The feldsteinkirsche - feild stone church - from 1156
Enroute to Lubeck, Jurgen took me to see this field stone church that had been built in 1156 (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicelinkirche_(Ratekau)). I had already commented to him how in some places in Italy all you see are churches and since, as I have mentioned before, I am not a religious person (spiritual yes, religious no) sometimes the constant orientation of everything around religion can become tiring and you almost cease to pay much attention. That is why the roman ruins are so fascinating because they are not about a religion. But I digress. Jurgen showed me this church near his home that had been built in 1156. I had never seen a church like this and it was fascinating to me. Very old clearly. And made of stone. Something so simple and primitive about it.
Jurgen walking alongside the church
The architecture of the churches in Germany was much different to those of Italy. I think as well, Catholicism is so present and forefront in everyday life in Italy whereas religion in Germany is much more muted and many Germans do not consider themselves religious. However the testament to the role of religion in their history is still there. I like the story as Jurgen put it, relayed here with his permission. Dates not necessarily accurate.
Me right at the bottom holding up the tower which is slowly bulging outwards - hard to see in the picture - I think Jurgen said it was 1.4 m out of line
Sometime in the 1100’s – I think it was about 1152 or so, Rome sent a prominent business man (aka Bishop) to Germany and told him to find the best pieces of properties in potentially strong commerce centres (towns) and build a business centre (church). Make the business centres a similar with a tower and a bell. Inform the people of the area that when the bell rings in the business centre, they are to come to the business centre and listen to some information (a service) and to give money to the business man (offertory) and that money would be sent back to Rome. In this way, Rome could make money from these far off territories and these places would follow Rome’s guidance.
Many angles and many roofs of a very old church
Of course this carried on until a man named Martin Luther came along in 1519 or sometime around that and told the people that the elements of religion that were coming from Rome did not make sense to the Germans and he translated the bible into German and started the Lutheran religion and broke away from Roman Catholicism. Lutheran is also the religion of Scandanavia. It is actually more accurately known as Evangelical and is a reformed Western Christianity. It’s simple premise is that it believed that the Bible was the sole authority on faith and that it was not necessary or right that only the papacy in Rome could interpret the bible’s meaning and set the rules – so to speak.
The very tall and grand interior of the St. Mary's church in Lubeck and the popular cross dome construction seen in most churches
But in anycase, I like this look at religion as it seemed less dominating and gave so power of thought to the individual instead of them having to abide by someone else’s direction which at times does not make sense. That’s my opinion anyway. Certainly the churches in Germany have a different feel to the ones in Italy and their style and size can feel very imposing yet also simple. It’s hard to explain. You’ll just have to see them for yourself.
This amazing clock that is apparently in a number of churches throughout Germany. Don't tell me though how to tell the time from it.