Damshagen church

Thomaskirche Damshagen - Gothic architecture in the Klützer Winkel

The church in Damshagen, known as St. Thomas Church, is one of the oldest religious buildings in Klützer Winkel and is an important testimony to medieval building history in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The brick building was constructed at the beginning of the 14th century as part of the German mission and settlement of the region and was built in three sections. The outer walls of the nave were built using the so-called Wendish bond - a technique that is characteristic of many church buildings on the southern Baltic coast, such as in Wismar or Rostock.

Architecture and historical details of the brick church

The single-nave building has an externally buttressed chancel with a 5/8 end and has been remodeled several times over the centuries, both inside and out. Parts of the original zigzag frieze on the nave are still preserved and give an impression of the original Gothic design. The Gothic windows were modernized in later eras.

Chapels on the north side of the nave

Two chapels with different functions were added to the north side of the nave. One still serves as a burial chapel today, while the other - originally designed as a staircase to the patronal stalls - is now used as a mortuary. These structural additions reflect the eventful history of the parish and its usage requirements.