The German Church

The German Church, also known as Sankta Gertruds kyrka, is a must-see in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm. Established by German merchants in the 14th century, it evolved into a church in the 1580s, with key architects such as Wilhelm Boy, Hubert de Besche, and Hans Jacob Kristler contributing to the building's design. The church's shared history with the Finnish parish ended in 1607, and the structure was enlarged by Hans Jakob Kristler in 1638-1642.

The German Church is renowned for its importance in church music in Sweden during the 17th century. Today, the church utilizes a crypt located beneath it, a testament to its rich history. The building's Baroque interior features many angel heads on the white vaults, large windows that fill the space with light, and stunning murals. The steeple and spire, both designed by Julius Carl Raschdorff, stand 96 m tall and are adorned with gargoyles, while the carillon rings four times daily.

Two tables displaying gilded inscriptions flank the eastern gate, and the southern sandstone portal is flanked by statues of Jesus and Moses, both carved in the 1640s. A gilded image of the saint and the exhortation 'Fürchtet Gott! Ehret den König! reside over the northern gate. The so-called 'king's gallery,' featuring a ceiling painting by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl, is also a notable feature inside the church. The ten-meter-tall altar, created by Markus Hebel, and the murals in the atrium are other highlights of the German Church.

Completed in 1642, the German Church is dedicated to Saint Gertrude (626-659), the abbess of the Benedictine monastery of Nivelles (in present-day Belgium) and patron saint of travelers.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons