Lomography

St. Boniface Minster
written by mephisto19 on May 9th, 2008 (2 votes)

Please activate JavaScript to see this gallery.

In 812 Count Bernhard requested the church he has founded to be used as the last resting-place for himself and his wife Christina. So after his death in 826, the church became a monastery of Fulda Abbey. Saint Romanus’ relics were transferred from Rome and kept in the crypt.

In 1209 the Romanesque basilica was destroyed by a fire. First time, the name of the church was Saint Boniface, 1241. 39 years later, in 1280, the church was enlarged into Gothic style finished in 1378. The new paintings of church interior were made in 1384. 1540 became an important year. The Lutheran Reformation arrived in Hamelin. In 1803, Napoleonic troops seized the Minster and used it as armory and stable. After the French retreat, there were no resources to rebuild the church – it was almost falling into ruin. From 1870 to 1875, the Minster was rebuilt by Conrad Wilhelm Hase from Hannover, Germany. In the 20th century, some restoration-work was done and a new organ installed.

I like this Minster church, because of its two towers. They look interesting and different. When I first saw Hamelin through Lomographers eyes, I wanted to enter the church, but it was too late. So I came back and found it open (you can go there every day). It was much bigger than it looked from outside. There was a cross-exhibition and people you can talk with. The Küster (verger) told us, that we could climb up the tower! What a journey! You have to go up one tower, go over the roof of the church and climb up the second tower, where you have a great view over the city of Hamelin, the old houses, the river Weser and so on.

So if you are in Hamelin, you have to go there to have a panoramic view (take horizon and fisheye with you ;-)) over the city.

Tel 0049 5151 24787
www.hamelner-muenster.de (in german)