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Church · Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Baviera
St.-Jakobs-Kirche
Main Gothic church of Rothenburg, with the Holy Blood altarpiece carved by Tilman Riemenschneider between 1500 and 1505.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About St.-Jakobs-Kirche
St.-Jakobs-Kirche is Rothenburg's main church, a few steps from the Marktplatz. It was built between 1311 and 1484 and consecrated in 1485; since the Reformation in 1544 it has been Lutheran. On the outside it is austere, with two towers of different heights. The west choir passes over a street, the Klingengasse, which runs under the church.
In the west choir, on an elevated gallery, is the Holy Blood altarpiece (Heilig-Blut-Altar) by Tilman Riemenschneider, a sculptor from Würzburg. He carved it between 1500 and 1505 in unpainted linden wood to house a relic in a crystal reliquary. The central scene is the Last Supper, with Judas in the center instead of Jesus; the side panels show the entry into Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.
The east choir has stained glass with pieces from the 14th century and the high altar of the Twelve Apostles. The church has regular sacred music and, outside service times, admits visitors with a ticket.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
30 to 45 minutes.
Best time
On sunny days, in the morning or afternoon, when the light from the windows shines through Riemenschneider's altarpiece. Avoid service times. Check visiting hours before you go.
How to get there
It is on Kirchplatz, about a two-minute walk from the Marktplatz along Kirchgasse.
Tip
Go up to the gallery of the west choir and get close to the altarpiece to see the detail of the faces. Notice the street that runs under the church on the outside.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about St.-Jakobs-Kirche
Who was Tilman Riemenschneider?
One of the greatest German sculptors of the late Gothic, who worked in Würzburg. He left wooden altarpieces in several churches in Francônia.
Does the church charge admission?
Tourist visits, outside of services, usually require a ticket. Check at the entrance.
What is different about the altar of the Santo Sangue?
The Last Supper shows Judas in the center of the scene and the wood was not painted, which was rare at the time. The light from the windows is part of the effect.