Schloss- und Pfarrkirche St. Mariä Himmelfahrt, Castle church and parish in Köthen, Germany
The castle church and parish of St. Mariä Himmelfahrt is a neoclassical building in Köthen with a Greek cross floor plan, high barrel vaults, and slender pillars. Large bright windows in the side aisles flood the interior with light and create its characteristic bright, open appearance.
The building was constructed between 1827 and 1832 under orders from a ducal family and was unusual for its time, as the city was predominantly Protestant. This ambitious project demonstrates how a Catholic family sought to express their presence within a different religious setting.
The church takes its name from a Catholic tradition and displays artworks throughout its interior that visitors encounter while walking through. The space is shaped by both modern and historical pieces that together define the character of this place.
Visitors can enter the church on most days of the week and should expect the entrance at Stiftstraße, where parking is available. It helps to check opening times beforehand and remember that the interior furnishings are best viewed in daylight.
The bell tower houses several bells, with the oldest dating from the early 1800s and bearing Latin inscriptions. These historical bells form a sounding heritage that has accompanied generations of visitors and residents over more than two centuries.
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