Frauenkirche, Gothic church in Görlitz, Germany

Frauenkirche is a late Gothic hall church in central Görlitz, directly south of the Jugendstil department store on Demianiplatz. Its nave has three aisles and the choir one, with high tracery windows and a net-rib vault whose carved keystones show the Seven Joys of Mary, the four Evangelist symbols and four female saints. The side walls are rubble masonry; only the single west tower is built of ashlar blocks.

A wooden church dedicated to Our Lady stood outside the city walls by the mid-14th century; it was demolished in March 1431 so Hussite troops could not occupy it. The foundation stone of the present church was laid on 7 May 1459, and it was consecrated on 29 May 1473 before completion. In 1696 the west tower was raised by 10½ ells and topped with a 40-ell wooden structure.

The church's name refers to "Unser Lieben Frauen", and the cemetery around it was laid out in 1350 for plague victims outside the town gates. In autumn 1989 the Frauenkirche was the starting point of the town's peace prayers. A small bell cast in 1717 survives in the Kulturhistorisches Museum Görlitz.

The church is typically open to visitors during daytime hours, with extended access during summer months. Visitors should be aware that services take place regularly, so maintaining quiet and respect for worshippers is important.

The west portal's left spandrel above the doors hides a pair of dogs, carved by the stonemasons out of whim and humour. Below the wide flat arch stand two figures under canopies: Mary kneeling at a prayer desk and the Archangel Gabriel announcing her divine motherhood.