Divi Blasii

Divi Blasii is a Gothic church in the Thuringian town of Mühlhausen, central Germany. Besides St. Mary's, it is one of Mühlhausen's two principal churches.

For other churches dedicated to Blasius of Sebastea, see Saint Blaise (disambiguation).

Divi Blasii
St. Blaise's
Divi-Blasii-Kirche
Side view, facing southeast
Divi Blasii
Location in Germany
LocationMühlhausen, Thuringia
CountryGermany
DenominationLutheran
Previous denominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusChurch
FoundedMiddle Ages
Founder(s)Teutonic Knights
DedicationSt. Blaise
Associated peopleJohann Sebastian Bach
Architecture
Functional statusParish church
Architectural typeHall church
StyleGothic
Years built13th/14th century
Groundbreakingabout 1276
Specifications
Number of spires2
Bells3
Tenor bell weightabout 5.5 t

Teutonic Knights founded the church in the Middle Ages. It was named after Saint Blaise, and is also known as St Blasius or St. Blasius's. Since the Reformation it is mostly known as Divi Blasii (Latin for “of Blaise the Divine”) or Blasius Church.

It is a hall church with nave and side aisles of approximately equal height. The Gothic architecture of the church is said to have been an influence on the design of Brooklyn Bridge by John A. Roebling who grew up in Mühlhausen.

  • Side view, facing west
  • Interior view
  • Organ
  • The two spires, looking northeast
  • Southern spire
  • Detail of the southern spire socket
  • Rose window at the north transept
  • Rose window, looking south

Organ

Johann Sebastian Bach was organist of the church in 1707/08. Although he did not stay in the town for long, the authorities recognised his musical abilities, and made him the consultant for rebuilding the organ. This involved replacing an old two-manual instrument.

Bach's specifications for the new organ have survived: he required three manuals, pedals, and 37 stops.[1] The project was undertaken by the respected local organ builder Johann Friedrich Wender. Wender's previous work included a two-manual instrument at the New Church in Arnstadt (today known as the Bach Church, with which Bach was familiar as he was employed there before coming to Mühlhausen.[2] The Mühlhausen organ was completed in 1709, by which time Bach had been succeeded as organist by his cousin Johann Friedrich Bach,[1] but there is evidence that Bach returned to the town to inaugurate the instrument.

Wender's organ of 1709 has not survived. However, the present instrument was built according to Bach's specifications. Albert Schweitzer, a leading figure in the Organ reform movement, acted as consultant on the reconstruction, which took place in the 1950s.[3]

Tourist information

The church is currently closed during the winter months.

References
  1. "Muhlhausen". Bach Cantatas Website. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  2. "Johann Friedrich Wender (Organ Builder)". Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  3. Hill, John. "The Church of Blaise the Divine (Divi-Blasii-Kirche)". Archived from the original on 14 November 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
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