Münster St. Maria und Markus, Romanesque abbey in Mittelzell, Germany.
Münster St. Maria und Markus is a Romanesque abbey church located in the center of Reichenau and features a three-nave basilica with architectural elements spanning multiple centuries. The building combines its original core with later additions such as the Gothic choir, making different construction styles clearly visible throughout the interior and exterior.
The monastery was founded in 724 by the wandering monk Pirmin with support from Karl Martell and evolved from its initial wooden structure to a stone building by the 8th century. Throughout the Middle Ages, the abbey expanded into an important spiritual center and received significant donations that strengthened its influence in the region.
The church served as a pilgrimage destination for centuries, drawing visitors who came to venerate the precious relics housed within its walls. Today, the treasury displays artifacts from different eras that reflect how deeply this place mattered to religious life and devotion.
The building is easily accessible on foot and the interior can be viewed with a guided tour that provides good introduction to the church's history. The best time to visit is early morning or afternoon when fewer visitors are present and the light through the windows is more appealing.
The last emperor of the united Frankish Empire, Charles III, is buried within this church and his gravestone bearing the inscription CAROLVS III IMPERATOR from 888 remains visible today. This resting place of one of the most important rulers of early medieval history gives the location a special historical weight.
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