Posted on 07/10/2021 1:38:45 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The foundations of a 1,000-year-old church built by German Emperor Otto I (also known as Otto the Great) were rediscovered by archaeologists under a cornfield in Helfta, Germany, in late June, according to the State Office for Monument Preservation and Archeology in the country’s Saxony-Anhalt region.
Based on the foundations, the church was 66 feet wide, and it existed alongside a massive cemetery containing at least 70 graves. Numerous artifacts, including coins, utensils, jewelry, and other accessories, were also found last month.
The church was built in the 10th century and was continuously occupied for 500 years, perhaps even once serving as a monastery. There is evidence that Otto the Great stayed there twice, highlighting the importance of the location and building. The archaeologists knew to look for the church because a historian from that period, Thietmar von Merseburg, wrote about its existence.
Neanderthal Carving Discovered in Germany's Unicorn Cave Historians have considered Otto the Great the first Holy Roman Emperor. Following his defeat of pagan Hungarian invaders in 955 C.E., he came to be known as a protector of Christendom. He used his self-proclaimed divine right as a ruler and his dealings with bishops to tighten his control over his kingdom and to begin his aggressive expansion into Italy. His son Otto II would succeed him after his death in 973 C.E.
Because Otto the Great was associated with what is now known as Catholicism, the church was torn down during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Though other Christian structures from the period survived, it’s possible that the church was dealt with more severely, since Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, was born in nearby town of Eisleben.
The Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt Reiner Haseloff said in a statement, “I am especially happy about the sensational excavation results in Helfta, because this is one of my favorite places in Saxony-Anhalt. With the identification of the location of the church an important regional historical gap is closed.”
Excavations will continue until September 2021.
I see where Canada is getting their ideas on cultural destruction of historical churches.
Make Otto Great Again
“Because Otto the Great was associated with what is now known as Catholicism, the church was torn down during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Though other Christian structures from the period survived, it’s possible that the church was dealt with more severely, since Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, was born in nearby town of Eisleben.”
Not to in any way excuse Lutheran iconoclasm, but this story doesn’t make a huge amount of sense. Protestant areas of Germany are filled with ancient Catholic churches that were simply transformed into Lutheran churches. I’ve been in scores of them. I suspect this particular church was demolished for some reason other than a tenuous connection to Otto the Great.
That was my thought, too. Why would they destroy a perfectly good church? Just convert it to Lutheran. It doesn’t make much sense.
And the article speculates that perhaps this particular church fared worse because Luther grew up in a nearby town. I’m not really buying it. If there had been some demolition program based on Catholic structures’ personal connection to Luther, why is the Catholic cathedral in Erfurt where Luther was ordained to the priesthood still standing? And not only standing but also still functioning as the town’s Catholic cathedral?
“...a massive cemetery containing at least 70 graves.”
I don’t think someone understands the definition of “massive”.
That’s in East Germany.
It was pretty old already, 350-450 yrs, so maybe it was gutted by fire and afterward dismantled for its materials.
Is Sarge’s dog Otto named for Otto the Great?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.