St. Jakob’s Church

Built between 1311 and 1485 St. Jakob’s church is the largest building in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Easily seen from many miles away with its twin spires, St. Jakob’s is named for (St. James) the patron saint of pilgrims and merchants, so it makes good sense that the massive church became a fairly renowned stop for anyone making the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where the saint is buried. The church was Catholic until the reformation in 1544 when it became Luthern.

With his floppy hat, his staff, and the scallop shell he carries, Jakob can be easily identified as one of the original twelve apostles of Jesus. Even inside the church on the high altar (1466), considered one of the finest in Europe, Jakob can be found quickly by these features. Also of note are four wooden angels: Faith, Prayer, Unbelief, and Doubt.

The church boasts many prominent possessions, but none more treasured than the Altar of the Holy Blood, a masterwork of the renowned German sculptor, Tilman Riemenschneider. Taking six years to complete and finally finished in 1505, the wooden altar depicts the last supper. Jesus can be seen giving the traitor, Judas a morsel of bread while John lays his head on Christ’s bosom. The work was commissioned as a worthy setting for the most singular possession of all: a drop of Christ’s blood, which is encases in a rock crystal capsule and set in a reliquary cross (dating from 1270).

Helig Blut (Christ's blood)

Painted on reverse of High Altar piece

The High Altar (St. Jakob in his red hat)