St. Stephan, Catholic church in Innenstadt-West, Karlsruhe, Germany
St. Stephan is a Catholic church in Karlsruhe's Innenstadt-West district featuring neoclassical architecture and a central dome positioned above a Greek cross floor plan. The structure displays unplastered facades and is topped by a 43-meter tower that can be seen from multiple locations throughout the city center.
Architect Friedrich Weinbrenner designed and built the church between 1808 and 1814 following the specifications of Grand Duke Karl Friedrich of Baden. It was created as a significant new structure for the Catholic community during a period of political reorganization in Baden.
The church was named to honor the Catholic Grand Duchess Stéphanie de Beauharnais, carrying a name tied to the region's ruling family. Inside, visitors can see a Trinity relief by Hans Morinck placed beneath the dome.
The building is easily accessible from various parts of the city center, with its distinctive tower serving as a helpful landmark for navigation. Visitors should note this is an active place of worship, so visiting hours may vary depending on religious services being held.
The design draws inspiration from ancient Rome, particularly the Pantheon, and was originally planned without the tower now standing above it. The initial scheme included four corner structures that were never built, which would have completely changed how the site appears today.
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