Herrgottskirche, Gothic pilgrimage church in Creglingen, Germany

The Herrgottskirche is a single-nave Gothic church of rough light-tan stone with a steep red-tiled roof and a small dark dormer. An octagonal stair turret with a pyramidal roof and a balcony stands at the corner between nave and choir; there is no tower, only a small roof turret whose bell is still rung by hand. A pointed-arch portal with carved tracery opens at the base of the left facade, and two tall pointed windows light the right wall above a low retaining wall with upright gravestones.

The building was established in 1389 following the discovery of a consecrated host in a nearby field, an event that prompted the Hohenlohe-Brauneck family to found a pilgrimage site. This sacred discovery led to the construction of a church that drew pilgrims over many centuries.

The church's main work is the Marienretabel by Tilman Riemenschneider, 9.20 m high and 3.68 m wide, standing in the nave on an altar dedicated to the Body of Christ, the Virgin Mary and all saints. Its predella shows the Adoration of the Magi, the relic niche and the five-year-old Jesus preaching. The name Herrgottskirche recalls the Host found in the field.

The church stands about a kilometre south of Creglingen, on the Taubertal cycle path, and is designated a cycle-route church, so it can be reached on foot or by bike. The bell in the roof turret is still rung by hand. The nave is single-aisled with a strongly recessed polygonal choir, and the Riemenschneider retable stands in the middle of the nave, so allow time to walk around it.

On August 25th each year, sunlight passes through the western rose window and illuminates the altar in a way that echoes the theme of Mary's ascension depicted in the carved altarpiece. This optical effect appears to align with the church's religious purpose through careful architectural planning.