The Church of St. Sebald in Nuremberg, also known as St. Sebald, is one of the two main churches in the city, alongside St. Lawrence. It is located in the northern half of the old town, not far from the main market. The church is most famous for the Sebaldus sepulchre, which was created by Peter Vischer the Elder and his two sons between 1509-19. Other works of art can be found in the church from the famous Nuremberg sculptors Veit Stoss and Adam Kraft, as well as executed designs by Albrecht Dürer.
The foundation of the church is said to have been established around 1050/60 by the legendary hermit Sebald, who died around 1070. It is said that the team of oxen carrying his body stopped at the site where the towers of Sebaldus church now stand, and the Peter chapel was built in that location. Another theory suggests that Sebald himself built the chapel in 1050. The church was eventually renamed to St. Sebald due to reported miracle cures at his grave from 1070 on, which led to the setting of pilgrimages.
The Peter chapel was replaced by a late Romanesque pillar basilica in the years 1230-40, which was consecrated in 1274/75. The extension of the aisles and the heightening of the towers in high Gothic style took place 1309-45, followed by the construction of the late Gothic hall choir between 1358-79. The galleries were installed and a baroque design was carried out in the mid-17th century. A restoration was carried out in the years 1888-1906 under Karl Alexander Heideloff, and an extensive restoration followed in 1957 under the leadership of architect Josef (Joseph?) Schmitz.
The Bamberg Cathedral, completed in 1237, was likely the model for Sebaldus church’s Doppelchörigkeit (consisting of two chancels). During World War II, all roofs, the chancel arch, and the towers of the church were largely destroyed. The restoration was led by architect William Schlegtendal and was completed in 1957, but some areas are still being restored to this day.
The church contains many unique works of art, such as the Schreyer-Landauer-Epitaph by Adam Kraft, the Sebaldus sepulchre, the Loeffelholzaltar, and glass paintings mainly from foundations of the Nuremberg patriciate. The silver shrine of Sebaldus sepulchre was twice forced open by thieves in 1461 and 1506. Diagonally across from St. Sebald is the Sebalder rectory with a small Sebald choir and the last preserved medieval courtyard of Nuremberg.
The northern place of the church, known as Sebald square, was part of the surrounding church cemetery until 1520, officially designated as “Behind St. Sebald”. Despite its turbulent history, the Church of St. Sebald remains an important cultural landmark of Nuremberg and a testament to the city’s rich history and cultural identity.
Posted by Josef Lex (El buen soldado Švejk) on 2010-05-17 15:11:00