Below the large Blankenburg Castle lies the church of St. Bartholomew, which combines Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles.
Built in the 11th century as a small parish church, it was converted into a monastery church in 1252, initially for a double monastery of canons and nuns who lived according to the Cistercian rule. The choir was extended in the east in the Gothic style, two side chapels were built in line with the side aisles and the nuns' gallery was built above the southern chapel. Four members of the Blankenburg dynasty of counts were impressively depicted as donor figures. In the Renaissance period, it was given a high pulpit depicting the virtues of faith, love and justice, and in the Baroque period the large altar wall. With its rare richness of sound, the 1932 organ is considered one of the most important in the region.
As part of the "Churches in the Harz Mountains - open to the public" initiative, St. Bartholomew's Church is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 (in winter from 10:00 to 16:00).
As part of the "Churches in the Harz Mountains - open to the public" initiative, St. Bartholomew's Church is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 (in winter from 10:00 to 16:00).