St. Johan church
St. Johan church seen from the tower of St. Mary church.
Construction works at St. Johan church started in 1360. At the beginning of 15th century the main part of the church was built. In 1415 construction works of presbytery, tower and transept started. During 15th and 16th centuries craft guilds, famous families, and other organisations founded 13 altarsdedicated to St. Mary, Holy Cross, St. Jacob and others. In the middle of 16th century St. Johan church became lutheran church and the altars became to dissapear. Instead of them, the new stone altar made by Abraham van den Blocke was built in 1612.
In 1543 a fire destroyed the church tower, it was rebuilt after 24 years. Soon after the problems with stability of the building came. Too heavy, with too weak foundation church began unevenly deposited on an unstable, boggy ground. Construction was strengthened several times since the end of the 16th century, throughout the 17th and 18th century. In the year 1650 two Baroque houses was built on the south side of the chancel. In the years 1680-1690 the Zappio-Johannitana library was founded by Zechariah Zappio Foundation at the church.
St. Johan church on old postcards and photos.
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Interior of St. Johan church.
) | The main nave of the church with a group of the Crucifixion from 1482 |
) | Group of the Crucifixion from 1482 |
) | Main altar made by Abraham van den Blocke from the beginning of 17th century |
) | Organ by Peter Bringemanna from 1630 |
) | Pulpit from 1616 |
Baroque houses at St. Johan church.
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Old gate at St. Johan church at Minogi street (Neunaugengasse).
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In March 1945 the church burned down. After the war, the building was provisionally secured, and the equipment was transferred to St Mary church. During next years the church fell into further decay. In May 1986 one of the pillars and part of the vault collapsed. Renovation of the church began at least in 1996.
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