Bergkirche St. Marien, Gothic church in Annaberg-Buchholz, Germany.
Bergkirche St. Marien is a Gothic church in Annaberg-Buchholz distinguished by its stone ornaments and colored glass windows. The building displays both Gothic and Renaissance features and defines the town's skyline with its tall structure.
Duke Georg the Bearded, founder of Annaberg, laid the foundation stone in 1502, and the church was financed by the miners' guild's 'Büchsenpfennige'. It was built between 1502 and 1511 as Saxony's only miners' church. City fires in 1604, 1630, 1664 and 1731 partly destroyed it; the present exterior dates from 1736. The bell was melted down in World War I, and a new bronze bell was cast in 1996.
The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and anchors the town square with its commanding presence. It served as a gathering place for the mining community and remains central to local life and traditions.
The church is easily accessible from the town square and can be explored on foot. Visitors should note that service times may affect visits and it is wise to check ahead.
The church's bronze bell was melted down in World War I; the present bell, cast by Kunst- und Glockengießerei Lauchhammer, was only hung in 1996 through the efforts of the Bergknapp- und Brüderschaft "Glück auf" Frohnau. It measures 790 mm across, weighs 295 kg and sounds the note b′.
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