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Description
Marienkapelle Ludwigsstadt - a mysterious circular building with a turbulent history
At the junction of the county road to Steinbach an der Haide stands an extraordinary building: the deconsecrated Marienkapelle of Ludwigsstadt. The striking round building with an octagonal half-timbered upper floor measures about 10 meters in diameter and still seems like an architectural puzzle that kindles curiosity.
Its roots stretch far back: The current, progressive structure rests on a foundation that was presumably laid in the second half of the 14th century and belonged to an older preceding building in octagonal shape. The current round building was erected in the years 1487/88 according to a tree-ring dating of a ceiling beam. Although the use as a "Marienkapelle" could not be unequivocally proven in archaeological excavations, a sacral use of the building can be proven. The first documentary mention as a "Marienkapelle" dates from the year 1584 and is found in a purchase contract between Christoff von Thüna (Lord of Lauenstein) and the tailor Peter Frank.
With the Reformation, the usage fundamentally changed: In the second half of the 16th century, the chapel was deconsecrated and initially used as a residential and tap house. Later it served the community as a hospital and poorhouse. Another turning point came in 1789, when the nail-blacksmith Meinhardt bought the building and set up a smithy on the ground floor. The Meinhardt family owned the chapel for almost 200 years - and with it is also linked a well-known personality of Ludwigsstadt: The local poetess Rosa Meinhardt lived in the "Marienkapelle” for over 50 years.
In the 20th century, the building passed into public hands: In 1986, the city of Ludwigsstadt bought the chapel. In the following years, scientific architectural investigations and archaeological excavations were carried out - yet not all secrets of the special round building were solved. A fundamental renovation took place in 1993/94. Since 1995, the building belongs to the Hermann Söllner Foundation and is taken care of by the Geological-Homeland Studies Working Group.
Today, the former chapel houses an exhibition on the history of the building and the archaeological excavations in the basement. The original living room of Rosa Meinhardt (residence 1905-1958) is located on the first floor. A side room commemorates her poet friend from Lauenstein, Isidor Wilhelm, and his son, the artist Prof. Hermann Wilhelm, with a small exhibition.
Visit & Opening
The Marienkapelle is only open on selected dates. Information about viewing opportunities can be obtained at the German Slate Museum in Ludwigsstadt.
