List of Brick Gothic buildings

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brick Gothic is a style of Gothic architecture widespread in the Northern Germany and the Baltic region. Its distinction from the preceding Brick Romanesque and succeeding Brick Renaissance is not always sharp. Often, Romanesque buildings were altered or added to in the Gothic style, others were begun while the Romanesque style prevailed, but completed in a Gothic fashion due to the slow building process. Such buildings can be classed equally with both styles.

The distribution of Brick Gothic is largely identical with the sphere of influence of the Hanseatic League, with a preponderance in the younger cities east of the Elbe. Besides urban representative buildings, cathedrals and churches, monasteries of the Mendicant Orders and other communities, especially the Cistercians and the Premonstratensians, played an important role. Between Prussia and Estonia, the Teutonic Knights erected brick Ordensburgen.

This list does not aim to be complete. It does not attempt to list all of the thousands of Brick Gothic buildings that exist or once existed. Instead, it aims to list significant structures, buildings that are considered especially important for stylistic, functional, or other reasons. The main criterion is a building's being listed in art historical survey works on Brick Gothic[1] and/or that its outstanding role has been referred to in individual scientific publications.

The dates given here refer to the present extant Gothic structures. Predecessors or post-Gothic alterations are not normally mentioned, but can be assessed by following up the literature. The most influential structures are indicated by bold print. Romanesque and Renaissance structures are not listed. Similarly, Gothic Brick structures from outside the Baltic or North German regions, eg. the Danubian ones, are omitted, as art historical terminology does not normally treat them as Brick Gothic. Neogothic edifices are also not listed.

Contents

[edit] Belarus

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Kreva Castle Early 14th century Partially built of fieldstones
Lida Castle 14th century Stone with brick superstructure
Kamianiec Tower 1271-1289 Border stronghold, one of the earliest brick constructions in the region
Mir Mir Castle Late 15th to early 16th UNESCO World Heritage Site. Major Renaissance alterations

[edit] Denmark

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Aarhus Cathedral End of 14th century to 1500
Church of Our Lady Mid-13th century to 1500
Haderslev Church of St. Mary Mid-14th century to 1440
Odense Saint Canute's Cathedral
Ribe Cathedral Built in 12th and 13th century of tufa, sandstone and granite (Romanesque), later additions of brick
Roskilde Cathedral 12th to 13th century UNESCO World Heritage Site. Essentially Romanesque but incoporating Gothic features. Among earliest large-scale brick edifices in northern Europe.

[edit] Estonia

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Tartu Cathedral 15th century Destroyed in Northern Seven Years' War, east part of ruin now houses Tartu University Museum. Towers were originally 66 m high (now 22 m).
St. John Early 14th century Numerous terracotta sculptures covering both the interior and the exterior.

[edit] Finland

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Hämeenlinna Häme Castle 14th and 15th century, on earlier fieldstone foundations Brick castle
Turku Cathedral


[edit] Germany

[edit] Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Altentreptow Petrikirche (St. Peter) Mid-13th to 1st half 14th century Hall church
City gates: Brandenburg Gate, Demmin Gate Circa 1450
Anklam Marienkirche (St. Mary) 2nd half 13th to late 14th century Hall church; planned with two towers, not completed, thus asymmetric
Steintor (stone gate) 13th/14th century
Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas) 14th century Heavily damaged 1945, ruin restored, reconstruction planned
Bad Doberan Doberan Minster Begun 1291, consecrated 1368 Former Cistercian monastic church; basilica
Bergen auf Rügen St. Marienkirche (St Mary) Partially completed 1293, renovated 1380 and after 1445 Former monastic church of Cistercian nuns; basilica
Bützow Stiftskirche (abbey church) Mid-13th to 2nd half 14th century Hall church
Friedland Marienkirche (St. Mary) 1330 to early 15th century Hall church
Greifswald Cathedral St. Nicholas Mid 14th to 1st quarter 15th century Basilica
St.-Marien-Kirche (St. Mary) 1275–1340 Hall church
St.-Jacobi-Kirche (St. James) First mentioned 1280, renovation circa 1400 Early Gothic hall church
House Markt 11 Probably after 1400 One of the most richly decorated Bürgerhäuser in North Germany
near Greifswald Eldena Abbey Begun 1225, provisionally completed 1265, added to until 1350 Former Cistercian monsatery; now ruin; favourite motif of Caspar David Friedrich
Güstrow Cathedral St. Marien, St. Johannes Evangelist und St. Cecilia (St Mary, John the Evangelist and Cecilia) Early 13th to late 15th century Hall church
Marienkirche (St. Mary) Gothic brick basilica
Malchin St. Maria und St. Johannes (St. Mary and John) From 1397 Basilica
Neubrandenburg Marienkirche (St. Mary) 2nd half 13th century
St. Johannes (St. John) 1st half 14th century Hall church, former Franciscan monastery
Town fortifications, e.g. Stargard Gate, Treptow Gate, New Gate After 1300 until early 15th century
Rostock Marienkirche (St. Mary) Two building phases, after 1290 and after 1398 Basilica; main church of Rostock
Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas) Present form after 1400
Petrikirche (St. Peter) Between 2nd quarter 14th and early 15th century
City Hall Core around 1230, Gothic facade after 1300 Since 1729 mostly obscured by Baroque structure
Kloster zum Heiligen Kreuz (Monastery of the Holy Cross) 1st half 14th century Former Cistercian nunnery
Jakobikirche (St. James) Damaged in World War II, demolished 1960
House Kröpeliner Straße Late 15th century Former parsonage (now library)
Kerkhoff House 3rd quarter 15th century Bürgerhaus (now registry office)
City gates (incl. Steintor, Kröpelin Gate) 13th to 16th century
Schwerin Cathedral Circa 1280 to ca. 1420 Basilica
Stralsund Historic Centre UNESCO World Heritage Site
Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas) About 1270 to early 15th century Main church of Stralsund
City Hall Several stages in 13th and 14th centuries Most important profane urban building in Stralsund
Marienkirche (St. Mary) 1382/84 to late 15th century Second largest brick church in Hanseatic region, basilica
Jakobikirche (St. James) Present structure started after 1300, altered after 1400 Basilica
Johanniskloster (Abbey of St. John) Early 14th century Former Franciscan monastery; hall church
Wulflam House (Wulflamhaus)
Katharinenkloster (Abbey of St. Catherine) 2nd half 13th century Former Dominican monastery
Wismar Historic Centre UNESCO World Heritage Site
Georgenkirche (St. George) Oldest part about 1300, completed in 15th century One of the most important and most monumental structures in Baltic region
Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas) Present structure started after 1380, completed 2nd half 15th century Basilica
Marienkirche (St. Mary) Begun after 1339, completed in 15th century After World War II damage dynamited in 1960, only tower survives. Was reputed to be one of the most beautiful churches in north Germany
Alter Schwede Circa 1380 Private House (now restaurant)
Archidiakonat (Archdeacons's House) Mid 15th century Private house
Wassertor (Water Gate) 3rd quarter 15th century
Wolgast Petrikirche (St. Peter) 1280-1350 Basilica

[edit] Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Cismar Cismar Abbey 13th century Former Benedictine monastery
Eutin St.-Michaelis-Kirche (St. Michael) 1st third 13th century, altered in 14th and 15th centuries
Flensburg Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas) Two phases, between 1390 and 1480
Hamburg St. Petri (St. Peter)
St. Katharinen (St. Catherine)
St. Jakobi (St. James)
Lübeck Historic Centre UNESCO World Heritage Site
Marienkirche (St. Mary) From 1251, completed late 14th century Basilica; most influential Brick Gothic building
City Hall Main building 1340–50, so-called Langes Haus 1298–1308, Kriegsstubenbau 1442–44 One of the most important profane buildings in Brick Gothic
Cathedral Foundation laid in 1173 by Henry the Lion, consecrated 1247, Gothic alterations from 1266 until 15th century
Holstentor 1466–78, major additions later
Burgtor
Petrikirche (St. Peter) Several phases, late 13th to 15th century
Jakobikirche (St. James) After 1276 to 1334
Aegidienkirche (St. Aegidius) 1st half 14th century
Katharinenkirche (St. Catherine) 1300–1330 Former Franciscan monastic church
Heiligen-Geist-Hospital (Hospital of the Holy Spirit) Circa 1276 bis 1286
Burgkloster After 1276 to 1401 Former Dominican monastery, modern additions
St.-Annen-Kloster Lübeck (Monastery of St. Anne) Former Augustinian nunnery, damaged by fire in 1843
Kanzleigebäude (Chancellery) Built 1484, enlarged 1588 and 1614
Meldorf Sankt-Johannis-Kirche (St. John) 1230–1300
Schleswig St.-Petri (Cathedral) (St. Peter) 1275–1320

[edit] Brandenburg, Berlin and Saxony-Anhalt

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Bad Wilsnack Wunderblutkirche St. Nikolai (Church of the Holy Blood) Main pilgrimage in North Germany
Berlin St. Marienkirche (St. Mary)
Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas)
Graues Kloster (Grey Abbey) End of 13th century Former Franciscan abbey; ruined since World War II
Brandenburg St.-Katharinenkirche (St. Catherine) Two phases after 1401
Cathedral St. Peter and Paul Main period of construction 1165–1240 First brick church in Margraviate of Brandenburg
Former Marienkirche (St. Mary) Built circa 1220, demolished 1722 Formerly important pilgrimage church
Chorin Chorin Abbey Former Cistercian monastery
Doberlug-Kirchhain Dobrilugk Abbey Former Cistercian monastery
Frankfurt (Oder) Marienkirche (St. Mary) 1253–1367, choir completed 1367, additions in 15th century
Frankfurt (Oder) Town hall Begun 1253, altered in 14th century
Havelberg Cathedral St. Marien (St. Mary)
Jüterbog Town hall
Mönchenkloster (monastery)
Jüterbog-Zinna Zinna Abbey Mainly from 1220 Former Cistercian monastery
Lehnin Lehnin Abbey From end of 12th century, consecrated 1262 or 1270
Prenzlau Marienkirche (St. Mary)
Stendal Marienkirche (St. Mary)
Cathedral St. Nikolaus (St. Nicholas) 1423 to mid-15th century
Town hall Gothic part early 15th century
Fortifications (Tangermünde GateTor, Uenglingen Gate)
Tangermünde Town hall Circa 1430
Stephanskirche (St. Stephen) 14th century
Fortifications 14th to 15th century

[edit] Lower Saxony and Bremen

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Bardowick Cazhedral St. Peter and Paul 1389-1485
Braunschweig Liberei (library) 1413–1422 Oldest surviving library building north of the Alps
Bremen Cathedral 13th century
St. Martini (St. Martin) Late Gothic
City hall 1405–1410; 1608–1612 altered in style of Weser Renaissance
Ebstorf Ebstorf Abbey 14th century Premonstratensian, later Benedictine monastery
Fürstenau Börstel Abbey Mid-13th century onwards Former Cistercian nunnery
Hanover Marktkirche (market church) 14th century
Hude Hude Abbey 13th century Now ruin
Leer (East Frisia) Harderwykenburg Circa 1450 Fortified house, whitewashed
Lüneburg St. Johannis (St. John) 1300–1370
Town hall 1st half to end 13th century
Michaeliskirche Circaum 1375
Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas) 1407–1440
Marienhafe Marienkirche (St. Mary) 13th century Formerly triple-naved church with 80-m tower doubling as landmark for shipping, in 1829 tower reduced and part of church demolished for financial reasons
Verden Cathedral 1290–1323 and 1473–1490 Romanesque predecessor from 12th century
Wienhausen Wienhausen Abbey 13th and 14th century Cistercian nunnery

[edit] Latvia

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Riga Historic Centre UNESCO World Heritage Site
Cathedral 13th century
St. Peter 13th to 15th century
St. Jacob Cathedral, Riga (St. James) 13th century
St. John 15th century formerly Dominican
House of the Blackheads late 14th century with 19th century additions Destroyed in WW II and rebuilt in 1995
Turaida Castle 14th century

[edit] Lithuania

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Vilnius St. Anne's 1495-1500 Highly exceptional use of Late Gothic flamboyant style
St. Francis 15th century and later repairs
St. Nicholas Late 14th century The oldest surviving church building in Lithuania
Gediminas Tower and Upper Castle Early 15th century, many later alterations Built by Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas
Kaunas Cathedral Construction from 1408 onwards Basilica, the largest Gothic church in Lithuania
St. Gertrude 15th century?
Church of The Accession of The Holy Virgin Circa 1400 Former Franciscan, unique Latin cross layout
House of Perkūnas Late 15th century The most archaic residential Gothic building in Lithuania
Medininkai Castle 13th century The only surviving enclosure type castle and the largest in Lithuania
Trakai Island Castle 14th - early 15th century Built by Grand Dukes of Lithuania Kęstutis and Vytautas. The only island castle in Eastern Europe.
Peninsula Castle Late 14th century and later repairs Built by Grand Duke of Lithuania Kęstutis
Zapyškis Former parish church 1578 The only surviving rural Gothic church in Lithuania

[edit] Netherlands

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Delft Oude Kerk (Old Church) Founded in 1246 75 m brick tower, now leaning ca.2 m from the vertical

[edit] Poland

In Poland, Brick Gothic is now also known as Polish Gothic. Centres of "Polish Gothic" are at Kraków (Krakau), and former Prussian cities Gdańsk (Danzig), Toruń (Thorn) and Wrocław (Breslau, Silesia).

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Braniewo (Braunsberg, Prussia) St. Catherine Badly damaged in World War II, rebuilt afterwards
Chełmno (Kulm, Prussia) St. Mary 1290–1333
St. Peter and Paul Built in 13th century, altered in 14th Former Dominican church
Teutonic Knights fortifications 14th-15th century
Chojna (Königsberg/Neumark, Brandenburg) Town hall 15th century
St. Mary Mainly 1389–1459
Dobre Miasto (Guttstatt, Prussia) Collegial Church
Elbląg (Elbing, Prussia) St. Nicholas 13th century, in 15th century converted from basilica to hall church burnt out 1945
Frombork (Frauenburg, Prussia) Cathedral 1343-1383
Gdánsk (Danzig, Pomerellia, Prussia) St. Mary's Church 1343–1502 Largest Brick Gothic edifice in the world
St. Catherine's probably 14th and 15th century
Wielki Młyn/Große Mühle (Great Mill) 14th century
Brama Żuraw/Krantor (Crane Gate) 1442–1444
Gniew (Mewe, Prussia) Teutonic Knights Ordensburg Late 13th to 14th century, Romanesque and Gothic elements
Gniezno (Gnesen) Cathedral 1342-1415, north tower completed 1512 baroquified in 17th century
Kamień Pomorski (Cammin, Pomerania) Cathedral St. John Circa 1175, altered in 15th century Basilica
Kołobrzeg (Kolberg, Pomerania) Cathedral St. Mary 1288–1397
Kraków (Krakau, Poland) St. Mary's Basilica 1321–1331, 14th-15th century Hall church
Church of the Trinity 14th and 15th century, rebuilt after 1850 fire Former Dominican church
St. Florian's Gate Early 14th century Upper parts in brick, rest fieldstone
Kwidzyn (Marienwerder, Prussia) Castle and Cathedral complex 14th and 15th century
Lidzbark Warmiński (Heilsberg, Prussia) Episcopal Castle/Ordensburg One of the earliest brick buildings in the area, Romanesque and Gothic elements
Malbork (Marienburg, Prussia) Malbork Castle (Ordensburg) 1276 to late 14th century UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Marienburg Ordensburg is the largest non-religious Brick Gothic structure. Teutonic Knights headquartzer since 1309. 1380s enlargements by Nikolaus von Fellenstein (see Neman, Russia).
Nidzica (Neidenburg, Prussia) Ordensburg 14th and 15th century
Olsztyn (Allenstein, Prussia) Castle of the Cathedral Chapter 2nd half 14th century Ordensburg; converted to castle in 15th and 16th centuries
St. James Cathedral Before 1445 Late Gothic Hall church
Orneta (Wormditt, Prussia) Cathedral of St. John
Pelplin, Pomerellia Cathedral 13th to 14th century, later alterations former Cistercian monastery
Radzyń Chełmiński (Rehden) Ordensburg 13th and 14th century Ruin
Stargard Szczeciński (Stargard, Prussia) St. Mary's 13th century origins, 1388-1500 additions
Brama Młyńska (Mill Gate) 15th century One of only two survuving examples of such gates (see Waterpoort at Tweek)
Szczecin (Stettin, Pomerania) Cathedral of St. James Several phases between 1375 and 1504
St. John 13th to 15th century, 19th century renovations
City hall 15th century
Sztum (Stuhm, Prussia) Ordensburg and town Early 14th century One of strongest Teutonic Knights castle in the area. Much damage by fires in 1683 and 1945.
Toruń (Thorn, Prussia) Historic Centre UNESCO World Heritage Site
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist 14th and 15th century
St. Mary's Church 1350-1370 Former Franziscan hall church
Town hall 14th century
Teutonic Knights Ordensburg 13th to early 15th century
Wrocław (Breslau, Silesia) Cathedral of St. John 1234-1341, later repairs 98 m high towers
Church of St. Mary Magdalen 1355–1360
City hall 13th century, 15th century alterations, 19th century additions Dominated by Neogothic design

[edit] Russia

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Kaliningrad (Königsberg), Königsberg,Prussia Cathedral 14th century
Neman (Ragnit), Prussia Ordensburg 1397-1409 One of the strongest Ordensburgen. Now ruined. Built by Nikolaus von Fellenstein (see Malbork)
Vesyoloye, Balga, Prussia Ordensburg Balga Circa 1239 Ruin

[edit] Sweden

Town/city Building Main period of construction Special features Image
Malmö St. Peter
Helsingborg St. Mary
Stockholm Storkyrkan (St. Nicholas) Outside altered into baroque stucco structure in 1740, Brick Gothic interior preserved - contains Late Gothic monumental sculpture of St. George and the dragon by Bernt Notke
Strängnäs Strängnäs Cathedral 1296 onwards
Uppsala Cathedral 1287-1435, major 18th and 19th century alterations External appearance mainly 19th century
Ystad St. Mary 13th to 15th century
Franciscan Monastery Late 13th to 15th century

[edit] External links

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[edit] Bibliography

  • Hans Josef Böker: Die mittelalterliche Backsteinarchitektur Norddeutschlands. Darmstadt 1988. ISBN 3-534-02510-5
  • Angela Pfotenhauer, Florian Monheim, Carola Nathan: Backsteingotik. Monumente-Edition. Monumente-Publikation der Deutschen Stiftung Denkmalschutz, Bonn 2000, ISBN 3-935208-00-6
  • Ernst Badstübner (Bearb.): Handbuch der Kunstdenkmäler in Polen. Bearbeitet von Slawomir Brzezicki. München 2005. ISBN 3-422-03109-X
  • Hans-Christian Feldmann (ed.): Handbuch der deutschen Kunstdenkmäler. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. München 2000. ISBN 3-422-03081-6
  • Gerhard Vinken (ed.): Handbuch der deutschen Kunstdenkmäler. Brandenburg. München 2000. ISBN 3-422-03054-9
  • Johannes Habich (ed.): Handbuch der deutschen Kunstdenkmäler. Hamburg und Schleswig-Holstein. München 1994. ISBN 3-422-03033-6
  • Michael Antoni (ed.): Handbuch der deutschen Kunstdenkmäler. West- und Ostpreußen. München 1993. ISBN 3-422-03025-5
  • Gerd Weiß (ed.): Handbuch der deutschen Kunstdenkmäler. Bremen und Niedersachsen. München 1992. ISBN 3-422-03025-5
  • Marianne Mehling (ed.): Knaurs Kulturführer in Farbe Polen. München 1995. ISBN 3-426-26492-7
  • Marianne Mehling (ed.): Knaurs Kulturführer in Farbe Estland, Lettland, Litauen. München 1993. ISBN 3-426-26608-3
  • Marianne Mehling (ed.): Knaurs Kulturführer in Farbe: Finnland. München 1988. ISBN 3-426-26248-7
  • This article was initially translated from the Wikipedia article Hauptwerke der Backsteingotik, specifically from this version.

[edit] References

  1. ^ e.g. Angela Pfotenhauer, Florian Monheim, Carola Nathan: Backsteingotik. Monumente-Edition. Monumente-Publikation der Deutschen Stiftung Denkmalschutz, Bonn 2000, ISBN 3-935208-00-6; Hans Josef Böker: Die mittelalterliche Backsteinarchitektur Norddeutschlands. Darmstadt 1988. ISBN 3-534-02510-5
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