Moritzburg (Halle) - The Mary-Magdalene Chapel

The Mary-Magdalene Chapel

The Maria-Magdalenen-Kapelle (Mary-Magdalene Chapel) is the gem of the Moritzburg. In spite of its small footprint of only 14 by 23 m and a height of 15 m the chapel seems much more spacious on the inside.

The memorial plate of the consecration in 1514 is found on the northern wall and shows the coat of arms of Cardinal Albrecht V of Brandenburg along with Saint Maurice and Mary Magdalene.

A separate coat of arms was designed especially for the chapel and placed on the western wall above the gallery. It dates the year of completion as 1509, although the papal confirmation was only received years later.

The chapel lost its roof during the Thirty Years' War which would -aside from quick repairs- not be reconstructed before about 200 years later between 1894 and 1899. In 1817 though, the Crown Prince William was so impressed by the Moritzburg that he became an official supporter of a reconstruction. On October 23, 1822 the complex including the chapel was designated a monument by the Prussian building authorities.

The first plans for the reconstruction were made in 1888. Between 1898 and 1899 the chapel was modified to become the University's church on occasion of the University's 200th anniversary. The organ, which was also from the time of the reconstruction, was thoroughly cleaned and altered in its tone structure in 1963. In 1990, a completely new organ was installed in the historical, heritage-protected casing.

Today the chapel is a place of worship and home to two religious communities: The United and Uniting University Church Community and the Lutheran Saint Magdalene Community of Halle/Salle.