Linden - St.-Peters

The exact age of the St.-Peters Church in Linden (about 6kms south of Giessen) is unknown. The church is placed on a once strongly fortified hill, mentioned in the Lorsch codex. A smaller Carolingian chapel had been here already as early as 810/820, foundations of this chapel have been found during a restauration. The church was probably erected within the 12th century.

The romanesque portal is the outstanding feature of St.-Peters. It was carved around 1220/1230 and originally it had been on the southern entrance of the church, but was moved to the western facade.

There are only a few of these portals in Germany - and this one is pretty unique, though it is weathered and difficult to "read". One theory claims, that the carvings are connected to the legend of Saint Wenceslaus I, who was murdered by his brother. Soon after his "martyrdom" several hagiographies were (told and) written - and these were very popular within the middle ages.

So here is the center of the outer archivolt and the complete inner with the hunting scene and the dragon.

R. Hamann, quoted by Kiesow, sees a nativity scene in the center, flanked by the Magis, traveling with two wagons. The carvings are pretty weathered, but I doubt that.
I see a lady in a position, that could well be the "Maria Regina", but I can not see a child. There are neither ox nor ass, but two men and (between them) an animal (dog). They carry weapons or tools and may be hunters or peasants. They seem to chat. Then there are these two wagons, on the left "equipped with two" on the right with one person. The lady may stand for the Virgin, but all others seem like "simple people" - to me.


The parish has a website about the history of the church (in German):
www.ev-kirche-gr-linden.de/kirchengelaende.html