Wehrkirche Horka, Fortified church in Horka, Germany
The Wehrkirche Horka is a fortified church on a gentle hill surrounded by a circular rampart approximately 50 meters (164 feet) in diameter with crenellations. Above the gateway stands a library built in 1729 that holds historical books used for clergy education.
The structure was expanded as a defensive fortress during the Hussite Wars between 1420 and 1434, with approximately 72 local residents contributing to the construction. The rampart and fortifications were built in response to the threats of that era.
The Alexkammer is a barrel-vaulted room from Romanesque times, now used as a sacristy where visitors can observe the blend of medieval and Gothic architectural styles.
Access to the site is through the historic gateway, from which visitors can explore the rampart and fortifications. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the old pathways and walls can have uneven surfaces.
Old records mention three underground passages connecting the church to nearby locations, one of which was discovered by an innkeeper in 1945. These hidden tunnels reveal how important underground escape and supply routes were for the site's defense.
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