St. Theresa's Church, Aachen
The Theresienkirche is a Catholic church formerly affiliated to the Carmel of Saint Theresa of Avila. The church was built between 1739 and 1745 by Laurenz Mefferdatis; the Baroque architect Johann Joseph Couven designed the interior. As part of secularization, the building became municipal property in 1802.
In 1943 the Theresienkirche burned down. To avoid fire hazard in case of an attack during WWII, the altars, communion rails, pulpit and 18th-century wall paneling had been removed and dumped into a castle moat. In 1945 it was still possible to salvage them, but the weather elements had affected the wooden items so badly that they could only be used as a model for future reconstruction.
In the 1950s, the church was rebuilt to appear like it was back in the 18th century; the furnishings, however, were restored only in the 1970s.
The Neoclassical brick edifice has a three-axis structure divided by pilasters with an arched window and a segmented gable. The structure follows the course of the street that had already existed in the 18th century and was therefore not built in the typical east-west orientation.
By inserting a triangular staircase, Mefferdatis succeeded in realizing a rectangular interior floor plan. The single-nave hall is vaulted with three bays. The choir is located behind a high triumphal arch.
The columned main altar with gilded Corinthian capitals is made of oak. The Rococo carvings of two angels decorate the tabernacle. The entire interior decoration was donated by Johann von Wespien in 1754, whose sister was the reverend mother of the convent, Maria Anna van Wespien. Their coats of arms are seen above the paintings in the altar, between the two palm leaves, reminding of the donation made.
Presently, the church is used by the Romanian Orthodox congregation of the Holy Trinity.
In 1943 the Theresienkirche burned down. To avoid fire hazard in case of an attack during WWII, the altars, communion rails, pulpit and 18th-century wall paneling had been removed and dumped into a castle moat. In 1945 it was still possible to salvage them, but the weather elements had affected the wooden items so badly that they could only be used as a model for future reconstruction.
In the 1950s, the church was rebuilt to appear like it was back in the 18th century; the furnishings, however, were restored only in the 1970s.
The Neoclassical brick edifice has a three-axis structure divided by pilasters with an arched window and a segmented gable. The structure follows the course of the street that had already existed in the 18th century and was therefore not built in the typical east-west orientation.
By inserting a triangular staircase, Mefferdatis succeeded in realizing a rectangular interior floor plan. The single-nave hall is vaulted with three bays. The choir is located behind a high triumphal arch.
The columned main altar with gilded Corinthian capitals is made of oak. The Rococo carvings of two angels decorate the tabernacle. The entire interior decoration was donated by Johann von Wespien in 1754, whose sister was the reverend mother of the convent, Maria Anna van Wespien. Their coats of arms are seen above the paintings in the altar, between the two palm leaves, reminding of the donation made.
Presently, the church is used by the Romanian Orthodox congregation of the Holy Trinity.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Aachen. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
St. Theresa's Church on Map
Sight Name: St. Theresa's Church
Sight Location: Aachen, Germany (See walking tours in Aachen)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Aachen, Germany (See walking tours in Aachen)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Aachen, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Aachen
Creating your own self-guided walk in Aachen is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Aachen's Historical Buildings Tour
Evolved from an ancient Roman settlement, Aachen is one of the oldest and most historic cities in Germany. At one time it served as the capital of Holy Roman Empire. Today's Aachen is just a small city yet with a very rich history and stunning architecture. Despite being heavily damaged during World War II, some of its historical buildings have survived to our days courtesy of the strenuous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Aachen Introduction Walking Tour
The area that is now home to Aachen has been occupied since at least Neolithic times. The mineral springs have drawn people here for eons, and historians have found evidence of settlements from the Bronze and Iron Ages. In those days, the area was settled by the Celtic peoples. They probably came here to worship Grannus, god of light and healing.
The Romans built the town as a spa resort... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
The Romans built the town as a spa resort... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles