St. Marien und Andreas (Rathenow)

St. Marien und Andreas, also known locally as Stadtkirche Rathenow, stands as a testament to the rich historical and architectural heritage of Rathenow, a charming town in Brandenburg, Germany. This Gothic brick church, with its soaring spire and intricate design, is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of resilience and restoration. As you step into this grand edifice, you are instantly transported through centuries of history, architectural evolution, and cultural significance.

The History of St. Marien und Andreas

The origins of St. Marien und Andreas trace back to the early 13th century when a late Romanesque predecessor, constructed from brick, first graced this site. This initial structure was a cross-shaped pillar basilica, featuring a short nave, a likely square choir with a main apse, and a rectangular west tower. Although much of this early church has been lost to time, remnants of the transept still whisper tales of its ancient past.

The present Gothic structure began to take shape in the latter half of the 14th century. This significant reconstruction included the hall ambulatory choir with its polygonal closure, drawing inspiration from the choir of St. Nikolai Church in Spandau. Between 1517 and 1562, under the guidance of master builder Andreas Lindemann, the nave was transformed into a late Gothic hall church, with the nave walls aligned with the facades of the former transept.

The early neo-Gothic west tower, designed by Carl Wilhelm Redtel, replaced the original west structure between 1824 and 1828. Interestingly, a more elaborate design by Karl Friedrich Schinkel was proposed in 1821 but ultimately set aside.

Destruction and Restoration

The turbulent events of World War II left St. Marien und Andreas in ruins. On April 27, 1945, incendiary bombs set the church ablaze, destroying much of its interior and leaving only the surrounding walls standing. The tower suffered significant damage from artillery fire, and the vaults of the nave, choir, and Marienkapelle were obliterated. The restoration journey has been long and arduous, beginning with makeshift repairs to the nave in the 1950s and continuing with the reconstruction of the choir and vaults in the 1990s and 2010s.

One of the most notable restoration efforts occurred in 2001 when the damaged upper section of the tower was rebuilt. This remarkable feat involved assembling the tower helmet in three segments using a helicopter. The restoration work is ongoing, with significant renovations planned for 2024, including the reconstruction of the vaults in the choir.

Architectural Marvels of St. Marien und Andreas

The exterior of St. Marien und Andreas is a study in Gothic elegance. The four-bay, three-aisled nave features simple yet striking four-part windows. The north and south walls each boast a portal flanked by circular blind arches. The remnants of the original transept facades, adorned with cross-arch friezes and German bands, are still visible in the masonry of the easternmost bay, adding layers of historical texture to the structure.

The choir, largely restored to its former glory, is characterized by its three-part windows, buttresses, and a tracery frieze beneath the main cornice. The choir's outer walls connect to the former semicircular side apses of the transept, cleverly concealed by two choir angle chapels. The southern Andreas Chapel, with its irregular octagonal shape and steep pyramid roof, serves as a sacristy. The northern Marienkapelle, with its rectangular form and semicircular closure, features a stepped pointed arch portal and a richly adorned upper story.

The neo-Gothic west tower, with its pointed arch openings and stepped corner buttresses, stands at an impressive height of 75.40 meters. The viewing platform, located 51 meters above ground, offers breathtaking panoramic views of Rathenow and its surroundings.

The Interior of St. Marien und Andreas

Inside, St. Marien und Andreas reveals a spacious hall with profiled arcades resting on round pillars adorned with ascending spiral bands of glazed bricks. The side aisles are segmented by segmental arch niches along their longitudinal and western walls. The late Romanesque triumphal arch in the former east wall of the transept, flanked by the side apses, remains a significant historical feature.

The original vaults, including star vaults in the choir and eight-part rib vaults with keystone stars in the nave, have been meticulously restored. The southern Andreas Chapel boasts a rib vault supported by low consoles, adding to the overall architectural splendor of the interior.

Artistic Treasures and Sacred Relics

While much of the original interior furnishings were lost during the war, several precious items have survived. A three-part winged altar from around 1380, restored between 1922 and 1925, showcases intricately carved figures of Mary and four female saints, believed to represent the Virgines capitales. The altar wings feature tempera paintings of six apostles, reflecting Bohemian influences.

Another notable artwork is a large oil painting depicting Christ before the High Council, dating to around 1700. This painting, comparable to works in Stölln, Helmstedt, and Tangermünde, portrays a courtroom scene with Christ at its center, inviting viewers to engage with the narrative.

Among the church's sacred relics is a late Romanesque gilded silver chalice, likely crafted in a Lower Saxon workshop. The engraved round shields on the cup relate thematically to the relief medallions on the base, adding a layer of symbolic richness.

The epitaph for city scribe Andreas Nesen and his wife Anna, dating from 1571, features a panel painting of the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the oldest view of Rathenow. The predella depicts the deceased's family kneeling beside the Salvator mundi.

Additionally, a bronze bell with an inscription band, cast around 1400, and four sandstone epitaphs from the mid-18th century, adorned with Rococo decorations and putti, are preserved at the church's north wall.

St. Marien und Andreas is more than a church; it is a living chronicle of Rathenow's history, resilience, and architectural brilliance. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or a spiritual seeker, a visit to this magnificent church promises a profound and enriching experience.