STUTTGART STIFTSKIRCHE (Collegiate Church)

In the 10th or 11th century a chapel was located where today’s church now stands. It was later reconstructed into a three-aisled late-Romanesque basilica. It was made a collegiate church in about 1320 and Count Eberhard established a cathedral chapter and extended the building with a large chancel. In the 15th century Count Ulrich V added a late-Gothic nave to the chancel, of which the northern wall and west tower still exist today. However, the building of the church ground to a halt, and only the characteristic flatter roof could be put on the west tower.

Duke Ulrich introduced the Reformation in 1534. From 1553 the Swabian Reformer Johannes Brenz was the first Protestant provost of the Stiftskirche. His grave is situated very close to the pulpit. Brenz is said to have exclaimed: “If ever a preacher distorts the Gospel, I shall raise my head out of the grave and cry: You lie!”)

Numerous renovations and improvements followed. Among others, the Zwiefalten organ was installed and the pulpit gilded. During the Second World War large parts of the church were destroyed. However, at the beginning of the war, most of the works of art had already been taken out of the church and stored in other churches and in the Stuttgart Wagenburg Tunnel. During the rebuilding of the church it was decided to use more modern architecture so that every member of the congregation would have a clear view of the pulpit and altar. At the same time, the redesign of the church should be a kind of memorial to the war.

From 1999 to 2003 the Stiftskirche was radically renovated. After the redesigning, the interior now looks larger, brighter and more inviting. During the renovations remains of the original chapel were found beneath the church floor. They can now be visited in the basement.