Magdalenenkapelle, Gothic church building in Old Town, Erfurt, Germany
Magdalenenkapelle is a Gothic church building in Erfurt's Old Town featuring pointed arches and stone walls typical of medieval architecture in the region. Inside, it now functions as a columbarium with 420 urn spaces arranged according to a design by artist Evelyn Körber.
The building was first documented in 1227 and served as a cemetery chapel until the adjacent burial ground closed in 1546 following the Reformation. Since then the structure has changed its purpose multiple times, adapting to the city's evolving needs.
The chapel is named after Saint Mary Magdalene and shows how a building can shift its meaning for the community over time. Today it serves as a place of remembrance and is visited by those seeking a quiet space for reflection.
The building sits near Erfurt Cathedral and is easily accessible on foot when exploring the Old Town. Visitors should keep in mind that it functions as a memorial space and should be entered with quiet respect.
Between its religious functions, the building housed the Theater in der Kapelle from 1992 until 2011, demonstrating how flexible the space could be adapted. This unusual phase allowed many people to experience what is normally a silent memorial as an active cultural venue.
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