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The carved limewood Altar of the Virgin by Tilman Riemenschneider in the Herrgottskirche at Creglingen

Church

Herrgottskirche, Creglingen

The Herrgottskirche stands on its own in a quiet side valley just outside Creglingen, about 20 minutes east of Weikersheim. Inside is the Altar of the Virgin, carved in limewood by Tilman Riemenschneider in the early 16th century and never painted, so every fold of cloth and every face shows the hand of the master.

Why visit

Tilman Riemenschneider, who worked in Würzburg around 1500, was one of the greatest sculptors of the late Middle Ages. Some of his altars were left unpainted, a new idea at the time, so that light and shadow play across the bare wood. The Altar of the Virgin in Creglingen is one of his finest, and the small church that holds it, in a peaceful valley among fields and trees, makes the visit feel like a discovery.

What to see

  • The central shrine: the Virgin Mary rising to heaven, surrounded by angels, with the apostles gathered below.
  • The side panels: scenes from the life of Mary in delicate relief.
  • The faces: look closely at the apostles, each with his own expression and character.
  • The other altars: the church has more late Gothic altars, all worth a look.

Nearby

Opposite the church is a small museum devoted to thimbles, and Creglingen itself has a pretty old centre on the Tauber. Rothenburg is about 20 minutes further on, so the church fits easily into a day on the Romantic Road.

Tips

  • Opening hours are shorter in winter. Check before you travel.
  • Bring a few euros in cash for admission.
  • Combine it with Rothenburg in our Rothenburg day trip.
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