The Heilig-Geist-Spital (Hospital of the Holy Spirit) in Nuremberg was originally built in the 14th century on the banks of the Pegnitz River as an institution to care for the sick and elderly. The Holy Spirit Church (Spitalkirche, part of its tower is visible in the upper left of the image) dates from the same period; it is best known for housing the Imperial Regalia (Reichskleinodien) from 1424 to 1796. Between 1511 and 1527, the complex was expanded to include the bridge building over the Pegnitz (Wasserbau) shown here. In 1938/1939, this wing was remodeled under the direction of architect Julius Lincke, who added a pointed bay tower to the previously flat choir niche for the first time.
During the major air raid in January 1945, the Heilig-Geist-Spital was severely hit by incendiary and explosive bombs. The bridge building burned down to its foundation walls. The impressive Renaissance gables, the roof structure with its dormers, and the historic interiors collapsed completely. Only the two stone river arches and remnants of the massive outer walls survived the destruction. The Holy Spirit Church was likewise completely destroyed.
The reconstruction of the bridge wing took place from 1951 to 1953 under Julius Lincke, who also reconstructed the pointed bay tower. In contrast to the bridge building, the Holy Spirit Church was only rebuilt between 1960 and 1963 in a greatly simplified form.
Today, the bridge building of the Heilig-Geist-Spital is used as a senior care home and a restaurant.
Courtesy of the "Deutsches Dokumentationszentrum für Kunstgeschichte - Bildarchiv Foto Marburg"
The Heilig-Geist-Spital (Hospital of the Holy Spirit) in Nuremberg was originally built in the 14th century on the banks of the Pegnitz River as an institution to care for the sick and elderly. The Holy Spirit Church (Spitalkirche, part of its tower is visible in the upper left of the image) dates from the same period; it is best known for housing the Imperial Regalia (Reichskleinodien) from 1424 to 1796. Between 1511 and 1527, the complex was expanded to include the bridge building over the Pegnitz (Wasserbau) shown here.
In 1938/1939, this wing was remodeled under the direction of architect Julius Lincke, who added a pointed bay tower to the previously flat choir niche for the first time.
During the major air raid in January 1945, the Heilig-Geist-Spital was severely hit by incendiary and explosive bombs. The bridge building burned down to its foundation walls. The impressive Renaissance gables, the roof structure with its dormers, and the historic interiors collapsed completely. Only the two stone river arches and remnants of the massive outer walls survived the destruction. The Holy Spirit Church was likewise completely destroyed.
The reconstruction of the bridge wing took place from 1951 to 1953 under Julius Lincke, who also reconstructed the pointed bay tower. In contrast to the bridge building, the Holy Spirit Church was only rebuilt between 1960 and 1963 in a greatly simplified form.
Today, the bridge building of the Heilig-Geist-Spital is used as a senior care home and a restaurant.
Courtesy of the "Deutsches Dokumentationszentrum für Kunstgeschichte - Bildarchiv Foto Marburg"