Stendal - St. Marien

The fortified town of Stendal was founded by the first Brandenburg Margrave Albert the Bear and granted Magdeburg rights about 1160. A deed issued by Emperor Heinrich II in 1022, in which the village appears among the possessions of the Michaeliskloster in Hildesheim, is a 12th-century forgery.

Stendal quickly prospered as a center of commerce and trade. The parish of St. Jacobi was founded in the 12th century. The construction of a Franciscan monastery began in 1230. In the 13th century, the Stendal Seafarers' Guild was formed, which traded its own ships in the Baltic and North Sea areas. The oldest documented mention of the church of St. Marien dates back to 1283. Stendal received city walls around 1300 and in 1338 a Latin school was built. The local merchants joined the Hanseatic League in 1358 and purchased the privilege of minting from the Brandenburg margraves in 1369.

Just like in neighboring Tangermünde, the citizens of Stendal rebelled against the beer tax in 1488.
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In the 12th century, a Romanesque basilica was built on the site of today's Marienkirche. In the late 14th century, the westwork was extended with the double-tower facade. In 1420 the construction of the Marienkirche began as a late Gothic hall church. Until 1447 the church was vaulted. The church was consecrated in 1447. In the 16th century, the towers were completed. In 1580 an astronomical clock was installed. The Marienkirche was the main parish church of the Hanseatic merchant community and is neighboring the town hall.

The astronomical clock probably dates from after 1580.

The dial is 3 x 3 meters in size. The Latin texts on the four astrologer banners in the corners of the dial read in translation:

"The stars incline, but they do not compel."
"The moments become signs, the days become years."
"The astrologer does not have the decision in his own hands."
"Do not be afraid of the signs."

The movement was rebuilt in 1856 by E. Zimmermann using old parts. Later, E. Zimmermann willfully destroyed the watch. It was not until the 1970s that the Stendal goldsmith Oskar Roever discovered crucial parts of the movement. He restored and added to the work in almost two years of work. Since May 14, 1977, the astronomical clock has been in service again.

Almost all cities that had an astronomical clock belonged to the Hanseatic League. eg. Rostock, Stralsund, Wismar, Gdansk und Stendal.