St. Martin, Medieval parish church in Linz am Rhein, Germany
St. Martin stands at the highest point of Linz am Rhein and displays a three-nave basilica with late Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. The building combines different construction techniques across its vaults, pillars, and exterior details.
Construction of the church began in 1206 and it received consecration in 1214, marking the start of over eight centuries of continuous religious use. The building underwent many changes and restorations that left visible layers of different construction periods.
The walls show large painted scenes from around 1240 depicting pilgrims traveling toward Santiago de Compostela along the Rhine route. These images reveal the church's role as a spiritual landmark on an important journey for medieval travelers.
The church is open during daylight hours for visitors who want to explore on their own or join guided tours. Morning and early afternoon offer the best light for viewing the painted walls inside.
A notable artwork is the Gnadenstuhl panel painting in the southern aisle showing God the Father holding Christ. This piece was originally commissioned by Tilman Joel for the town hall chapel before being relocated here.
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