Rieterkirche, Gothic fortified church in Kalbensteinberg, Germany.
Rieterkirche is a late Gothic hall church built of sandstone in Absberg with a 45-meter tower. This single-nave structure stands at 487 meters elevation in Middle Franconia and combines defensive elements with its religious function.
The church was built between 1464 and 1469 under the patronage of the Rieter von Kornburg family. Its funding through indulgence letters reflects the common practice of financing church construction in the region at that time.
The church holds artworks spanning different traditions, including an Orthodox icon and terracotta figures of saints. These pieces show how religious beliefs from various cultures have found their way to this rural location.
The church serves the parishes in the surrounding area and is accessible by road from the nearby villages. Visiting in the morning on weekdays tends to be quieter, making it easier to explore the interior.
A family crypt of the Rieter lineage lies beneath the altar, with the final burial dating to 1782. This hidden tomb reveals how closely the noble family remained connected to the building across three centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
