Unserer lieben Frauen Church

Construction of St. Mary's Church began in the Ottonian period, probably around the year 1000, although a tradition mentions the year 1003 and Emperor Henry II as the initiator. The first documented mention occurred in 1008, when the church came into the possession of the Prince-Bishopric of Würzburg. Initially, a towerless pre-Romanesque basilica was built. Bishop Bruno of Würzburg initiated extensions around 1034, which gave the nave a cruciform shape and were completed in 1045. After 1100, construction of the two western towers began. Lightning strikes in 1175 and 1296 repeatedly caused damage to the towers and roof. In the 15th century, between 1443 and 1455, the Gothic choir was erected, which was significantly larger than the Romanesque nave. The Reformation led to the church becoming Protestant in 1544. At the end of the 16th century, the church received Renaissance upper floors on its towers, with the north tower being designed taller. After the founding of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen in 1680, the church temporarily served as a court church. Between 1884 and 1889, an extensive renovation took place under Otto Hoppe and Carl Göbel, during which the old nave was demolished and replaced by a Neo-Gothic one. The towers were harmonized, and a Neo-Romanesque main portal was created. In the 20th century, the organ was used by Johannes Brahms and Max Reger. The church survived World War II with damage, particularly to its windows, roof, and organ.

The town church of Unserer lieben Frauen is located in Meiningen, in the district of Schmalkalden-Meiningen in Thuringia, Germany, at an elevation of approx. 295 m above sea level. It is situated in the center of the historic old town, south of the market square.

Visitors can tour the church today. It continues to serve as a parish church for the Protestant communities of the region.

• Meiningen Castle (Castle), approx. 0.4 km away
• Elisabethenburg Palace (Palace), approx. 0.4 km away
• Kleines Palais Meiningen (Residence), approx. 0.4 km away
• Großes Palais Meiningen (Residence), approx. 0.5 km away