Neumünster Collegiate Church, Wurzburg

The Neumünster Collegiate Church holds a rich history dating back to the 11th century, and it stands as a testament to both religious significance and architectural beauty in Würzburg.

Believed to have originated during the tenure of Meningoz of Würzburg, the church was likely constructed to honor the Franconian Apostles—Kilian, Colman, and Totnan—who were martyred at the site. Burchard, Meningoz's predecessor, and Meningoz himself found their final resting places within the church. The monumental inscription on Meningoz's sarcophagus stands as the oldest post-Roman inscription in Franconia.

The church suffered substantial damage during the bombing of Würzburg in 1945, leading to the destruction of significant portions of its interior, including Tilman Riemenschneider's busts of the Franconian Apostles. Despite the devastation, the Neumünster became the seat of the Bishop of Würzburg from 1950 until the Cathedral's reopening in 1967.

Renovation efforts took place between 2009 and 2011, during which several baroque elements were restored, and modern artworks by Michael Triegel and Hann Trier were added. Although the church was not as severely damaged as the Cathedral, these renovations aimed to revitalize its historical and spiritual significance.

The Lusam Garden on the north end of the church occupies the former cemetery and cloister of the Neumünster College of Canons. The garden features a monument dedicated to the legendary minstrel singer Walther von der Vogelweide, believed to be buried there. Circular divots for birdfeed and water adorn the monument, creating a symbolic connection between the minstrel and nature. Within the Lusam Garden, sixteen arcades of the original cloister have endured since the late 12th century. Some of these arcades boast Romanesque carvings, including reliefs of Christ in Majesty and St. Kilian, representing some of the earliest examples of sculpture in Würzburg.