Maria Ablass Kapelle, Religious chapel in Altstadt-Nord, Germany.
Maria Ablass Kapelle is a church building in Cologne's Altstadt-Nord district with a Renaissance portal dating from 1687 and Gothic windows. The structure features white exterior plaster walls and a slate roof, standing today among 1950s buildings on Maria-Ablass-Platz.
The building was created in 1431 as an extension to protect a Marian image on the outer wall of an earlier church and was first recorded in 1528. Renaissance elements were added later, shaping the structure's current appearance.
The chapel now serves the Russian Orthodox community of Cologne, with interior arrangements that follow Orthodox religious traditions. Historical epitaphs on the walls connect the building to different periods of worship and community use.
The chapel is centrally located on Maria-Ablass-Platz and is easily accessible on foot. Keep in mind that the building is actively used for worship and visiting times should respect religious services.
A local legend connects the building to Knight Bruno von Mauenheim, who attached his foot shackles next to the Marian image after escaping imprisonment. This gesture of gratitude remained part of the place's memory over time.
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