Morizkirche

Morizkirche is a Protestant church dedicated to Saint Maurice in Coburg, Bavaria, and is the town's oldest church. Its earliest remaining structures date back to the 14th century, which superseded a church from the 12th century. Construction began around 1310.  The earliest surviving section is the eastern choir, completed in 1330. In the 15th century, the west portal with its two towers was demolished and replaced by the current structure with its two dissimilar towers.

Martin Luther is known to have given several sermons there in 1530. This church currently houses the family tomb of the Dukes of Coburg. In modern times, Morizkirche serves as the main church for the congregation of St. Moriz. Due to the height of its towers, the church is one of the landmarks of Coburg. It is also one of the most important Luther memorial sites in southern Germany.

The interior of the late Gothic hall church was refurbished in Baroque style in the middle of the 18th century. Thus most of what is visible of the interior today dates from the 1740-1742 renovation. Architect Johann David Steingruber created the current structure with two galleries. In this refurbishment, much of the Gothic interior was destroyed or changed substantially.

The church contains the tomb of the Ducal family. It is dominated by the 13 m high Renaissance alabaster epitaph for Duke Johann Friedrich II, by sculptor Nikolaus Bergner (finished in 1598).

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Kirchhof 3, Coburg, Germany

Details

Founded: c. 1310
Category: Religious sites in Germany
Historical period: Habsburg Dynasty (Germany)