The Most Famous Landmark in Herrenberg
The Foundation Church was built in two major phases of construction (1276-1293 and 1471-1493) and when completed it was the first late Gothic hall church in Wuerttemberg. The two Gothic towers were demolished in 1749 and replaced by the Baroque onion tower. Considerable renovation work had to be done between 1971 and 1982 in order to save the church. The hill on which the church stands is unstable and is slowly sliding towards the old town (at a rate of 1 mm per year). The stability of the hill itself could not be changed by renovation work but the church itself was stabilised and is now safe for some time. During the renovation, the 19th century galleries in the interior were removed and the church was to a large extent restored to its late Gothic hall church state.
Important works of art in the church include the baptismal font of 1492, the stone pulpit carved by Master Hanselmann in 1504 and the choir stalls from 1517 by Heinrich Schickhardt, grandfather of the architect Heinrich Schickhardt. The high altar executed in 1519 and painted by Jerg Rathhgeb is now in the state gallery in Stuttgart. The oldest rose window in Swabia is also in this church. The church belfry houses a bell museum.
Stone pulpit
with patroness St. Mary and the Doctors of the Church, by Master Hanselmann, 1503/1504
Choir stalls
by Heinrich Schickhardt, 1517
Rosette
in the tower gallery.
Newly glazed in 1982 by Annedore Kunz-Saile. The subject is the heavenly city of Jerusalem (Apocalypse 21).
The Church Interior
Was renovated at the beginning of the 1980s.
Bell Museum
Herrenberg Foundation Church has always attracted a large number of visitors. It is considered to be one of the earliest Gothic hall churches and among other works it contains choir stalls from the year 1517. The richness of their figural ornamentation places them among the first rank late Gothic sculpture. The church interior and its paintings and images are an invitation to pause and to reflect.
Now a new attraction has been added. Visitors to the belfry can see and hear bells from 8 centuries in their traditional function. The very name of each bell tells us something of the function which in some cases they fulfill to this day. Charts provide information about the function, tone and origin of each bell. 25 bells are rung at various times and for various occasions. Five bells strike the hours.
Recently the staff of the church stonemasons' lodge opened the high half-timbered hall to form a gallery, providing fine views of the surroundings. Originally there were two belfries in the two former Gothic twin towers. In 1794, the original towers were half demolished and this wide and high space which now houses and provides good views of 30 bells was created under the new Baroque onion dome. The sound of the bells is mixed in the resonant space of the belfry and shutters ensure that only part of the sound is audible outside.
A Priceless Legacy: the Old Foundation Church Bells
The five valuable bells of the original Herrenberg chimes are located in the centre. Next to the "Poor Sinners" bell stands the Renaissance bell-cage of the great Gulden bell. The Gothic midday bell, the baptismal bell and the cross bell hang in a modern steel bell-cage.
Valuable Donations Complete the Chimes
Numerous additions have been made to the chimes over the years. In 1989, a number of bells that were no longer used came from Silesia and Pomerania. The great festival bell called the "Gloriosa" (3.6 t) comes from Switzerland. The note B is the basic tone of this bell. Recently 10 small cymbal bells have been hung in the gallery. They were made by various bell-founders from the whole German-speaking area.
Opening times
| Foundation | ChurchBell Museum | |
| April to October | Tue-Sat. 10.00 am - 05.00 pm *) | Wed 02:30 pm - 05:00 pm |
| So.11.00 am - 05.00 pm *) | Sat.02:30 pm - 06:30 pm | |
| Sun.11:30 am - 05:00 pm | ||
| November bis März | Tue-Sat 10.00 am - 04.00 pm *) | |
| Wed 02:30 am - 04:00 pm | ||
| Sat. 05:00 pm - 06:30 pm *) | ||
| Sun.11.00 am - 04.00 pm *) | Sun.02:30 pm - 04:00 pm |
Price per adult 2 �. For children/schoolchildren/students and group reductions 1 �. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Bookings for guided tours even outside the opening times can be made at the Culture Office: 07032/924 224
Bell concerts are held on every first Saturday of the month (except January) from 05.00 pm to 06.10 pm
*) It is not possible to visit the church and the bell museum during services. This also applies to weddings (Saturdays) and baptisms (on the 3rd Sunday of the month).