St. Martin's church (Landshut)
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St. Martin's Church along with Castle Trausnitz and the celebration of the Landshuter Hochzeit (wedding) are the most important landmarks and historical activity of Landshut, Germany. This gothic church is the highest church in Bavaria and the highest brick building in the world, with a height of 130.6 meters (approx 428 feet).
[edit] History
In the year 1204, the town of Landshut was founded by Duke Ludwig the Kelheimer. He established Castle Trausnitz and built a small church on the place where nowadays the St. Martin's Church now stands.
In the Year 1342, the town was partially destroyed by fire. After this fire, the people of Landshut filled there plots of land with 3 meters of soil to protect their houses against floods. The first church was now 3 meters deeper than the surrounding buildings. So, in 1380 Duke Friedrich and the people of Landshut decided to build a new church in the gothic style.
Building of the church began in 1389. It took about 120 years to finish the church. In this period of time there where 5 architects who managed the building site. It took 55 years just to build the tower. The church was dedicated in 1500.
[edit] The 20th Century
Renovation work started at the end of the 20th century. First, the outside facade of bricks were cleaned. Then the foundation was secured. In the year 2001, St. Martin's Church received the title of Basilica minor from the Pope in Rome.
All in all, five structural engineers worked on the church until its completion. Hans Krumenauer was the first one in 1389 and was followed by the famous Hans von Burghausen only a few years later. He had control over the building site until his death in 1432. After him, his nephew Hans Stethaimer, Stephan Burghauser and Stephan Westholzer looked after the construction until its completion. St. Martin's Church was built without any steel and cement.
The foundation originally consisted of about 5000 wooden pegs. The eleven stories above reach the gigantic height of 130.6 meters, and is completely made out of brick. The main nave itself is 30 meters high and 90 meters long.
The church is built in gothic style and is obvious when taking a look at the many windows and arches it is trimmed with.
The church also has some specialities inside. On the one side you can find a Madonna called "Garland of Roses Madonna". Hans Leinberger carved the Madonna in 1520.
On the other side you can see one of the largest crucifixes of the late gothic period. It was made by Michael Erhard and has been hanging in the church since 1495.
