St. Mary's Church, Gothic church in Stralsund, Germany
St. Mary's Church is a red brick church building in Stralsund, Germany, featuring three naves, a transept and an ambulatory surrounded by chapels. The tower rises 104 meters (341 feet) above street level, while the nave extends approximately 100 meters (328 feet) in length.
Construction began in the 13th century as part of Stralsund's development into a Hanseatic trading center. A lightning strike in 1647 destroyed the spire that had been the world's tallest structure since 1549.
The dedication to Mary reflects medieval devotion common in northern German trading cities, where merchants and guilds sought her protection. The ambulatory chapels once served individual craft guilds and wealthy families, each maintaining their own space for prayer and remembrance.
A viewing platform at 90 meters (295 feet) is accessible via stairs inside the tower, providing panoramic views over the old town and the Baltic coastline. The climb requires reasonable fitness as there is no elevator available.
The flying buttresses remain hidden beneath the side aisle roofs, creating a smoother exterior silhouette than most Gothic structures display. This technique was a northern German brick innovation rarely seen elsewhere in Europe.
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