Sunday… So off to Church

Marienkirche, Rostock, Germany

( The Church of Saint Mary )

Hiding behind the town houses and shops of Rostock, as if they seek to be as close as possible, is the enormous Church of St. Marys. It is indeed a towering construction, like many Hanseatic Churches, it is a brick construction (clay being prolific in the region).  Dating back to 1265, like most religious buildings, it is surmised to have been built on an earlier religious site.

Step inside and you have high ceilings and giant windows, nearly 30 meters high.

Back down at ground level you will find three enormous Bells.

They are a reminder of turbulent times and near disaster that overtook the Church.  Rostock was the target on many WW2 bombing raids.  On one raid, in 1942,  incendiary bombs hit St, Marys. Only by the quick think of a Church Sexton, his daughter and a German Air Force Officer, much was saved.  The Bells, I presume, had to be removed from the damaged Bell Tower.

Similarly the window glass was substantially destroyed, some stained glass windows have been restored, but in others, plain glass is the  option  for many of the tall  windows.

Two other ‘treasures’ were also protected.  One a Medieval Time Clock, a clock still working accurately to this day.   The other treasure is the 1720’s Baroque Organ, a visual work of art that dominates the nave ( I also guess, and from what I was told, the sound also as dominates the enormous body of the church ).   Miraculously many other equally historic items were saved and now back in their rightful places for you to discover should you visit.

Restoration work still continues and no doubt will continue for decades to come.  Thanks to quick think by a few and at enormous risky to themselves, we can still explore this dramatic church of St. Mary.

Not just on Sundays… but everyday……

Please Remember ….

Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

5th November

(C) David Oakes 2023