Burgwindheim in Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany — Central Europe
Kath. Pfarrkiche St. Jakobus
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Catholic Parish Church of St. Jakobus
| — | Kulturhistorischer Rundweg Burgwindheim | — |
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 2, 2025
1. Kath. Pfarrkiche St. Jakobus / Catholic Parish Church of St. Jakobus Marker
Kleinod des fränkischen Rokoko
Der Ebracher Abt Hieronymus II Held ließ die katholische Pfarrkirche St. Jakobus zwischen 1748 und 1751 erbauen. Der ungegliederte Saalbau mit fluchtendem, dreiseitig geschlossenem Chor und Walmdach gibt sich in sei- nem Äußeren für einen Spätbarockbau äußerst schlicht; hierzu im Kontrast steht die innere, spätbarock-überreiche Ausstattung.
Der dreiseitig geschlossene Saal mit Westempore schließt mit einer weiten Spiegeldecke. Die Muschelwerkstuckaturen der etwa 400 m² großen Stuck- decke entwarf Wolfgang van der Auwera. Die drei Deckengemälde mit Darstellung der Wallfahrtslegende wurden von Anton Clemens Lünenschloss gefertigt. Die Altäre wurden wahrscheinlich nach Entwürfen Balthasar Neumanns und von van der Auwera gebaut. Die plastischen Arbeiten stammen von Peter Wagner, die Altarblätter von Hofmaler Stögler. Die Stuckarbeiten der Em- porenuntersicht fertigte der Burgwindheimer Tünchermeister Johann Mayer an.
Der Platz um die Pfarrkirche wurde bis zu deren Bau als Friedhof genutzt und anschließend außerhalb neu angelegt. Das Kirchenumfeld mit Ummauerung und Laubbäumen wurde wohl ebenfalls im 18 Jahrhundert neu konzipiert.
• Die Pfarrkirche
this page online
• Vom baufälligen Vorläuferbau wurde nur der Kirchturm von 1615 integriert.
• Für die innere Ausstattung beauftragte Abt Hieronymus II Held namhafte Künstler.
• Kanzel und Orgelgehäuse sind mit dem Wappen des Abts versehen, die Beichtstühle zeigen flammendes Muschelwerk.
Catholic parish church of St Jakobus
A gem of the Franconian Rococo style
The Catholic parish church of St. James was built between 1748 and 1751 by Abbot Hieronymus II Held of Ebrach. The unarticulated hall church with its symmetrical, three-sided apse and hipped roof appears remarkably simple in its exterior for a late Baroque building; this contrasts sharply with the interior, which is lavishly decorated in the late Baroque style.
The three-sided, enclosed hall with a west gallery is topped by a wide mirrored ceiling. The shell-work stucco of the approximately 400 m² ceiling was designed by Wolfgang van der Auwera. The three ceiling paintings depicting the pilgrimage legend were created by Anton Clemens Lünenschloss. The altars were probably built according to designs by Balthasar Neumann and van der Auwera. The sculptures are by Peter Wagner, and the altarpieces by court painter Stögler. The stucco work on the
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 2, 2025
2. Kath. Pfarrkiche St. Jakobus / Catholic Parish Church of St. Jakobus and Marker
The marker is visible here just to the right of the steps.
The area around the parish church was used as a cemetery until its construction, after which a new cemetery was laid out outside the church grounds. The churchyard, with its surrounding wall and deciduous trees, was likely also redesigned in the 18th century.
• The parish church was built between 1748 and 1751.
• Only the church tower, dating from 1615, was incorporated from the dilapidated predecessor building.
• Abbot Hieronymus II Held commissioned renowned artists to create the interior furnishings.
• The pulpit and organ case bear the abbot's coat of arms, and the confessionals feature flaming shellwork.
Erected by Markt Burgwindheim. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1748.
Location. 49° 49.638′ N, 10° 35.743′ E. Marker is in Burgwindheim, Bayern (Bavaria), in Bamberg. It is at the intersection of Hauptstraße and Kirchplatz, on the right when traveling west on Hauptstraße. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Hauptstraße 17, Burgwindheim BY 96154, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally,
Photographed by Reinhold Möller (via Wikimedia Commons under CC 4.0 international), November 7, 2015
3. Interior of the Catholic parish church of St James (Jakobus) in Burgwindheim
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ehem. Gasthof Zum Hirschen / Former Inn “Zum Hirschen” (within shouting distance of this marker); Pfarrkirche St. Jakobus / St. James Parish Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Ensemble Hauptstraße / Main Street Ensemble (within shouting distance of this marker); Nonnenhof (within shouting distance of this marker); Posthalterei / Posting Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); Ebrachisches Richterhaus / Ebrach Magistrate’s House (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Ehem. Amtschloss des Klosters Ebrach / Former Official Castle of Ebrach Monastery (about 90 meters away); Obertorbrücke / Bridge “Obertorbrücke” (about 240 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burgwindheim.
Also see . . .
1. St. Jakobus (Burgwindheim) (Wikipedia, in German). (Submitted on December 9, 2025.)
2. Catholic parish church of St Jakobus (Markt Burgwindheim). The QR code on the marker leads to this page. Excerpt:
The parish church of St Jakobus is a real gem of Franconian Rococo. The Ebrach Cistercian abbot Hieronymus II Held had it built between 1748 and 1751. Due to the dilapidated condition of the building which preceded it, only the church tower from 1615 was integrated. The unstructured hall building with a choir closed on three sides and a hipped roof is extremely simple in its exterior for a late baroque building. However, this stands in contrast to the late baroque splendour of the interior. The abbot commissioned well-known artists to build and decorate the church.(Submitted on December 9, 2025.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 9, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
