Friedenskirche

Friedenskirche rises on a small hill behind the Tiefburg, at the edge of Heidelberg’s old Handschuhsheim village centre. Its 61-metre tower marks the district skyline from the eastern corner of the building. Three distinct façades surround the free-standing church, while stair towers and turret-like additions create a castle-like silhouette. Late Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau elements meet beneath ribbed vaults and four galleries. The Greek-cross plan follows the Wiesbadener Programm, bringing pulpit, altar and organ into one central preaching space.

Hermann Behaghel designed the church, built between 1908 and 1910 as one of his most elaborate Heidelberg projects. Rudolf Yelin designed the original stained-glass windows, produced by the Heidelberg workshop Beiler. Renovations in 1959 to 1961 removed the starry sky and vine motifs, then the 2011 to 2012 redesign restored the axial arrangement with a black bronze altar. A stepped platform now links the congregation area with the organ gallery, despite controversy within the congregation. The instrument has 44 stops, mechanical key action and electric stop action, supporting worship, concerts and the church’s active choir.