St. Viti Church, Zeven

image author: city-map Rotenburg

At the neighbouring village of Heeslingen there has been a women's monastery since 971. In 1141 this monastery was to be relocated 'to a secluded place with the name Zeven, which is more suitable to keep up discipline' by a decree by the Hamburg archbishop.
The Zeven church was built from this relocated monastery from 1141 onwards. In 1150 followed the inauguration.
The church was built from bricks in pure Romanesque style. (Only the vault was constructed from Rhenish tufa). It has one nave, cruciform and a crossed vault. The arches on the sides of the church's nave with the above situated side galleries 'imitate' the aisles. Directly adjacent to the church is the monastery, which is used as a museum today.

The St.Viti-community has at present ca. 7.500 members in Zeven and surrounding villages.

More information: St. Viti church community