Kreuzkirche Eisenach

The Kreuzkirche is a baroque church in central Eisenach, located at the edge of the Old Cemetery and featuring traditional German baroque elements throughout. The building has a rectangular floor plan with a distinctive tower and is constructed entirely of masonry with detailed facade details.

The church was built in 1697 according to Johann Mützel's designs and used stone from the demolished towers of the former Eisenach Cathedral. The reuse of these materials shows how new buildings often emerged from the remains of earlier structures.

The church displays Latin inscriptions above its north and south portals, documenting its dedication and acknowledging Duke Johann Georg I's support. These inscriptions reveal the power structures and religious practices of the period to visitors today.

The building now serves as an archive for the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Thuringia and houses documents related to the region's church history. Visitors should check in advance whether tours are possible, as the space primarily functions as a workplace.

After suffering damage during World War II, the church was carefully restored while maintaining its original baroque features across three centuries. This continuity is particularly striking given the changes in its use and the region's turbulent history.