St. Bartholomäus

St. Bartholomaeus is a three-nave church standing on a hillside below the Great Castle in Blankenburg's old town. The building displays Romanesque architecture with later modifications and occupies a central position between the castle above and the marketplace below.

Construction of the parish church began between 1186 and 1246 under Count Siegfried II. Later it became a monastery church in 1252, serving as a religious house for canons and Cistercian nuns.

Four donor figures in the choir represent the counts who funded construction. A Renaissance pulpit from 1582 displays carved representations of faith, love, hope, and justice.

The church sits on a slope and is accessible on foot from the marketplace. Regular guided tours are offered, and visitors can see the interior furnishings including the organ from the 20th century.

The building contains a major organ from 1932 that underwent extensive renovation in 2010. It also serves as a waystation on the Harz Monastery Trail, a 67-kilometer hiking route.

Location: Blankenburg

GPS coordinates: 51.78778,10.95450

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:22