The castle chapel in Neuburg is the oldest known Protestant church in Germany. As part of the upcoming anniversary of the Reformation, the chapel was extensively examined, conserved and restored.
25.10.2024
Reformation anniversary kick-off – reopening of the Neuburg Castle Chapel
"the court chapel alhie ... to paint". Photo: Bavarian Palace Administration
On July 6, 1543, Hans Bocksberger the Elder from Salzburg was commissioned to "paint the court chapel here ... to paint". Photo: Bavarian Palace Administration
The chapel also served as a court church for Ottheinrich's successors, who developed the principality into a model Protestant state. Photo: Bavarian Palace Administration
The exhibition at Neuburg Castle on the Danube presents the Ottheinrich Bible next to the chapel. Photo: Bavarian Palace Administration
The Ottheinrich Bible was the first illustrated New Testament in the German language. The Count Palatine had it completed, which is why it was named after him. Here is the scene "Healing of the deaf-mute and the feeding of the four thousand". Ottheinrich Bible, St. Mark's painter, around 1430, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, inv. no. Cgm 8010/2, fol. 55v/56r, photo: Bayerische Staatsbibliothek
A detail from the choir book showing Count Palatine Ottheinrich celebrating mass. Ottheinrich Bible, Nikolaus Bertschi, 1538, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, inv. no. Mus.ms. C, fol.188v/189r, photo: Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich
Count Palatine Ottheinrich (1502-1559) had the chapel painted with a large cycle of paintings as early as 1543 following his conversion to Lutheranism. The wall and ceiling paintings by the Salzburg church painter Hans Bocksberger the Elder (1510-1561) show an impressive panorama of biblical history in over 40 scenes. It depicts scenes from the Old Testament that are closely related to the Reformation and is therefore considered a special feature in Germany.
The conservation measures included cleaning the ceiling fresco, the balustrade and the wall bowl. Restoration work was carried out on the altar, the vaulted surfaces, the stone furnishings and the stucco reliefs. During the extensive investigations, a former pulpit from the construction period was found, among other things.
All the results can now be viewed until August 7, 2016 as part of the exhibition “Art & Faith – Ottheinrich’s Magnificent Bible and the Neuburg Palace Chapel”. Thanks to the new lighting and numerous media installations, the chapel can be experienced as an important Renaissance building. From October 31, 2016, at the start of the anniversary year, the chapel will once again be used for religious purposes.