St. Maria Magdalena und Lazarus, Early Gothic chapel at Melaten Cemetery, Cologne, Germany
St. Maria Magdalena und Lazarus is an early Gothic chapel located within Melaten Cemetery and notable for its structure with two distinct naves. The building contains ten glazed window openings filled with colored stained glass depicting various saints and biblical figures.
The chapel was established in 1243 and predates Cologne Cathedral by many decades. It originally functioned as a place of worship for leprosy patients alongside healthy congregation members, serving an important social role in the city.
The church is named after two saints associated with healing and redemption in Christian tradition. Visitors can trace this spiritual focus through the selection of saints depicted in the stained glass windows throughout the interior.
The chapel is easily accessible by public transportation, with KVB tram lines 1 and 7 stopping at Melaten station near the western section of the cemetery. Visitors should remember that the building sits within an active burial ground, so respectful conduct is important when exploring the site.
The roof turret houses a bell originally cast for the chapel of the old town hall of St. Maria in Jerusalem, creating a rare connection between Cologne and medieval sacred sites. This piece reflects the extensive trading and religious networks that linked European cities during the Middle Ages.
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