St. Katharinen

St. Katharinen, known locally as Katharinenkloster, is a stunning example of Gothic architecture nestled in the historic town of Stendal in Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany. This former monastery, constructed from red brick, stands as a testament to the region's rich cultural and religious history. Today, it serves as a vibrant venue for events and concerts, while also housing the Altmärkisches Museum since 1964.

A Journey Through Time: The History of St. Katharinen

The origins of St. Katharinen date back to 1456 when Elector Friedrich II of Brandenburg founded it as a Benedictine nunnery. However, the nuns adopted the Augustinian rule after 1469, transforming into Augustinian Canonesses. The Reformation brought significant changes, and in 1540, the monastery was converted into a secular foundation for noblewomen, which lasted until its dissolution in 1945.

Constructed on the site of the Hospital of the Holy Spirit in the latter half of the 15th century, the church of St. Katharinen was consecrated between 1472 and 1490. The church itself is a well-proportioned single-nave brick structure featuring a chancel with five sides of a decagon and a gabled roof with a ridge turret. The building is adorned with buttresses and illuminated by pointed arch windows, wider in the nave and narrower in the chancel. The design is reminiscent of St. Anne's Church in Stendal and the Elizabeth Chapel in Tangermünde.

A change in plans is evident from the third bay from the west, suggesting that the eastern part of the church was initially intended as a new chapel for the hospital and was completed as a nunnery church from 1461 onwards. Unfinished plans are noticeable in the three unused wall connections in the west wall, a portal with a stepped segmental arch, and a large six-part window of the former nuns' gallery, which was bricked up and fitted with two small openings after a fire in 1687.

Architectural Marvels of St. Katharinen

The interior of St. Katharinen is equally impressive. The base zone is divided by round-arched niches, which on the south side are expanded into rectangular chapels between the buttresses. The nave is covered with ribbed vaults supported by round services with capitals, while the chapels feature cross vaults.

The surviving former monastery buildings were restored between 1863 and 1865 by master builder Siepmann and later converted into a museum. From the Middle Ages, a narrow rib-vaulted cloister of the west wing and parts of the south wing remain. These structures once enclosed a nearly square courtyard north of the church. To the south lay the hospital buildings, which were demolished in the 19th century, leaving only a simple late Gothic entrance gate.

Exploring the Treasures Within

St. Katharinen is home to several noteworthy artifacts and memorials. At the southeast buttress of the chancel, visitors can find the gravestone of Beteke Rolekin with a depiction of the Crucifixion, dating back to 1441 from the previous hospital chapel. The church walls display a scratched gravestone of Knight Benedict Calve from the early 15th century and baroque inscription epitaphs of noblewomen from the Altmark region, mostly crafted in sandstone.

In the second bay on the north wall, the former bell of St. Katharinen Church is displayed. Cast in bronze, the bell bears a four-line Latin inscription, which translates to: This bell was cast at the expense of the Katharinenkloster and by arrangement of the Dominae of Vinzelberg and Convent as well as the monastery commissioner Hof Fiscal Corings and monastery supervisor Andreas Warnicke in Salzwedel by master C. B. Behrens in the year 1759.

Additionally, the church houses the original Roland statue of Stendal, with a replica now standing beside the town hall. The interior furnishings, including pews and galleries, are simple and modern. Former church furnishings, such as a carved winged altarpiece from the early 16th century, are now exhibited in the Altmärkisches Museum.

St. Katharinen Today

Today, St. Katharinen serves as a dynamic cultural hub, hosting a variety of events and concerts that breathe new life into its ancient walls. The Altmärkisches Museum within its premises offers visitors a glimpse into the region's history, with exhibits that span from the Middle Ages to modern times.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or simply looking for a unique cultural experience, St. Katharinen in Stendal is a must-visit destination. Its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural offerings make it a true gem in the heart of Sachsen-Anhalt.