St. Jacobi, Brick Gothic church in Greifswald, Germany
St. Jacobi is a brick church in Greifswald that was built from red brick and developed its structure over several centuries. The building has eight thick round pillars, three naves, and colored choir windows that fill the interior with light.
The church began in the second half of the 13th century as a two-nave building and was transformed into a three-nave structure around 1400. This enlargement reflects how it adapted to meet the needs of its growing community.
The church displays typical Brick Gothic features with its massive pillars and vaults that immediately draw the eye upon entering. The three-nave interior creates a spatial effect that is characteristic of northern German churches from this period.
The building was thoroughly modernized between 1979 and 1982, with heating installed and new flooring added throughout. These updates make visiting more comfortable during colder months while preserving its historical appearance.
During the French occupation, the building was temporarily used as a field bakery while remaining structurally intact. This unusual episode shows how important the structure was to the local community, even during foreign rule.
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