Kleinlangheim Church Castle

The fortified church of Kleinlangheim is a fortified church from the 12th century in the old village center of the municipality of Kleinlangheim in the Lower Franconian district of Kitzingen.

Predecessor Churches

Traces of the first churches in Kleinlangheim before the mid-7th century were found during an excavation in 1972-1973 for the installation of heating. In the nave of St. George and Mary, experts found Roman remains, an older stone base, and evidence of wooden predecessor buildings. Furthermore, parish records indicated the presence of a chapel in the tower. This was confirmed during excavation work under the floor by the discovery of an altar foundation in the middle of the rectangular apse under the tower. The vitrified sandstones and post holes told of a destructive fire that likely consumed the wooden predecessor church. Striking fragments also allowed for the reconstruction of a stepping stone made of yellowish boundary dolomite and parts of a sigma-shaped altar slab. From the discovered consecration cross, the original size of the table can be estimated at 0.78 meters in length and 0.40 meters in width. Next to the consecration cross, there was also a sealed cuboid depression. This could have contained relics. Consecrated remains from the fire-destroyed predecessor churches, built in half-timbered style, were left in the altar area of the subsequent building. Around the 10th century, the half-timbered structures of the first churches were replaced by a stone church and supplemented with a choir tower. This has been preserved to this day.

Fortification

Fortified churches have been found in Franconia since Carolingian times. They served as refuges for the protection of farmers. The rural population suffered particularly from the power struggles of the feudal lords. They were also threatened by wandering soldiers and riff-raff. The church was usually built of stone and covered with tiles. This offered protection from fire and was most suitable for defense. Furthermore, it was a sacred place that offered asylum. Even enemies respected the consecrated area of the church building and the churchyard.

The house of God was originally surrounded by the cemetery. In the 12th century, the church and cemetery were fortified with strong, high walls made of hard boundary dolomite from the surrounding area. The masonry was laid in herringbone or ear-of-corn bond ("opus spicatum").

Finally, the surrounding wall was expanded into a refuge. Battlements were built, and storage rooms (Gaden) were added inwards against the churchyard wall. These consisted of storage cellars and small houses. In them, village families could store important belongings and provisions for emergencies. Outwards, they consisted of a solid defensive wall without windows but with loopholes. The respective owners had to ensure their maintenance. Due to lack of space, the residents also built the ossuary.

As further security, palisades were erected before the excavation of the artificial moat. Its traces can be discovered in the vicinity of the town hall. The only access was protected by a drawbridge and a gatehouse. The latter was probably built in 1487 and used as the first town hall. Above the round arch is the aforementioned year. Even today, visitors can enter the churchyard through this access and appreciate the strength of the ring wall. The fortified church of Kleinlangheim was first mentioned in 1416 when it served as a base for the Burgrave of Nuremberg in the First Margrave War. Bishop Johann was able to plunder "much property, wine and grain that the farmers had fled into." Further destructions occurred in 1554 and during the Thirty Years' War. In 1648, sources describe the destructions as follows: "So the palisades in front of and around the churchyard were burned, the churchyard gates, church and church houses' doors, as well as the roofs smashed..."

Dismantling

After the Margrave Wars and the Thirty Years' War, the fortified churches lost their importance for defense in times of war. Much that was destroyed fell into disrepair. Only individual Gaden underwent numerous alterations and major demolitions for agricultural purposes by their owners. From 1700, the inhabitants of Kleinlangheim leveled the moat and created space for development or gardens.

Today, fortified churches, beyond their historical function of defensibility and protection, have symbolic character for individuals and the community. They represent a symbol for God. The gate is open towards the village as a sign that the church turns to the people. It invites to silence and strengthening or to events of the local community.

For more than 20 years, the municipality of Kleinlangheim and the Förderverein Kirchenburg Kleinlangheim e.V. have been striving to renovate and preserve the remains of the fortified church. Thus, they have a suitable setting for events.