Stiftskirche

The Stiftskirche is a church building in Pfaffen-Schwabenheim that blends late Romanesque design with Baroque hall church elements, with its eastern section forming the building's most defined area. Inside, you can see Gothic and Romanesque forms side by side across different sections of the church.

The church was founded in 1040 by Count Eberhard VI of Nellenburg and consecrated in 1049 by Pope Leo IX. Major reconstruction around 1230 significantly altered the building's form and structure.

The church serves as a pilgrimage destination for devotees of Maria de Pace, and visitors can observe this spiritual significance through the way people use the space for prayer and reflection. This form of worship has shaped the religious life of the community for generations.

The interior features a valuable organ built between 1777 and 1779 by Matthäus Heilmann, still containing its original pipes. The layering of different architectural styles makes a visit informative, as you can clearly observe how the building evolved over time.

The choir section shows an unusual blend of late Romanesque and French Gothic elements that were uncommon in German architecture of that era. This mixing creates unexpected spatial effects that many visitors overlook but that quietly shape the experience inside.

Location: Pfaffen-Schwabenheim

GPS coordinates: 49.85000,7.95338

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:20