St. Jakobi, Mühlhausen/Thüringen

St. Jakobi is a Gothic church in Mühlhausen characterized by its tall central spire and a five-aisled interior supported by slender columns. The arrangement of these pillars creates distinct sections within the hall, emphasizing the vertical space and giving the interior a sense of openness.

The building was first documented in 1296 as an offshoot of St. Mary's Church, though archaeological work has revealed an even older church structure from the 11th century beneath it. This discovery shows that religious worship has taken place on this site for nearly a thousand years.

The church is named after Saint James and reflects the role it once played in the spiritual life of merchants and craftspeople who lived in this trading city. Today it serves as the municipal library, showing how sacred spaces adapt to serve their communities in new ways.

The church is located in the old town center near Lentzeplatz within the medieval fortifications and functions as a public library. Since it now serves as a cultural institution, visitors should check the library's opening hours to ensure access during their visit.

In 1525 the reformer Thomas Müntzer served as pastor here and used the pulpit to preach messages that inspired peasant uprisings. This made the church a focal point of social change and political ferment during one of the most turbulent periods in European history.