Of course, there are more churches in Schwerin than just three but these are ‘must see’ churches and they are easily to reach just walking in the center of the old town.
The most important of course is the big cathedral. It is a former Roman Catholic cathedral. The very first one was made of timber and only in 1172 the building of a stone (or better brick) church was started. It should take 76 years before the new cathedral could be consecrated in 1248.
Like all the Roman Catholic churches also this one is a beautiful church with a lot of details. It appears very Nordic because of the bright colors, the white and the sedate green and red are matching perfectly together (reminding the Italian flag!)
Impressive is the huge triumph cross in the same colors which is coming originally from the cathedral in Wismar.
The altar had a curious artwork. The crucifixion of Christ is shown in bright colors. An overdone work as always of those times but it has a lot of brighter colors than normally these works have.
The rosette looked great in its colors. The sun was shining just on the window and gave the colors a beautiful shine that could be seen also on the floor.
The second church to see is St. Paul’s church. Again the brick Gothic style from outside with high windows and a lot of details.
Opening the door in summer time is like a shock: it’s extremely cold inside. But only the temperature because in interior looks amazing again.
I wanted to see St. Paul’s church because I have seen some photos of the ceiling paintings. And they are really beautiful. Blue, white, green and the red brick are so perfect together. Also, this church is restored accurately and appears in its full splendor.
This New Gothic and bright church was built between 1863 and 1869 in only 6 years. Interesting – and that’s because it’s a ‘new’ church – it has a steal beam truss and is built in the most modern way of the time.
I do love the high pillars so accurate worked out. They make the church seem endlessly high and narrow. Very impressive! And the pillars in their ending go over into the ceiling with the cross vault. A beautiful work.
The last one is the Shelfkirche. I wanted to see this church because of the strange name. Normally a church has the name of the saint to which it is dedicated. This time the name is from the quarter where the church is situated.
The church was once the burial place of the House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. One of the most famous members of this family is the third queen of Prussia, Sophia Louise of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
The church – or burial place – was built in 1238. A storm in the early 18th century destroyed the church completely and so it was rebuilt in 1713 in the now modern Baroque style.
The church is dedicated to St. Nikolai. The form of the church is of course a cross but has a very short foot. That makes her appear tiny and a little bit compact. The church is an example of modern Protestant church architecture of the early 18th century. The construction was paid by Lübeck and Hamburg.
Well, that is the history. And the church today? Looks small and beautiful. On the right and on the left there are very nice spiral staircases, half seen the bottom of the stairs. On the walls a lot of white, some light, modern paintings, just for giving some color decoration.
The dark brown timber of the benches, pillars and three balconies give a great contrast to the rest of the bright and light-flooded church.
The altar is made of the same dark timber and has only one painting. Also, this one incredibly bright.
All the three churches are a real ”must see” in Schwerin. They don’t give the sometimes a little bit heavy feeling of the Roman Catholic churches but not even this cold and unfriendly feeling in the other Protestant churches.
Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern/Germany:
For further information:
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern website
