Thomaskirche

Overview

Location: Leipzig, Germany, Europe

Theme: Historic Sites

Leipzig’s Thomaskirche is famous as the church where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as choirmaster for 27 years.

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Thomaskirche

On the official World Monuments Fund Watch List: 2000

Constructed in Leipzig, Germany, in the early 13^th century by the Augustinian monastic order, Thomaskirche, or St. Thomas Church, has been the site of several of Leipzig's most important cultural and historical events. The church initially operated as a monastery before housing the University of Leipzig in the 15^th century and the St. Thomas school in the 16^th century. In 1539 Martin Luther introduced religious reform to Leipzig while preaching at St. Thomas Church. In the 18^th century, Bach served as choirmaster at Thomaskirche, and many notable composers, including Mozart, performed there. Originally constructed in the Romanesque style, the building was later altered in the gothic period. Romanesque features are still present in the building and can be found in a window on the north side of the choir, portions of the lower floor of the tower, the crossings, arches, and corbels. Set to 63 degrees and dating to 1486, the church’s roof was an engineering feat in its era. The steep-pitched front gabled roof has been, and continues to be, an enduring feature of the Leipzig skyline.

Thomaskirche holds both historical and architectural significance. Important historical figures and monumental events were associated with the structure. The church is a striking example of Romanesque and gothic architecture in the region and the roof—innovative for its time—remains a unique feature of the building and the cityscape.