Visit the Protestant church in Girkhausen, which has a special architectural and art-historical charm with its tower standing apart and the rarely seen ridge turret.

Surrounded by the typical black and white half-timbered houses, the church stands on a small hill at what was once the highest point of the village.

Already built in the first half of the 13th century, the church was an important place of pilgrimage after 1325. The Marienborn - a sacred spring located below the church on the little river Odeborn - and a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary were the reason why many people came to Girkhausen and brought modest prosperity to the small village.

After Count Henrich decided in 1533 that the people in his county had to belong to the Reformed faith, the village became increasingly impoverished and as a result the front nave collapsed. Since then, the tower, which is about 30 metres high, has stood alone. After extensive restoration work between 1822 and 1990, it was preserved and is now home to the 13th century large bell "Ave Maria", the memorial to the fallen of the two world wars and the "Open Devotional Room" in the basement vault.

Openings

The church is open during service hours. For worship outside these times, the prayer room in the basement vault of the church tower is available during the day.

Price info

Free entrance.

Directions & Parking facilities

Anreise
from Bad Berleburg B480 in the direction of Albrechtsplatz, turn off at Dödesberg onto L721 to the centre of the village
from Schmallenberg B236 on B480 direction Winterberg, Hoheleye - branch off direction Girkhausen, then L721
from Winterberg B480 to Hoheleye - branch off towards Girkhausen, then L721

Parken
free parking along the street

Öffentliche Verkehrsmittel
from Winterberg or Bad Berleburg by bus - R28 stop Jägerhof (village centre)

Author

Sylvia Müller

Organization

BLB-Tourismus GmbH

Website

License (master data)

Place of interest

Protestant Church Girkhausen