Kirchenburg Herrnsheim (Church Castle)

Generally, fortified churchyards date back to the threats of the Middle Ages. While cities and wealthier villages surrounded themselves with a ring wall, poorer communities merely fortified the churchyard, which also served as a cemetery in earlier times. In Markt Herrnsheim, the church probably originated in the 12th century and became a parish church in the 14th century. The fortification was probably already present before the parish church, because the choir had to be rounded at one point to fit into the gap. The current dimensions of the fortified churchyard probably date back to the 16th century, as the wooden lintel above one of the gaden doors is dated 1517. At the beginning of the 18th century, the community extended the nave of the church. The surrounding gaden remained untouched, so the church now stands oversized within the surrounding wall. This also created the typical narrow space in the middle of the fortress. The fortified churchyard in Markt Herrnsheim is classified as a historical monument.

The center of the fortified churchyard is the simultaneum church of St. Martin.