Stadtkirche Winterthur, Reformed church in Winterthur, Switzerland
The Stadtkirche Winterthur is a church building with twin towers that dominate the old town center, marked by gothic features such as pointed-arch windows and carved stonework. The interior shows simple structure with a high central nave and side aisles typical of medieval hall churches.
The building was constructed in the medieval period and has shaped the center of Winterthur for centuries. After the 16th century Reformation, it was converted to a Protestant place of worship, with Catholic artworks removed or melted down.
The church is dedicated to Winterthur's three patron saints, Laurentius, Alban and Pankratius, though the Laurentius name is documented only from 1350. The medieval cemetery around it was deconsecrated in 1826 and turned into today's church square around 1850. Inside, look for the 1656 baptismal font by Hans Conrad Frey and the 1507 grave slab of Elsbeth von Bach, carved during her lifetime; she died of plague in 1519.
The church stands at Kirchplatz 1 in the old town, on ground used as a cemetery until 1826 and turned into a square around 1850. The two towers are not open to climb; the bells hang in both, the two largest in the south tower. Enter from the square to see the 1922–1924 west gallery and the coffered ceiling.
The wall paintings by Paul Zehnder were made between 1923 and 1930, not in a single year. Prophets of the Old Testament line the side-aisle walls, while New Testament scenes fill the nave; above the chancel arch, Christ stands on Mount Tabor between Elijah with the book and Moses with the tablets of the law.
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