Frauenkirche

The Frauenkirche stands on the eastern side of Nuremberg’s Hauptmarkt, marking the square with brick Gothic architecture. Its English name means the Church of Our Lady. Charles IV commissioned the church, whose design includes a richly decorated west façade, a porch, balcony, and coats of arms. Peter Parler was probably the church’s architect. Inside, the hall church has two aisles, an imperial tribune, medieval artworks, the Tucher Altar, and monuments by Adam Kraft. The mechanical clock called Männleinlaufen marks the façade. Installed in the early sixteenth century, the clock commemorates the Golden Bull and remains one of Frauenkirche’s distinctive features. The church is listed as wheelchair accessible. Its history includes the destruction of Nuremberg’s synagogue during the Christian pogrom against Jewish residents, followed by construction of this church. Frauenkirche became a Catholic parish church in the nineteenth century and was restored after wartime destruction. The Frauenkirche also plays a role in Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt opening ceremony. Its organ incorporates elements from earlier instruments.