Johanniskirche, church building in Brackenheim, Stuttgart Government Region, Bade-Württemberg, Germany
The Johanniskirche is a church building from the 13th century located on the southern edge of Brackenheim with thick stone walls and a simple, sturdy design. Inside, you can see pointed-arch windows in the choir, wall paintings from the 15th century depicting biblical scenes, a bronze bell from the 13th century, and gravestones from the 15th to 18th centuries.
The Johanniskirche was built around 1210 and first documented in 1246, possibly on the site of an older sacred place or as a baptism church for the nearby Martinskirche. When the Magenheim family's influence declined in the 14th century, the church came under Württemberg rule and was granted to the University of Tübingen around 1480.
The Johanniskirche is named after John the Baptist and has shaped community life in Brackenheim for centuries. It once served as the main burial site for the Magenheim family and remains a place of remembrance for local residents today.
The Johanniskirche stands on the southern edge of town in a quiet location next to the cemetery and surrounded by vineyards and fields. Access is limited since the church is only open for worship services and special occasions, so check ahead about opening times before your visit.
Above the former entrance stood a relief of a fertility goddess, an unusual finding that suggests pre-Christian roots at this site. Additionally, a small sacristy on the north side is believed to contain the burial of Sadok Seli Soltan, a Turkish officer who was baptized and buried there in the early 1300s.
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