Ulm Munster, Germany (1377-1890)
Ulm Münster is a Lutheran church and the tallest church in the world with its steeple measuring 161.53 m (530 ft) high and containing 768 steps. Located in Ulm, Germany, it is an outstanding example of Gothic ecclesiastical architecture. After climbing the 768 steps to the top there is superb panoramic view of Ulm in Baden-Württemberg and Neu-Ulm in Bavaria and, in the right weather conditions, a vista of the Alps from Säntis to the Zugspitze. The final stairwell to the top (known as the 3rd Gallery) is a tall, spiraling staircase that has barely enough room for one person. This architectural masterpiece houses many famous artworks. The 15th century choir stalls by Jörg Syrlin the Elder enjoy world-wide acclaim, in particular the carved busts which have gone down as masterpieces in the history of art. Among the other works of distinction in the Münster are Hans Multscher's Man of Sorrows on the main portal and the pulpit canopy by Jörg Syrlin the Younger, as well as the altar and window in the chancel.
The church is not a cathedral in the proper sense as it has never been the seat of a bishop. The responsible bishop of the Evangelical Church in Germany resides in Stuttgart.
Work on the Ulm Citizen's Church began in 1377, financed by the city's inhabitants. There was then a very long period between 1547 and the 19th century with no further building activity, even when the church became protestant during the reformation. Construction was resumed in 1844 and finally completed in 1890 with the addition of the spire.
In 1877, the Jewish congregation of Ulm (synagogue) and the father of Albert Einstein gave money to make a famous statue of the hebrew prophet Jeremiah (near the large organ).
Ulm was destroyed in an area bombing raid by the British RAF on December 17, 1944.
Ulmer Münster was the world's tallest building from 1890 to 1901
