Germany Guide
Northern Bavaria: Franconia
Lorenzkirche
Opening time: Mon– Sat 9am–5pm, Sun noon–4pm
Address: Königstrasse
The Catholic Lorenzkirche is the southern Altstadt's counterblast to the Sebalduskirche north of the river. In silhouette the two are startlingly similar, but the Lorenzkirche is the later of the two, consisting of a three-aisled basilica with a decorative west front and a late Gothic hall-choir which dates from 1439 to 1477. Like the Sebalduskirche, the Lorenzkirche lost its roof in World War II, but again restoration has been deft and its artworks are exceptional – in particular the beautiful Annunciation (1517–18) by Veit Stoss, suspended in midair like a burst of joy in elegantly carved wooden form. There's also an impressively tall, elegant Gothic tabernacle, with a wonderfully lifelike self-portrait by its creator, Adam Kraft, at its base.