St. John the Baptist (Magdeburg)

Saint John the Baptist Church

St. Johann the Baptist is a Protestant church in the old core of the Magdeburg district of Klein Ottersleben , directly opposite the local estate, which is probably due to a medieval predecessor complex.

history

The exact year the church was founded is unknown today. Although older local research already assumed that the foundation stone would be laid in the 10th or 11th century, based on the existing structure, construction cannot be assumed before the last quarter of the 12th century.

When Magdeburg was destroyed in 1631, according to contemporary sources, only the tower and the outer walls of the nave were left of the church building. Until the reconstruction, the walls were used as a sheepfold. From 1783 an organ is mentioned that survived the turmoil of the following wars and is today the oldest still playable organ in Magdeburg.

Building

The church is structurally a mix of styles from different eras. Romanesque elements, and early and late Gothic elements on the ship, can be seen on the exterior with the massive, compact field stone west tower with arched sound hatches and corner blocks . The simple furnishings are largely attributable to the baroque era and renovations in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The neighboring school and rectory from the 19th century, which belong to the ensemble, are still essentially preserved.

literature

• Hans-Joachim Krenzke: Churches and monasteries in Magdeburg (Magdeburg 2000).

Coordinates: 52 ° 5 '52 "  N , 11 ° 33' 58.8"  E