Winged Altars

The area around Lübeck, today a large city with a population of more than 200,000, had been settled by Slavs since the 7th century. Slavs had a settlement north of the present city called "Liubice", which was razed by the pagan Rani tribe in 1128. 15 years later Adolf II, Count of Schauenburg and Holstein, founded the modern town as a German settlement on the river island of Bucu. He built a new castle, first mentioned as existing in 1147. Adolf II had to cede the castle to the Duke of Saxony, Henry the Lion, in 1158. After Henry's fall from power in 1181, the town became an Imperial city. Emperor Barbarossa ordained that the city should have a ruling council of 20 members. With the council dominated by merchants, trade interests shaped Lübeck's politics for centuries. In the 14th century, Lübeck became the "Queen of the Hanseatic League", being by far the largest and most powerful member of that medieval trade organization. In 1375, Emperor Charles IV named Lübeck one of the five "Glories of the Empire", a title shared with Venice, Rome, Pisa, and Florence. Conflicts about trading privileges resulted in fighting between Lübeck (with the Hanseatic League) and Denmark and Norway – with varying outcome. While Lübeck and the Hanseatic League prevailed in conflicts in 1435 and 1512, Lübeck lost when it became involved in a civil war that raged in Denmark from 1534 to 1536. From then on Lübeck's power slowly declined. The city remained neutral in the Thirty Years' War, but the devastation from the decades-long war and the new transatlantic orientation of European trade caused the Hanseatic League – and thus Lübeck with it – to decline in importance. However, Lübeck still remained an important trading town on the Baltic Sea. The "Dom zu Lübeck" (Lübeck Cathedral) is around 130 meters long, one of the longest brick churches. In 1173, Henry the Lion laid the foundation stone of the cathedral as a cathedral for the bishopric of Lübeck. The then Romanesque cathedral was completed in about 1230 and rebuilt into a Gothic hall church between 1266 and 1335. At the same time the lengthening of the structure was done by erecting the pure Gothic east choir, completed in 1341 The length of the cathedral was doubled. Until the Reformation, the cathedral chapter was under the control of the bishop. After the Reformation, the cathedral became the joint property of the city and the cathedral chapter until 1803, when it became the sole property of the city with the dissolution of the cathedral chapter. The adjoining monastery became the site of the Museum am Dom at the end of the 19th century. After the heavy air raid on Lübeck on March 28-29, 1942, the eastern vault in the high choir collapsed, destroying the high altar from 1696. The fire in the neighboring cathedral museum spread to the cathedral's roof truss. Next day the spires of the tower collapsed. As a result of the war, the unsecured gable of the northern transept collapsed in 1946. Reconstruction took several decades, as priorities here tended to be the rebuilding of Lübeck's Marienkirche. The reconstruction was finally completed in 1982. The "Altar der kanonischen Tageszeiten" (altar of the seven canonical times of day) was created in the first third of the 15th century. The theme refers to the poem "Patris Sapientia" and has seven images representing the seven times of the day and show stations of the sufferings of Christ.

The area around Lübeck, today a large city with a population of more than 200,000, had been settled by Slavs since the 7th century. Slavs had a settlement north of the present city called "Liubice", which was razed by the pagan Rani tribe in 1128. 15 years later Adolf II, Count of Schauenburg and Holstein, founded the modern town as a German settlement on the river island of Bucu. He built a new castle, first mentioned as existing in 1147. Adolf II had to cede the castle to the Duke of Saxony, Henry the Lion, in 1158. After Henry's fall from power in 1181, the town became an Imperial city. Emperor Barbarossa ordained that the city should have a ruling council of 20 members. With the council dominated by merchants, trade interests shaped Lübeck's politics for centuries. In the 14th century, Lübeck became the "Queen of the Hanseatic League", being by far the largest and most powerful member of that medieval trade organization. In 1375, Emperor Charles IV named Lübeck one of the five "Glories of the Empire", a title shared with Venice, Rome, Pisa, and Florence. Conflicts about trading privileges resulted in fighting between Lübeck (with the Hanseatic League) and Denmark and Norway – with varying outcome. While Lübeck and the Hanseatic League prevailed in conflicts in 1435 and 1512, Lübeck lost when it became involved in a civil war that raged in Denmark from 1534 to 1536. From then on Lübeck's power slowly declined. The city remained neutral in the Thirty Years' War, but the devastation from the decades-long war and the new transatlantic orientation of European trade caused the Hanseatic League – and thus Lübeck with it – to decline in importance. However, Lübeck still remained an important trading town on the Baltic Sea. The "Dom zu Lübeck" (Lübeck Cathedral) is around 130 meters long, one of the longest brick churches. In 1173, Henry the Lion laid the foundation stone of the cathedral as a cathedral for the bishopric of Lübeck. The then Romanesque cathedral was completed in about 1230 and rebuilt into a Gothic hall church between 1266 and 1335. At the same time the lengthening of the structure was done by erecting the pure Gothic east choir, completed in 1341 The length of the cathedral was doubled. Until the Reformation, the cathedral chapter was under the control of the bishop. After the Reformation, the cathedral became the joint property of the city and the cathedral chapter until 1803, when it became the sole property of the city with the dissolution of the cathedral chapter. The adjoining monastery became the site of the Museum am Dom at the end of the 19th century. After the heavy air raid on Lübeck on March 28-29, 1942, the eastern vault in the high choir collapsed, destroying the high altar from 1696. The fire in the neighbouring cathedral museum spread to the cathedral's roof truss. The next day the spires of the tower collapsed. As a result of the war, the unsecured gable of the northern transept collapsed in 1946. Reconstruction took several decades, as priorities here tended to be the rebuilding of Lübeck's Marienkirche. The reconstruction was finally completed in 1982. The "Marienaltar mit der Einhornjagd" ("Marian Altar with the Unicorn Hunt") from 1506 was the donation of Johannes Parchem, a vicar of the cathedral. Mary holds the golden unicorn on her lap. On the top right are the Magi. The depiction of a unicorn in Mary's lap is an allegory of the virginity of Mary. As it was "known" in the Middle Ages that unicorns have great confidence in virgins, this was a popular image.

The area around Lübeck, today a large city with a population of more than 200,000, had been settled by Slavs since the 7th century. Slavs had a settlement north of the present city called "Liubice", which was razed by the pagan Rani tribe in 1128. 15 years later Adolf II, Count of Schauenburg and Holstein, founded the modern town as a German settlement on the river island of Bucu. He built a new castle, first mentioned as existing in 1147. Adolf II had to cede the castle to the Duke of Saxony, Henry the Lion, in 1158. After Henry's fall from power in 1181, the town became an Imperial city. Emperor Barbarossa ordained that the city should have a ruling council of 20 members. With the council dominated by merchants, trade interests shaped Lübeck's politics for centuries. In the 14th century, Lübeck became the "Queen of the Hanseatic League", being by far the largest and most powerful member of that medieval trade organization. In 1375, Emperor Charles IV named Lübeck one of the five "Glories of the Empire", a title shared with Venice, Rome, Pisa, and Florence. Conflicts about trading privileges resulted in fighting between Lübeck (with the Hanseatic League) and Denmark and Norway – with varying outcome. While Lübeck and the Hanseatic League prevailed in conflicts in 1435 and 1512, Lübeck lost when it became involved in a civil war that raged in Denmark from 1534 to 1536. From then on Lübeck's power slowly declined. The city remained neutral in the Thirty Years' War, but the devastation from the decades-long war and the new transatlantic orientation of European trade caused the Hanseatic League – and thus Lübeck with it – to decline in importance. However, Lübeck still remained an important trading town on the Baltic Sea. The "Dom zu Lübeck" (Lübeck Cathedral) is around 130 meters long, one of the longest brick churches. In 1173, Henry the Lion laid the foundation stone of the cathedral as a cathedral for the bishopric of Lübeck. The then Romanesque cathedral was completed in about 1230 and rebuilt into a Gothic hall church between 1266 and 1335. At the same time the lengthening of the structure was done by erecting the pure Gothic east choir, completed in 1341 The length of the cathedral was doubled. Until the Reformation, the cathedral chapter was under the control of the bishop. After the Reformation, the cathedral became the joint property of the city and the cathedral chapter until 1803, when it became the sole property of the city with the dissolution of the cathedral chapter. The adjoining monastery became the site of the Museum am Dom at the end of the 19th century. After the heavy air raid on Lübeck on March 28-29, 1942, the eastern vault in the high choir collapsed, destroying the high altar from 1696. The fire in the neighbouring cathedral museum spread to the cathedral's roof truss. The next day the spires of the tower collapsed. As a result of the war, the unsecured gable of the northern transept collapsed in 1946. Reconstruction took several decades. The winged "Altar der Heiligen-Leichnams-Brüderschaft der Mühlenknechte" ("Altar of Brotherhood of the Mill Servants") created by the Lübeck artist Hans Hesse in 1460. In the centre are St. Martin, the Madonna of the Crescent Moon and St. Catherine (standing on Emperor Maxentius).

The area around Lübeck, today a large city with a population of more than 200,000, had been settled by Slavs since the 7th century. Slavs had a settlement north of the present city called "Liubice", which was razed by the pagan Rani tribe in 1128. 15 years later Adolf II, Count of Schauenburg and Holstein, founded the modern town as a German settlement on the river island of Bucu. He built a new castle, first mentioned as existing in 1147. Adolf II had to cede the castle to the Duke of Saxony, Henry the Lion, in 1158. After Henry's fall from power in 1181, the town became an Imperial city. Emperor Barbarossa ordained that the city should have a ruling council of 20 members. With the council dominated by merchants, trade interests shaped Lübeck's politics for centuries. In the 14th century, Lübeck became the "Queen of the Hanseatic League", being by far the largest and most powerful member of that medieval trade organization. In 1375, Emperor Charles IV named Lübeck one of the five "Glories of the Empire", a title shared with Venice, Rome, Pisa, and Florence. Conflicts about trading privileges resulted in fighting between Lübeck (with the Hanseatic League) and Denmark and Norway – with varying outcome. While Lübeck and the Hanseatic League prevailed in conflicts in 1435 and 1512, Lübeck lost when it became involved in a civil war that raged in Denmark from 1534 to 1536. From then on Lübeck's power slowly declined. The city remained neutral in the Thirty Years' War, but the devastation from the decades-long war and the new transatlantic orientation of European trade caused the Hanseatic League – and thus Lübeck with it – to decline in importance. However, Lübeck still remained an important trading town on the Baltic Sea. In 1160 Henry the Lion moved the bishopric of Oldenburg to Lübeck and endowed a cathedral chapter. In 1163 a wooden church was built, however, at the beginning of the 13th century, it was no longer sufficient to meet the representative demands of the self-confident burghers. St. Marien was built between 1250 and 1350. It has always been a symbol of the power and prosperity of the old Hanseatic city. It situated at the highest point of the island that forms the old town. Gothic cathedrals in France and Flanders made of natural stone were the models for the new construction of Lübeck's three-nave basilica. St. Marien epitomizes North German "Brick Gothic" and set the standard for many churches in the Baltic region. The church embodied the towering style of Gothic architecture using brick. The incentive for the City Council to undertake such an enormous project was rooted in the bitter dispute with the Lübeck bishopric. As a symbol of the long-distance merchants' desire for freedom and the secular power of the city, which had been free of the Empire since 1226, the church building in the immediate vicinity of Lübeck's city hall and the market square was intended to clearly and uncatchably surpass in size the city's bishop's church, Lübeck Cathedral. In March 1942, St. Marien (as well as the Cathedral and St. Peter) was almost completely burned out during the air raid on Lübeck, which destroyed one-fifth of the city centre. Reconstruction of the church began in 1947 and was essentially completed. The impressive "Antwerpener Retabel" was created in 1518. It was donated in 1522 by Johann Bone, a merchant from Geldern. During WWII the altarpiece was in the "Briefkapelle" (Chapel of Indulgences) and thus escaped destruction. The double-winged altarpiece depicts the life of the Virgin Mary. "Antwerp retable" is the collective name for a type of winged altarpiece that was produced in and around Antwerp workshops for export, especially in the first third of the 16th century. Even today, over 200 examples are preserved in churches and museums in various European countries.

The area around Lübeck, today a large city with a population of more than 200,000, had been settled by Slavs since the 7th century. Slavs had a settlement north of the present city called "Liubice", which was razed by the pagan Rani tribe in 1128. 15 years later Adolf II, Count of Schauenburg and Holstein, founded the modern town as a German settlement on the river island of Bucu. He built a new castle, first mentioned as existing in 1147. Adolf II had to cede the castle to the Duke of Saxony, Henry the Lion, in 1158. After Henry's fall from power in 1181, the town became an Imperial city. Emperor Barbarossa ordained that the city should have a ruling council of 20 members. With the council dominated by merchants, trade interests shaped Lübeck's politics for centuries. In the 14th century, Lübeck became the "Queen of the Hanseatic League", being by far the largest and most powerful member of that medieval trade organization. In 1375, Emperor Charles IV named Lübeck one of the five "Glories of the Empire", a title shared with Venice, Rome, Pisa, and Florence. Conflicts about trading privileges resulted in fighting between Lübeck (with the Hanseatic League) and Denmark and Norway – with varying outcome. While Lübeck and the Hanseatic League prevailed in conflicts in 1435 and 1512, Lübeck lost when it became involved in a civil war that raged in Denmark from 1534 to 1536. From then on Lübeck's power slowly declined. The city remained neutral in the Thirty Years' War, but the devastation from the decades-long war and the new transatlantic orientation of European trade caused the Hanseatic League – and thus Lübeck with it – to decline in importance. However, Lübeck still remained an important trading town on the Baltic Sea. The "Dom zu Lübeck" (Lübeck Cathedral) is around 130 meters long, one of the longest brick churches. In 1173, Henry the Lion laid the foundation stone of the cathedral as a cathedral for the bishopric of Lübeck. The then Romanesque cathedral was completed in about 1230 and rebuilt into a Gothic hall church between 1266 and 1335. At the same time the lengthening of the structure was done by erecting the pure Gothic east choir, completed in 1341 The length of the cathedral was doubled. Until the Reformation, the cathedral chapter was under the control of the bishop. After the Reformation, the cathedral became the joint property of the city and the cathedral chapter until 1803, when it became the sole property of the city with the dissolution of the cathedral chapter. The adjoining monastery became the site of the Museum am Dom at the end of the 19th century. After the heavy air raid on Lübeck on March 28-29, 1942, the eastern vault in the high choir collapsed, destroying the high altar from 1696. The fire in the neighbouring cathedral museum spread to the cathedral's roof truss. The next day the spires of the tower collapsed. As a result of the war, the unsecured gable of the northern transept collapsed in 1946. Reconstruction took several decades and was finally completed in 1982. The winged "Altar der Maria-Magdalenen-Bruderschaft der Stecknitzfahrer" ("Mary Magdalene Brotherhood of the Stecknitzsailors") von 1422. The central panel has the carved figures of St. Catherine, the Virgin Mary and St. Barbara. Surrounded by the Annunciation (top left), Visitation (below), Nativity (top right) and the Magi (below). The Strecknitz sailors sailed the "Strecknitz Canal", which connected Lauenburg and Lübeck by linking the tiny rivers Stecknitz (a tributary of the Trave) and Delvenau (a tributary of the Elbe), thus establishing an inland water route across the drainage divide from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea. It was built 1391 - 1398 and included seventeen wooden locks. In the 1890s the canal was replaced by the enlarged and straightened "Elbe–Lübeck Canal".

The area around Lübeck, today a large city with a population of more than 200,000, had been settled by Slavs since the 7th century. Slavs had a settlement north of the present city called "Liubice", which was razed by the pagan Rani tribe in 1128. 15 years later Adolf II, Count of Schauenburg and Holstein, founded the modern town as a German settlement on the river island of Bucu. He built a new castle, first mentioned as existing in 1147. Adolf II had to cede the castle to the Duke of Saxony, Henry the Lion, in 1158. After Henry's fall from power in 1181, the town became an Imperial city. Emperor Barbarossa ordained that the city should have a ruling council of 20 members. With the council dominated by merchants, trade interests shaped Lübeck's politics for centuries. In the 14th century, Lübeck became the "Queen of the Hanseatic League", being by far the largest and most powerful member of that medieval trade organization. In 1375, Emperor Charles IV named Lübeck one of the five "Glories of the Empire", a title shared with Venice, Rome, Pisa, and Florence. Conflicts about trading privileges resulted in fighting between Lübeck (with the Hanseatic League) and Denmark and Norway – with varying outcome. While Lübeck and the Hanseatic League prevailed in conflicts in 1435 and 1512, Lübeck lost when it became involved in a civil war that raged in Denmark from 1534 to 1536. From then on Lübeck's power slowly declined. The city remained neutral in the Thirty Years' War, but the devastation from the decades-long war and the new transatlantic orientation of European trade caused the Hanseatic League – and thus Lübeck with it – to decline in importance. However, Lübeck still remained an important trading town on the Baltic Sea. The "Dom zu Lübeck" (Lübeck Cathedral) is around 130 meters long, one of the longest brick churches. In 1173, Henry the Lion laid the foundation stone of the cathedral as a cathedral for the bishopric of Lübeck. The then Romanesque cathedral was completed in about 1230 and rebuilt into a Gothic hall church between 1266 and 1335. At the same time the lengthening of the structure was done by erecting the pure Gothic east choir, completed in 1341 The length of the cathedral was doubled. Until the Reformation, the cathedral chapter was under the control of the bishop. After the Reformation, the cathedral became the joint property of the city and the cathedral chapter until 1803, when it became the sole property of the city with the dissolution of the cathedral chapter. The adjoining monastery became the site of the Museum am Dom at the end of the 19th century. After the heavy air raid on Lübeck on March 28-29, 1942, the eastern vault in the high choir collapsed, destroying the high altar from 1696. The fire in the neighbouring cathedral museum spread to the cathedral's roof truss. The next day the spires of the tower collapsed. As a result of the war, the unsecured gable of the northern transept collapsed in 1946. Reconstruction took several decades and was finally completed in 1982. The winged "Altar der Maria-Magdalenen-Bruderschaft der Stecknitzfahrer" ("Mary Magdalene Brotherhood of the Stecknitzsailors") von 1422. Seen here is just the right wing with the Nativity and the Magi. The Strecknitz sailors sailed the "Strecknitz Canal", which connected Lauenburg and Lübeck by linking the tiny rivers Stecknitz (a tributary of the Trave) and Delvenau (a tributary of the Elbe), thus establishing an inland water route across the drainage divide from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea. It was built 1391 - 1398 and included seventeen wooden locks. In the 1890s the canal was replaced by the enlarged and straightened "Elbe–Lübeck Canal".

Ratzeburg is known as an "island town" due to the location of its old town in the middle of Lake Ratzeburg and its connection with the mainland, which is only via three dams. The town was founded on the island in the 11th century by the local ruler, Prince Ratibor of the Polabians, who was nicknamed Ratse. In 1044 missionaries led by the monk Ansverus came into the region and built a monastery. In 1066 during a pagan rebellion, the monstery was destroayed and the monks were stoned to death. Ansverus was canonised in the 12th century and his relics were entombed in the Ratzeburg cathedral. Heinrich der Löwe (Henry the Lion) became the ruler of the town in 1143 and established a bishopric in 1154. The church, erected between 1160 and 1220, is located on the highest point of the northern tip of Ratzeburg's old town island. The cathedral was donated by Heinrich dem Löwen as the bishop's church of the Ratzeburg diocese. The impressive building, erected between 1160 and 1220, is located on the highest point of the northern tip of Ratzeburg's old town island. The cathedral was donated by Henry the Lion as the bishop's church of the Ratzeburg diocese. The cathedral is a three-nave Romanesque basilica with a transept, a Gothic cloister of the attached monastery (1251) on the north side and a massive west tower. Some elements of the original Romanesque construction were appropriately adapted during the Gothic period. A comprehensive restoration of the cathedral took place in the second half of the 19th century. After lightning struck during a thunderstorm in 1893, parts of the structure were destroyed by fire. Subsequent restorations were carried out until 1899. The last major restorations (1953-1966) restored the original condition. The late Gothic winged altar comes from the Lübeck workshop of Herman Rode and was created around 1490. In the center the Passion of Christ (you'll find 54(!) persons on this carving) The "Salvator Mundi" above is younger (baroque).

With more than 500.000 inhabitants Hannover is the capital and largest city of the German state of Lower Saxony. Hannover was founded in medieval times on the east bank of the River Leine. It was a small village of ferrymen and fishermen. It became a comparatively large town in the 13th century, receiving town privileges in 1241, owing to its position at a natural crossroads. It was connected to the Hanseatic League city of Bremen by the Leine and was situated north-west of the Harz mountains so that east-west traffic passed through it. In the 14th century the main churches of Hanover were built, as well as a city wall with three city gates. Between 1714 and 1837 three kings of Great Britain were concurrently also Electoral Princes of Hanover. As an important railway and road junction and production centre, Hannover was a major target for strategic bombing during World War II. More than 90% of the city centre was destroyed in a total of 88 bombing raids. So today Hannover lacks it´s medieval heart. Only a few buildings - like this one- got rebuilt and restored. - The Gothic Marktkirche ( Marktkirche St. Georgii et Jacobi) replaced an older Romanesque church, which foundations were found during an excavation in 1952. An appeal to the citizens for donations to build the church dates back to 1344, and work began on the foundations of the tower in 1347. Around 1360 the church was consecrated. In 1368, the construction of the church tower was interrupted due to times of emergency and plague and the resulting lack of money. From 1852 to 1855, the interior of the church was restored. During the air raids on Hannover during WWII, the church was destroyed except for the outer walls and the columns. Reconstruction took place in 1946-1952. The altar was originally a double-wing altar. It was created around 1480, but was moved to another church in 1663 when the Baroque altar (donated by Johann Duve)(see the fountain) was installed. From there it was transferred to the Guelph Museum in 1856 and therefore it remained undestroyed during the war (except for the outer wings) and has been back in the Marktkirche since 1952. When the wings are open, the Passion of Jesus can be seen in 21 scenes carved from limewood, based on graphic models by Martin Schongauer

The town of Adenau, located in the Eifel, a mountain range stretching west to Belgium, is known since 992 when it was mentioned in a document by King Otto III under the name "Adenova". In 1162, Ulrich von Are donated his manor in Adenau to the Knights of St. John (Sovereign Military Order of Malta). Adenau thus became the third oldest branch of this order in Germany. A church dedicated to St John the Baptist probably already existed in the 10th century. When Ulrich von Are had his manor in Adenau to the Knights of St. John "his" church was probably part of the deal. In the 12th century, two side aisles were added and in the 13th century a new choir, which was used exclusively by the Knights of St John. At the end of the 15th century, the nave was vaulted. In 1908/09, the old choir and sacristy were demolished and a new building erected. The old nave was completely destroyed at the end of WWII, so that a new building was erected in 1969. Parts of the old outer walls were converted into an atrium. Following the information given in the church, the Gothic winged retable was created in the early 16th century and renovated in the 1860s.

Schwerin is the capital German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with less than 100000 inhabitants it is the least populous of all German state capitals. Schwerin is enclosed by lakes. In the middle part of these lakes was a settlement of the Slavic Abodrites way before 1000. The settlement was first mentioned in 1018. After Henry the Lion had defeated the Abodrites, he had the defences rebuilt and granted city rights. 1160 is therefore traditionally regarded as the "German" year of Schwerin's foundation. After Henry the Lion had now subjugated the lands of the Obotrites, he appointed a bishop in the (already abandoned) bishopric of Mecklenburg. This bishop moved the bishopric from remote Mecklenburg to Schwerin in 1167. There, in the presence of Henry the Lion himself, an act of consecration took place in 1171 on the Romanesque predecessor building of today's cathedral. At this time, only the apse will have been completed. The entire cathedral was not consecrated until 1248. Of this building, not much is left. When Count Heinrich von Schwerin returned from the Crusade in 1222 he presented the church the valuable relic of the Holy Blood. So the cathedral became the most important pilgrimage church in north-eastern Germany. The Romanesque basilica was too small - and so the construction of the new Schwerin Cathedral began around 1270. In 1327 the new choir was completed. By the end of the 14th century, the transept and the nave were finished except for the vaults. Builders from Stralsund completed the windows of the nave and its vaulting in 1416, thus ending the building history of the Gothic basilica of Schwerin Cathedral. The very most of the cathedral´s medieval furnishing got lost during the iconoclasms of the Reformation and the later "renovations". None of the 42 side-altars survived and even the "Holy Blood" relic was burned by Duke Johann Albrecht around 1550. The Gothic winged altar is in an inventory from 1553. It was donated by the Bishop of Schwerin, Konrad Loste, as can be read in the reconstructed inscription below the panel: "Anno domini mccccxcv reverendus in Christo pater et Dominus D. Conradus Loste episcopus Sverinensis hanc tabulam de propriis suis donavit". Of the entire altar, only the reredos with wings has survived. The central picture is carved from sandstone about 1420/30. Depicted are the Carrying of the Cross, Crucifixion, Ascension of Christ into Hell and the guardians of the grave. Note the "Hell´s mouth" on the right corner. The devils look like little monkeys - and as it is Christ´s victory, Satan is bound to the pillar.

Slavic Obodrites lived in the area, where Wismar is now, until the end of the 12th century. The exact date of the city's foundation is not clear, it had civic rights already in 1229 when migrants from Holstein and Westphalia settled here. The "Lübsches Stadtrecht" (town law) was confirmed in 1266. In 1259 Wismar joined a defensive agreement with Lübeck and Rostock, in order to counter the numerous Baltic pirates. Subsequently, more cities would agree to cooperate as commerce and trade were increasingly coordinated and regulated. These policies would provide the basis for the development of the "Hanseatic League". By the 13th and 14th centuries, Wismar had grown into a flourishing Hanseatic trading hub. In 1632, during the Thirty Years' War, Sweden conquered the city, and the Swedish Crown received in the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 after the end of the Thirty Years' War. Swedish rule over Wismar ended de facto in 1803 when Sweden pledged the city to the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin for 99 years. Formally, Wismar reverted to Germany in 1903 and Sweden waived its right to redeem the pledge. Wismar is a typical representative of the Hanseatic League with its city-wide Brick Gothic structures and gabled patrician houses and has alongside the historical old town of Stralsund been declared the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar". The Nicolaikirche (Church St. Nicholas) was built from 1381 until 1487 as a church for sailors and fishermen. St. Nicholas is a fine testaments to mediaeval brick architecture in northern Germany. In 1381, the city council commissioned the master mason Heinrich von Bremen to complete the choir. The consecration of the high altar is documented for 1403. Heinrich von Bremen continued to work until 1415. In 1434 work was carried out on the north aisle and later the south aisle. Under the direction of Peter Stolp and Hermann von Münster in 1459, the work was completed to such an extent that the church could be consecrated. From 1485 to 1487, Hans Mertens built the two upper storeys of the tower, and the spire was added in 1508. In December 1703, a storm destroyed the spire. Its parts smashed through the roof and the vaults of the nave. Many pieces of the interior furnishings were destroyed. Afterwards, the tower received a transverse gable roof and the nave a flat ceiling. The renovation of the furnishings lasted until the second half of the 18th century. It was not until 1867 that a vault was erected again. The air raids during the Second World War caused only minor damage to the church. After the Second World War, the Nikolaikirche was the least damaged of all the large churches in Wismar. Many works of art had been stored away and thus survived the war, but the churches lay in ruins and the important Marienkirche was later blown up. The Thomasaltar (altar of St Thomas) originally stood in the church of the Dominicans and after the dissolution of the convent, in 1562, in St Georgen. The double-winged triptych was carved and painted around 1500, and the themes of the depictions are unusual. In the centre, Thomas Aquinas, the most important theologian of the Dominican Order, is flanked by Thomas of Canterbury and the Apostle Thomas. The double wings allow for a threefold transformation of the triptych. Seen here is the "feast side" On the left are two depictions. The upper one shows a scene set during the imprisonment of Thomas Aquinas. On the way to Paris, his brothers are trying to tear the robe from his body to dissuade him from his plan. In the scene, Frederick II (wearing a crown) can be seen; this is to suggest that the assault was done with his consent. Below, he kneels before the Prior of the Convent of Naples and receives his habit from two monks. On the right side, there are also two depictions. The upper scene shows him as a lecturer, surrounded by students. Thomas seems to be enraptured. Below, he kneels before Pope Urban IV. He presents him with a book and is accompanied by two cardinals, a bishop and two clerics.

Slavic Obodrites lived in the area, where Wismar is now, until the end of the 12th century. The exact date of the city's foundation is not clear, it had civic rights already in 1229 when migrants from Holstein and Westphalia settled here. The "Lübsches Stadtrecht" (town law) was confirmed in 1266. In 1259 Wismar joined a defensive agreement with Lübeck and Rostock, in order to counter the numerous Baltic pirates. Subsequently, more cities would agree to cooperate as commerce and trade were increasingly coordinated and regulated. These policies would provide the basis for the development of the "Hanseatic League". By the 13th and 14th centuries, Wismar had grown into a flourishing Hanseatic trading hub. In 1632, during the Thirty Years' War, Sweden conquered the city, and the Swedish Crown received in the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 after the end of the Thirty Years' War. Swedish rule over Wismar ended de facto in 1803 when Sweden pledged the city to the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin for 99 years. Formally, Wismar reverted to Germany in 1903 and Sweden waived its right to redeem the pledge. Wismar is a typical representative of the Hanseatic League with its city-wide Brick Gothic structures and gabled patrician houses and has alongside the historical old town of Stralsund been declared the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar". The Nicolaikirche (Church St. Nicholas) was built from 1381 until 1487 as a church for sailors and fishermen. St. Nicholas is a fine testaments to mediaeval brick architecture in northern Germany. In 1381, the city council commissioned the master mason Heinrich von Bremen to complete the choir. The consecration of the high altar is documented for 1403. Heinrich von Bremen continued to work until 1415. In 1434 work was carried out on the north aisle and later the south aisle. Under the direction of Peter Stolp and Hermann von Münster in 1459, the work was completed to such an extent that the church could be consecrated. From 1485 to 1487, Hans Mertens built the two upper storeys of the tower, and the spire was added in 1508. In December 1703, a storm destroyed the spire. Its parts smashed through the roof and the vaults of the nave. Many pieces of the interior furnishings were destroyed. Afterwards, the tower received a transverse gable roof and the nave a flat ceiling. The renovation of the furnishings lasted until the second half of the 18th century. It was not until 1867 that a vault was erected again. The air raids during the Second World War caused only minor damage to the church. After the Second World War, the Nikolaikirche was the least damaged of all the large churches in Wismar. Many works of art had been stored away and thus survived the war, but the churches lay in ruins and the important Marienkirche was later blown up. The Marienaltar (Altar of the Virgin Mary) was created in the late 15th century. The altar with the seven carved figures that originally stood in the Dominican monastery in Wismar. The shrine has numerous missing parts. Some attributes of the figures are missing, as is almost all of the colouring. This also applies to the paintings on the outer sides of the wings. In the centre is a crescent moon Madonna. Mary is surrounded by six Holy Virgins, who cannot be fully recognised due to the partial absence of attributes.

Slavic Obodrites lived in the area, where Wismar is now, until the end of the 12th century. The exact date of the city's foundation is not clear, it had civic rights already in 1229 when migrants from Holstein and Westphalia settled here. The "Lübsches Stadtrecht" (town law) was confirmed in 1266. In 1259 Wismar joined a defensive agreement with Lübeck and Rostock, in order to counter the numerous Baltic pirates. Subsequently, more cities would agree to cooperate as commerce and trade were increasingly coordinated and regulated. These policies would provide the basis for the development of the "Hanseatic League". By the 13th and 14th centuries, Wismar had grown into a flourishing Hanseatic trading hub. In 1632, during the Thirty Years' War, Sweden conquered the city, and the Swedish Crown received in the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 after the end of the Thirty Years' War. Swedish rule over Wismar ended de facto in 1803 when Sweden pledged the city to the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin for 99 years. Formally, Wismar reverted to Germany in 1903 and Sweden waived its right to redeem the pledge. Wismar is a typical representative of the Hanseatic League with its city-wide Brick Gothic structures and gabled patrician houses and has alongside the historical old town of Stralsund been declared the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar". The Nicolaikirche (Church St. Nicholas) was built from 1381 until 1487 as a church for sailors and fishermen. St. Nicholas is a fine testaments to mediaeval brick architecture in northern Germany. In 1381, the city council commissioned the master mason Heinrich von Bremen to complete the choir. The consecration of the high altar is documented for 1403. Heinrich von Bremen continued to work until 1415. In 1434 work was carried out on the north aisle and later the south aisle. Under the direction of Peter Stolp and Hermann von Münster in 1459, the work was completed to such an extent that the church could be consecrated. From 1485 to 1487, Hans Mertens built the two upper storeys of the tower, and the spire was added in 1508. In December 1703, a storm destroyed the spire. Its parts smashed through the roof and the vaults of the nave. Many pieces of the interior furnishings were destroyed. Afterwards, the tower received a transverse gable roof and the nave a flat ceiling. The renovation of the furnishings lasted until the second half of the 18th century. It was not until 1867 that a vault was erected again. The air raids during the Second World War caused only minor damage to the church. After the Second World War, the Nikolaikirche was the least damaged of all the large churches in Wismar. Many works of art had been stored away and thus survived the war, but the churches lay in ruins and the important Marienkirche was later blown up. The Schifferaltar (mariners' altar) was donated by the sailors' and mariners' brotherhood to the St. Nicholas Church around 1500. It was probably created by a local workshop. The central figure is a crescent moon Madonna accompanied by Nicholas (of Bari) and James the Elder, two saints particularly revered by seafarers. They stand for two of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Middle Ages: Santiago de Compostela and Bari.

Slavic Obodrites lived in the area, where Wismar is now, until the end of the 12th century. The exact date of the city's foundation is not clear, it had civic rights already in 1229 when migrants from Holstein and Westphalia settled here. The "Lübsches Stadtrecht" (town law) was confirmed in 1266. In 1259 Wismar joined a defensive agreement with Lübeck and Rostock, in order to counter the numerous Baltic pirates. Subsequently, more cities would agree to cooperate as commerce and trade were increasingly coordinated and regulated. These policies would provide the basis for the development of the "Hanseatic League". By the 13th and 14th centuries, Wismar had grown into a flourishing Hanseatic trading hub. In 1632, during the Thirty Years' War, Sweden conquered the city, and the Swedish Crown received in the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 after the end of the Thirty Years' War. Swedish rule over Wismar ended de facto in 1803 when Sweden pledged the city to the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin for 99 years. Formally, Wismar reverted to Germany in 1903 and Sweden waived its right to redeem the pledge. Wismar is a typical representative of the Hanseatic League with its city-wide Brick Gothic structures and gabled patrician houses and has alongside the historical old town of Stralsund been declared the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar". The Nicolaikirche (Church St. Nicholas) was built from 1381 until 1487 as a church for sailors and fishermen. St. Nicholas is a fine testaments to mediaeval brick architecture in northern Germany. In 1381, the city council commissioned the master mason Heinrich von Bremen to complete the choir. The consecration of the high altar is documented for 1403. Heinrich von Bremen continued to work until 1415. In 1434 work was carried out on the north aisle and later the south aisle. Under the direction of Peter Stolp and Hermann von Münster in 1459, the work was completed to such an extent that the church could be consecrated. From 1485 to 1487, Hans Mertens built the two upper storeys of the tower, and the spire was added in 1508. In December 1703, a storm destroyed the spire. Its parts smashed through the roof and the vaults of the nave. Many pieces of the interior furnishings were destroyed. Afterwards, the tower received a transverse gable roof and the nave a flat ceiling. The renovation of the furnishings lasted until the second half of the 18th century. It was not until 1867 that a vault was erected again. The air raids during the Second World War caused only minor damage to the church. After the Second World War, the Nikolaikirche was the least damaged of all the large churches in Wismar. Many works of art had been stored away and thus survived the war, but the churches lay in ruins and the important Marienkirche was later blown up. The Krämeraltar (Krämer = merchant) originally stood in the Marienkirche. It was donated to the church around 1430 by the grocers, the merchants. Surrounded by a golden halo, Mary stands with the infant Jesus on a silver crescent moon. Accompanied by two angels making music, the little Christ plays on a bagpipe. First rimw I see this talent! Mary is flanked on one side by the dragon-slaying Archangel Michael (patron saint of shopkeepers) and St Maurice. On the right, the Adoration of the Magi

Slavic Obodrites lived in the area, where Wismar is now, until the end of the 12th century. The exact date of the city's foundation is not clear, it had civic rights already in 1229 when migrants from Holstein and Westphalia settled here. The "Lübsches Stadtrecht" (town law) was confirmed in 1266. In 1259 Wismar joined a defensive agreement with Lübeck and Rostock, in order to counter the numerous Baltic pirates. Subsequently, more cities would agree to cooperate as commerce and trade were increasingly coordinated and regulated. These policies would provide the basis for the development of the "Hanseatic League". By the 13th and 14th centuries, Wismar had grown into a flourishing Hanseatic trading hub. In 1632, during the Thirty Years' War, Sweden conquered the city, and the Swedish Crown received in the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 after the end of the Thirty Years' War. Swedish rule over Wismar ended de facto in 1803 when Sweden pledged the city to the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin for 99 years. Formally, Wismar reverted to Germany in 1903 and Sweden waived its right to redeem the pledge. Wismar is a typical representative of the Hanseatic League with its city-wide Brick Gothic structures and gabled patrician houses and has alongside the historical old town of Stralsund been declared the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar". The Nicolaikirche (Church St. Nicholas) was built from 1381 until 1487 as a church for sailors and fishermen. St. Nicholas is a fine testaments to mediaeval brick architecture in northern Germany. In 1381, the city council commissioned the master mason Heinrich von Bremen to complete the choir. The consecration of the high altar is documented for 1403. Heinrich von Bremen continued to work until 1415. In 1434 work was carried out on the north aisle and later the south aisle. Under the direction of Peter Stolp and Hermann von Münster in 1459, the work was completed to such an extent that the church could be consecrated. From 1485 to 1487, Hans Mertens built the two upper storeys of the tower, and the spire was added in 1508. In December 1703, a storm destroyed the spire. Its parts smashed through the roof and the vaults of the nave. Many pieces of the interior furnishings were destroyed. Afterwards, the tower received a transverse gable roof and the nave a flat ceiling. The renovation of the furnishings lasted until the second half of the 18th century. It was not until 1867 that a vault was erected again. The air raids during the Second World War caused only minor damage to the church. After the Second World War, the Nikolaikirche was the least damaged of all the large churches in Wismar. Many works of art had been stored away and thus survived the war, but the churches lay in ruins and the important Marienkirche was later blown up. The winged altar dates from around 1430. It is about 10.5 metres wide and 4.42 metres high - and is the largest of its kind in the entire Baltic region. It was the altar of St. Georgen, where it survived the war secretly walled up. It was rediscovered within the ruins of the church by chance in 1953 and - after a long renovation - is placed now in St. Nicholas. The altar has 42 figures of saints on the front and 16 painting panels on the back.

Slavic Obodrites lived in the area, where Wismar is now, until the end of the 12th century. The exact date of the city's foundation is not clear, it had civic rights already in 1229 when migrants from Holstein and Westphalia settled here. The "Lübsches Stadtrecht" (town law) was confirmed in 1266. In 1259 Wismar joined a defensive agreement with Lübeck and Rostock, in order to counter the numerous Baltic pirates. Subsequently, more cities would agree to cooperate as commerce and trade were increasingly coordinated and regulated. These policies would provide the basis for the development of the "Hanseatic League". By the 13th and 14th centuries, Wismar had grown into a flourishing Hanseatic trading hub. In 1632, during the Thirty Years' War, Sweden conquered the city, and the Swedish Crown received in the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 after the end of the Thirty Years' War. Swedish rule over Wismar ended de facto in 1803 when Sweden pledged the city to the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin for 99 years. Formally, Wismar reverted to Germany in 1903 and Sweden waived its right to redeem the pledge. Wismar is a typical representative of the Hanseatic League with its city-wide Brick Gothic structures and gabled patrician houses and has alongside the historical old town of Stralsund been declared the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar". The Nicolaikirche (Church St. Nicholas) was built from 1381 until 1487 as a church for sailors and fishermen. St. Nicholas is a fine testaments to mediaeval brick architecture in northern Germany. In 1381, the city council commissioned the master mason Heinrich von Bremen to complete the choir. The consecration of the high altar is documented for 1403. Heinrich von Bremen continued to work until 1415. In 1434 work was carried out on the north aisle and later the south aisle. Under the direction of Peter Stolp and Hermann von Münster in 1459, the work was completed to such an extent that the church could be consecrated. From 1485 to 1487, Hans Mertens built the two upper storeys of the tower, and the spire was added in 1508. In December 1703, a storm destroyed the spire. Its parts smashed through the roof and the vaults of the nave. Many pieces of the interior furnishings were destroyed. Afterwards, the tower received a transverse gable roof and the nave a flat ceiling. The renovation of the furnishings lasted until the second half of the 18th century. It was not until 1867 that a vault was erected again. The air raids during the Second World War caused only minor damage to the church. After the Second World War, the Nikolaikirche was the least damaged of all the large churches in Wismar. Many works of art had been stored away and thus survived the war, but the churches lay in ruins and the important Marienkirche was later blown up. The winged altar dates from around 1430. It is about 10.5 metres wide and 4.42 metres high - and is the largest of its kind in the entire Baltic region. It was the altar of St. Georgen, where it survived the war secretly walled up. It was rediscovered by chance in the 1950s and is placed now in St. Nicholas. The altar has 42 figures of saints on the front and 16 painting panels on the back. See here is the central part. I was unable to take a "total" with my camera. for the try see the previous upload.

After the defeat by Henry the Lion in the Battle of Verchen in 1164, Obotrite Prince Pribislaw submitted in 1167 and was baptised. One of Henry's conditions was the obligation to spread Christianity in the country by building monasteries. The Doberan Abbey was the first monastery founded in Mecklenburg, in 1171, as a daughter house of the cistercian Amelungsborn Abbey. The first community was massacred in 1179 in the unrest following the death of Pribislaw, and the abbey was re-founded in 1186. It became a political, social and spiritual centre in the region. The Romanesque monastery church, consecrated in 1232, was replaced after the fire of 1291 by a High Gothic church, the construction of which was probably begun in 1295. The new Gothic building was consecrated in 1368. The church was the most important burial place of the sovereign princes in the Middle Ages. After the Reformation, the monastery was dissolluted and the properties passed to the sovereign in 1552. The relics were removed from the monastery church and the monastery facilities were partially destroyed. Duke Ulrich of Mecklenburg-Güstrow wanted to preserve the church as the burial place of the princely house and so a first restoration of the monastery church began. The buildings were were looted and damaged in 1637 during the Thirty Years' War, and the church was used as a warehouse. During the French occupation of Mecklenburg by Napoleon from 1806 to 1813, the remaining buildings suffered further damage, and the monastery church was again used as a warehouse. Restorations took place from 1883 to 1896 and from 1962 to 1976. The Cistercians had good relations with France, from where the architecture of the former monastery church was strongly influenced. The vaulted nave is 76 metres long, 11 metres wide and 26 metres high. The double sided cross altar divided the monks`choir pews in the eastern part from the lay brothers' seating in the western part. The winged altar with and the monumental triumphal (attributed the "Meister der lübeckischen Triumphkruzifixe") cross above date from around 1360/70. It was probably largely completed by the time of the church's final consecration in 1368. It is the most monumental work of its kind and time in Europe. Both works are closely connected with the art of the north German Master "Bertram von Minden". The eastern side of the crossaltar.

After the defeat by Henry the Lion in the Battle of Verchen in 1164, Obotrite Prince Pribislaw submitted in 1167 and was baptised. One of Henry's conditions was the obligation to spread Christianity in the country by building monasteries. The Doberan Abbey was the first monastery founded in Mecklenburg, in 1171, as a daughter house of the cistercian Amelungsborn Abbey. The first community was massacred in 1179 in the unrest following the death of Pribislaw, and the abbey was re-founded in 1186. It became a political, social and spiritual centre in the region. The Romanesque monastery church, consecrated in 1232, was replaced after the fire of 1291 by a High Gothic church, the construction of which was probably begun in 1295. The new Gothic building was consecrated in 1368. The church was the most important burial place of the sovereign princes in the Middle Ages. After the Reformation, the monastery was dissolluted and the properties passed to the sovereign in 1552. The relics were removed from the monastery church and the monastery facilities were partially destroyed. Duke Ulrich of Mecklenburg-Güstrow wanted to preserve the church as the burial place of the princely house and so a first restoration of the monastery church began. The buildings were were looted and damaged in 1637 during the Thirty Years' War, and the church was used as a warehouse. During the French occupation of Mecklenburg by Napoleon from 1806 to 1813, the remaining buildings suffered further damage, and the monastery church was again used as a warehouse. Restorations took place from 1883 to 1896 and from 1962 to 1976. The Cistercians had good relations with France, from where the architecture of the former monastery church was strongly influenced. The vaulted nave is 76 metres long, 11 metres wide and 26 metres high. The double sided cross altar divided the monks`choir pews in the eastern part from the lay brothers' seating in the western part. The winged altar with and the monumental triumphal (attributed the "Meister der lübeckischen Triumphkruzifixe") cross above date from around 1360/70. It was probably largely completed by the time of the church's final consecration in 1368. It is the most monumental work of its kind and time in Europe. Both works are closely connected with the art of the north German Master "Bertram von Minden". The western side of the crossaltar.