Verein zur Erhaltung der Frauenkirche e.V.
founded on October 27, 1976
This church is not only a work of art and a testament to the faith of our ancestors, but above all a place of prayer. It invites us to find peace and be open to God.
Akzente
Welcome
In 1945, during the final stages of World War II, the Frauenkirche was completely destroyed with the exception of the west facade and the surrounding walls of the nave. After reconstruction, the church was re-consecrated in 1953. However, a complete renovation was still necessary between 1983 and 1991.
Since its founding in 1976, the Association for the Preservation of the Nuremberg Frauenkirche has continuously supported the restoration of valuable works of art and renovation measures on the church building.
Every year, the Christ Child recites its prologue on the west gallery facing the main market square to mark the opening of the Nuremberg Christmas Market. This is another reason why Nuremberg’s Frauenkirche is famous throughout the world and attracts many tourists all year round.
History of the Frauenkirche in Nuremberg
The Nuremberg Frauenkirche, Catholic parish church of Our Lady, is one of Nuremberg’s most important churches and stands on the east side of the main market square. It was founded in 1355 by Emperor Charles IV and built as a hall church, probably by the Prague court architect Peter Parler. The Michaelschor inside serves as a royal box. The square nave was reserved for the people. This first Franconian hall of the late Gothic period is based on the spatial concept of Nuremberg Castle. The Frauenkirche was built on the foundations of a synagogue. A Star of David in the floor of the choir room commemorates this.
Between 1506 and 1508, the gable on St. Michael’s Choir was redesigned by stonemason Adam Kraft. At the same time, an artistic clock commemorating the enactment of the Golden Bull was installed. This “Männleinlaufen” (little man running) at noon still attracts many tourists today.
From the Reformation in 1524 onwards, the church served as a Protestant preaching church after the installation of galleries. With the annexation of Nuremberg to Bavaria, recatholization took place. In 1816, the church was handed over to the parish and new furnishings were procured from the holdings of the secularized monastery churches (Dominican and Augustinian churches).
The Association
Founded in 1976, the association’s mission is to promote the preservation and beautification of Nuremberg’s Frauenkirche both ideologically and financially and to assist the church foundation whenever the archdiocese and the public sector do not provide sufficient funds.
But what would this association be without you, without its friends, members and supporters? You keep the club alive – through your loyalty and support and have done so for so many years. A very heartfelt „retribution from God“.
With your donations, the association was able to (co-)finance a number of remarkable projects. Further restorations are also needed in the future. Due to the numerous visitors who bring in dust and moisture, the works of art must be cleaned again and again.
Please help to co-finance these necessary conservation measures with a donation or your membership in our association. So you can ensure that the beauty of this Gothic gem, our Nuremberg Frauenkirche, a home and a place of security in God for many people, continues to shine in the future.
Projects since 1976 / Timeline
A heartfelt thank you to our donors and members for enabling the association to co-finance the following projects:
(To navigate, use the left and right arrows or click/drag directly on the year)
Virtual tour
Legend: 1. Tucher Altar, 2. Madonna, 3. Angel of the Annunciation, 4. Edith Stein, 5. Klais Organ, 6. Epitaph of the Royal Chef, 7. The Vestibule, 8. Michael’s choir with gallery, 9. Pergenstorffer epitaph, 10. The Holy Family, 11. Rebeck epitaph, 12. Annunciation group, 13. Resurrection epitaph
Digital church guide of the Frauenkirche Nuremberg:: https://audioguide-frauenkirche-nuernberg.de/
Copyright Frauenkirche Nürnberg
Our audio library
Project: Tucher Altar
The Tucher Altarpiece—a highly significant work for Nuremberg panel painting before Dürer—was created around 1450 and served as the high altar of the Augustinian Church until 1487. Commissioned by the Tucher family, it was restored in 1615 for the Carthusian Church. Since 1816, this Gothic triptych has been located in the Frauenkirche, and since 1987 it has stood in the choir in festive splendor as a “holy icon.” Parts of its original predella are now in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg.
News - Donations
Dear members, friends, and supporters of the Frauenkirche,
Our Frauenkirche, the famous art-historical gem in the heart of Nuremberg, is visited every day by guests from all over the world. This monument of national importance has great historical and architectural value thanks to its outstanding artistic furnishings. Unfortunately, dust, dirt, and moisture have accumulated everywhere due to the large number of visitors.
After 40 years, a necessary and extensive interior renovation is once again due in 2023! Of the total cost of 3.2 million, the parish must raise 1.1 million itself!
[…] read more…
Figures, data, facts
Executive Board
Thomas Stör (Chairman)
Pia Lilienstein (Deputy Chairwoman)
Sylvia Gisbert (Treasurer)
Martina Edenharter (Secretary)
Members
Approximately 110 members
Total amount of projects financed to date
Approximately €514,000 (as of 2023)
Bank details
LIGA Bank eG
IBAN: DE96 7509 0300 0005 1386 20
BIC: GENODEF1M05
Membership fee
Minimum €20/year
