITE VIEW
The building here is sometimes called a ‘hall church’ with the nave and side aisles together forming a square under the main roof, and a chancel / sanctuary to the East. A little chapel called St Michael’s Loft sits atop the Western porch.
3. WEST WALL
The Church is an example of brick Gothic architecture. It was built on the initiative of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor between 1352 and 1362. The pinnacles on the Western gable are unusual. The gable was created by Adam Kraft, one of the last pieces by this sculptor before his death. Notice the little tower on either side of the entry.
4. GLOCKENSPIEL
At noon each day the ‘Männleinlaufen’ (‘Running Men’) clock rings to commemorate the Golden Bull of 1356, when seven electors paid homage to Charles IV and it was decreed that each new Emperor would spend his first day in office in Nürnberg. The seven electors are represented on the clock along with the Emperor; the electors are the archbishops from Cologne, Mainz, and Trier, as well as the Duke of Saxony, Margrave of Brandenburg, King of Bohemia, and Count Palantine on the Rhein. The clock was designed in 1509 by S. Lindenast and G. Heuss.
5. WEST ENTRY DECORATION
The double West doors are set below a row of coats of arms, and with three ornate circular windows contained in the surmounting arch.
6. WEST ENTRY NORTH SIDE
The frame of the entryway contains an elaborate array of sculpted figures. The artistic effect is a little spoilt by the need for protective netting.
7. WEST ENTRY SOUTH SIDE
Similarly there are sculpted figures on the South side. At the bottom, Eve looks across to Adam. The metal doors are artistically wrought with a botanical motif.
8. MADONNA AND CHILD
The figures of Madonna and Child face out from the central column separating the two doors.
9. NORTH WEST VIEW
The church was built in the grand market, in place of the former Jewish synagogue, which was destroyed during the pogrom of 1349 (which followed an outbreak of Black Death). The architect was probably Peter Parler. The nearest corner pillar has a place for a statue, but it is missing. Note the plaque by the door to its left.
10. PLAQUE
The plaque gives a brief history of the Church from its beginning in 1349 to its destruction in 1945, and then its later rebuilding.
11. NORTHEAST VIEW
From this position we can view the chancel / sanctuary extension to the main square ‘hall’ of the Church.
12. CHANCEL FROM THE SOUTH
On this side, in the corner between the main ‘square’ and the chancel, a rectangular utility section has been added. This is not open to the public but would contain sacristies and probably administration offices.
13. SOUTH WALL
Charles IV wanted to use the Frauenkirche for imperial ceremonies, which is reflected in the porch with the balcony, and in the fact that the church is relatively unadorned except for the coats of arms of the Holy Roman Empire, the seven Electors, the town of Nuremberg, and the city of Rome, where the Holy Roman Emperors were crowned. Note the statue on the corner at right.
14. ANGEL STATUE
This decorative angel stands at the Southeast corner of the Church.
15. SOUTHWEST CORNER
We have now completed our circuit of the exterior. The ornate entry now beckons us as we pass the corner statue, and the little tower with its hidden spiral stair.
16. CORNER MADONNA
The statue at the Southeast corner is of the Madonna and Child.
17. SIDE DOOR TO PORCH
We shall enter by the main West door, but there is a further door on each side of the West porch. Each door is surrounded by further amazing carvings.
18. NARTHEX
We enter the main West door to stand within the Church narthex. The doors through to the nave are surrounded by the same wonderful carving, but here it is even better in colour!
20. NORTH NAVE
We observe the various items here: in particular the statue at left, the ‘plates’ high up on the wall, the wall fresco on the side wall under the second window, and the unusual stained glass window.