Set in the middle of an idyllic old cemetery, St Johannis radiates a special magic, for all it is a simple, three-aisled half-timbered building. It lies in the western part of Wolfenbüttel known as Auguststadt, which the duke of the same name had built, after the 30 Years War, between 1653 and 1658 as an extension of the ducal residence.
The patron saint of the building, consecrated in 1663, is St John the Baptist. The church itself is the smallest of the three that are in the historic centre of Wolfenbüttel. Particularly worth a second glance is the bell tower, which is free standing. It was built in 1693, according to the plan of the court master builder Johann Balthasar Lauterbach, because the original tower was unstable.
Perhaps because the exterior of the church looks so modest, the interior, with its protestant building style is even more surprising. Memorial plaques to the master-builder Hermann Korb and the composer Johann Rosenmüller are set in the walls. In the choir are the medallions of Duke August the Younger and his wife Sophie Elisabeth, which visitors can appreciate close-up.
Church services: an up-to-date timetable for services in St Johannis may be found in the daily newspapers or on St Johannis’ website: https://www.propstei-wf.de
The patron saint of the building, consecrated in 1663, is St John the Baptist. The church itself is the smallest of the three that are in the historic centre of Wolfenbüttel. Particularly worth a second glance is the bell tower, which is free standing. It was built in 1693, according to the plan of the court master builder Johann Balthasar Lauterbach, because the original tower was unstable.
Perhaps because the exterior of the church looks so modest, the interior, with its protestant building style is even more surprising. Memorial plaques to the master-builder Hermann Korb and the composer Johann Rosenmüller are set in the walls. In the choir are the medallions of Duke August the Younger and his wife Sophie Elisabeth, which visitors can appreciate close-up.
Church services: an up-to-date timetable for services in St Johannis may be found in the daily newspapers or on St Johannis’ website: https://www.propstei-wf.de
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Price info
Group tours of the church are only available when pre booked by telephoneat a cost of €10 per group.
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Author
Lessingstadt Wolfenbüttel
Stadtmarkt 3-6
38300 Wolfenbüttel
Organization
Lessingstadt Wolfenbüttel
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