St. Christophorus-Kirche

St. Christophorus Church rises on a sandstone cliff above the village center with a Romanesque double-tower facade built from local stone. The building features a rectangular choir and a nave whose structure reflects typical characteristics of Romanesque design.

The church began as a castle chapel for the Counts of Reinhausen in the 10th century and was transformed into a Benedictine monastery church in the 12th century. This transformation shaped the religious function of the building for centuries to come.

The interior walls display frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries showing biblical stories and Saint Christopher carrying the Christ child. These painted scenes remain a defining feature of the interior and reflect the religious life of past centuries.

The church is open daily to visitors and sits on a cliff that requires a steep climb to reach. Good footwear is recommended to handle the ascent comfortably.

Reaching the church once required climbing three staircases carved directly into the rock, until a road was built in the early 19th century. This original access method shows how remote and difficult to reach the site remained for a long time.

Location: Gleichen

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

Address: Kirchberg 8

GPS coordinates: 51.46767,9.98343

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:26