Ulm, Germany: A Visit to the World’s Tallest Church in the World
You went to where? That’s the first reaction people ask when I told them that I went to Ulm, Germany. Ulm is a city located at Baden-Württemberg in the old Bavaria in southwest Germany. It may not be as famous as Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich or Hamburg but it is famous for having the world’s tallest church. At the height of 528 feet or 161 meter one’s neck is going to hurt looking up the church’s tower. Reaching the top of the church steeple you have to climb at least 768 steps, it’s a climbed but once you’re in the top, the view is breathtaking. Some people mistakenly called this Lutheran church as a cathedral. But this church is not a cathedral. But its Gothic ecclesiastical architecture design and its huge size one might thought that this is a cathedral. I was fortunate enough to visit this great city last year together with wife and my eldest sister Ate Cheryl and we had a great time with our tour guide- a local himself my sister’s boyfriend Gerd.
History
Ulm was the pit stop destination of the kings and afterwards it became the city of merchant and craftsmen. Building of the church first started in 1377. It took 600 years to complete the church. Lack of funds and the war was mainly the reason. The church was built by the people of Ulm. They never had any financial support from the church itself nor their leaders. Finally, on May 31, 1890 the construction of the church was completed.
Gothic Design
The Ulm Minster church is a great example of an early Gothic design. When you enter the church, you will be mesmerized by its huge size. And if you happen to go inside while they are playing the pipe organ you will be moved by its music, very peaceful and solemn. Some says that this organ is known to have played by Mozart himself. As you go further to the altar you will see the choir stalls. But these choir stall is not an ordinary choir stall, this is a 15th century choir stalls crafted by Jörg Syrlin the elder. While the pulpit, the high altar and the stained glass windows were crafted by Jörg Syrlin the younger. Another old treasure is located at the entrance of the church called “Man of Sorrows” by Hans Multscher. Truly, this church is a piece of history and national treasure of Germany.
Outside of the church there is an open market. They have different kinds of bread and cheese, flowers and other crafts that can only be seen in Ulm. Aside from the Ulm Minster there are also other attractions that the city of Ulm offers. There is the town hall or The Rathaus which was built in 1370, which features large and colorful murals since the mid-16th century. There is also an astronomical clock from 1520 which I believe still work until this day. There is a house called the sinking house which is near the river. Another site to see is the wall that was built in 1480 in the middle of raging water of the Danube. If you want to see old buildings ranging from the medieval era, you can go the Old quarter. Another attraction is a hotel that is called the crooked house or the sinking house. It is an old timber-frame house from the 16th century that has become crooked and slanted over the years. This is one of the most unique hotels in the whole world. The city of Ulm has many great museums to see. One or two day is not enough to visit them all.
Aside from being famous because of the wold’s tallest church. Ulm is also home of the famous people in the field of science. The most famous person that lived here is the great Physicist and genius Mr. Albert Einstein himself. He was born in Ulm in 1879. Also, the creator of Keppler’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd law, Johannes Keppler known scientist in the field of astronomy was also from this town.
Ulm, Germany is a great city to visit. Aside from being known as the city with the tallest church in the world, there is a lot to that. People are great. If you are lost just stop by and ask a local and they are very accommodating in helping you out. I would definitely go back to Ulm. This maybe a small city but where I’ve been to was not even half of the many things that Ulm has to offer.
