Kreuzkirche, Medieval church ruins in Melsbach, Germany
The Kreuzkirche is a ruined structure with a Gothic floor plan that originally consisted of a single-nave design. The entrance portal and southern wall remain visible, situated on a flat hill near the village of Melsbach.
The church was constructed between the 10th and 11th centuries and first appears in written records in 1399 as part of a monastery in Andernach. This early foundation demonstrates how long the site served as a religious location.
The church served as a gathering place where Christians met and later attracted pilgrims, especially until the Reformation period. The name itself reflects the religious importance this place held for the local community.
The ruins are located at the southern entrance of Melsbach along the main road from Neuwied, positioned east of the modern sports field. Visitors can easily spot and reach the remains on foot from the road.
Archaeological excavations near the church uncovered three human skeletons dating to the 6th century. This discovery suggests a Christian presence at the site that predates the visible ruins.
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