Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Trinity Church)

Historic Building in Alsfeld

Alsfeld, Dreifaltigkeitskirche — CC BY-SA 4.0 / Tilman2007

Built in the second half of the 14th century, the Dreifaltigkeitskirche, or Trinity Church, originally served as a monastery church for the Augustine hermits. The church features a long choir for the clergy and, around 1435, an asymmetrical hall was added with naves and side aisles. Since the monks belonged to a begging order, there is no church tower.

Upon closer inspection, visitors can admire a well-preserved cross-ribbed dome, a stunning stone chancel with a pulpit ceiling from around 1660, and late Gothic frescoes from the early 15th century. Although the church underwent restoration between 1960 and 1962, its historical charm remains intact.

The Augustine monastery, which was likely established in the late 13th century, was once home to Eremite Hermit Monks. Notably, Tilemann Schnabel, a friend of Martin Luther and a reformer of Alsfeld, lived and worked here. However, following the Reformation in 1527, the monastery and church were closed down. The buildings were subsequently repurposed as a hospital and eventually fell into disrepair.

Today, one of the remaining monastery walls serves as a reminder of where the monks’ cells were located. The monastery was situated along the city wall, which was largely demolished in the 19th century. Visitors can still see a short section of the city wall on the south side.

The Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Trinity Church) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Alsfeld!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!