Marktkirche Goslar St. Cosmas und Damian Guide

Marktkirche St. Cosmas und Damian stands as the towering backdrop to Goslar's central marketplace. Serving as the city's central Protestant-Lutheran parish and historic town council church, the building anchors the essential heritage route connecting the historic guild houses with the Imperial Palace.

Architectural Evolution and Asymmetrical Towers

First documented in 1151 as a market church, the structure likely replaced an 11th-century predecessor dedicated to St. Nicholas. It began as a Romanesque pillar basilica before expanding into a five-aisled Gothic hall during the 14th and 15th centuries. Following the city's adoption of the Reformation in the 1520s, it became an Evangelical-Lutheran church.

The church has survived several devastating fires. In 1589, the North tower was destroyed and subsequently rebuilt in 1593 with a Renaissance open lantern and a watchman's room. This addition served as Goslar’s active city fire-observation post until 1904. A later fire in July 1844 consumed the roof, towers, and bells, leading to a full restoration and rededication in 1849. Today, the twin towers stand at nearly equal heights—the North tower at 66 meters and the South tower at 65.4 meters—though their intentionally mismatched silhouettes reflect this history of civic vigilance.

Historic Bells and the North Tower

The Marktkirche features an active central belfry housing one of the largest historic church bells in Lower Saxony. Cast in 1848 following the massive 19th-century fire, the 6.8-ton bell named Johanna resonates over the city.

The North tower is accessible to those willing to climb its over 200 wooden steps to reach an open-air viewing platform. Ascending near the open lantern exposes climbers to the loud, echoing chime of the quarter-hour and hour bronze bells striking within the surrounding wooden framework.

Interior Treasures and the Historic Library

The church interior, open daily to visitors, holds significant medieval art and literature. It contains some of the oldest stained glass in Northern Germany, dating to around 1250, which depicts the healing and martyrdom of Saints Cosmas and Damian.

Additionally, a historic library on the premises preserves over 4,000 volumes from before 1530. This collection includes 115 incunabula and Reformation-era manuscripts gifted by the cleric Andreas Gronewalt around 1535. Beyond its historical artifacts, the Marktkirche remains an active parish, hosting regular 10:00 AM Sunday services alongside concerts and art exhibitions.