St. Johannes Evangelist, Parish church in Oberstadt, Marburg, Germany.
St. Johannes Evangelist, known as the Kugelkirche, is a single-nave late Gothic church with six bays, a five-eighth polygonal choir, and a west transept. Its north wall is windowless, while large traceried windows on the south side and choir light the interior. The 1516 net vault rests on slender wall shafts and is painted with Gothic ray-crowns and foliage.
Construction of this medieval church began between 1492 and 1495, with completion occurring around 1520. It was originally built as part of a monastery operated by the Kugelherren brotherhood.
The nickname Kugelkirche and the street name Kugelgasse come from the brothers' headgear: a cap with a long tip called a Gugel. The church was built for the Brothers of the Common Life, whose former monastery it belonged to until the community was dissolved in 1527.
The church is located in the upper city district and can be accessed on foot through various pathways. Visitors should check ahead for opening times, as they may vary depending on scheduled events.
The nickname Kugelkirche and the street name Kugelgasse both come from the brothers' headgear: a cap with a long tip called a Gugel. The church was not founded by the brothers; it belonged to their monastery, which was dissolved in 1527.
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