Evangelical Market church Wiesbaden

About

Wiesbaden built its reputation on elegance. Aristocrats arrived for mineral springs, grand hotels and promenades where social life was almost a public performance. Which makes the Marktkirche Wiesbaden such an entertaining sight. In the middle of this polished spa town rises a dark red church of almost surprising confidence. Completed in 1862 by architect Carl Boos, the Neo Gothic building initially divided opinion. Many residents found it too heavy and too northern for Wiesbaden’s refined image. Today it has become one of the city’s defining landmarks. From Schlossplatz, five towers climb above the surrounding façades, the central spire reaching nearly 100 metres and still holding the title of Wiesbaden’s tallest structure. Many visitors assume they are looking at something medieval. In reality the church replaced an earlier building destroyed by fire and belongs entirely to the nineteenth century. It was built during a period when Europe had become fascinated with rediscovering Gothic architecture. Inside, the scale softens. Light falls through stained glass onto pale stone and red brick while outside the market square continues its own rhythm with cafés, market stalls and city life passing by.