Heidelberg’s most famous church is the centerpiece of Old Town’s Marketplace; The Church of the Holy Spirit - “Heiliggeistkirche”). First mentioned in a 1239 document, it was commissioned by Bavarian Prince-Elector Rupert III and financed by Arnold Ryne (who, at one time, served as mayor of Heidelberg). During the 14th century, the Holy Spirit Church replaced St.Peter’s Church (which had become the university church of the University of Heidelberg) as a parish church. In 1398, the foundations for the current building were laid on the site of a previous Romanesque Basilica, which, itself had been built over an even older church. It took 150 years to complete construction of the new church.
During the French occupation of Heidelberg in 1709 the church was destroyed by fire and then rebuilt. Throughout most of its history, the church was used by both Protestants and Catholics ( sometimes even simultaneously). At the end of the 1700’s, a partition was constructed in the church so that both groups could hold services. This partition was permanently removed in 1930 when the church services became exclusively Protestant.
While many of Bavaria’s rulers had been entombed in the church, most of the tombs were destroyed in the 1709 fire. The only one remaining intact was the tomb of Prince-Elector Rupert III, the church’s founder.
Because our Heidelberg apartment was no more than 100 yards down a side street from this glorious church, we passed by it daily. It is an impressive structure and one that must be visited when in Heidelberg.
During the French occupation of Heidelberg in 1709 the church was destroyed by fire and then rebuilt. Throughout most of its history, the church was used by both Protestants and Catholics ( sometimes even simultaneously). At the end of the 1700’s, a partition was constructed in the church so that both groups could hold services. This partition was permanently removed in 1930 when the church services became exclusively Protestant.
While many of Bavaria’s rulers had been entombed in the church, most of the tombs were destroyed in the 1709 fire. The only one remaining intact was the tomb of Prince-Elector Rupert III, the church’s founder.
Because our Heidelberg apartment was no more than 100 yards down a side street from this glorious church, we passed by it daily. It is an impressive structure and one that must be visited when in Heidelberg.
Located on one side of Heidelberg’s Old Town Marketplace (opposite Old Town Hall), the Church of the Holy Spirit dominates the area.
Side view of the church looking down the main thoroughfare from The Marketplace square in Old Town towards Bismarckplatz in the modern part of the city (a mile away).
Its interior is massive!
While not the typical stained-glass variety, the oversized windows behind the main altar did provide a lot of light for the interior.
As with other churches we’ve visited throughout Europe, a stunning feature of the Church of the Holy Spirit is its majestic ceiling...
...including a detailed religious fresco.
The only surviving tomb from the 1709 fire is that of Prince-Elector Rupert III and his wife, Elizabeth.
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