Bible Center Barth

The Barth Bible Center is located on the site of the medieval leprosy hospital St. Jürgen. After an eventful building and other history, the sanctuary of the former hospital church has been preserved as a chapel; on the foundation walls of the nave, on the other hand, a hostel for the poor and pilgrims was built, which today - lovingly restored - houses the Bible Center's exhibition. Its centerpiece is the "Barth Bible" from 1588, printed in the princely printing house of Duke Bogislaw XIII in 1588 as the first Bible for what was then Pomerania. Grouped around this centerpiece are a medieval scriptorium and a Gutenberg letterpress, which also invite visitors to conduct their own writing and printing experiments, unusual installations, information and games on topics of life and faith, precious books and exhibits on the history of scripture, the Bible and books, and a museum store. The beautifully landscaped area with Bible garden, Christian rose garden, pavilions and clay ovens invites to further exploratory walks.

The Barth Bible Center is open Tuesday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.) Numerous general education topics and projects are offered for school classes and other interested groups (www.bibelzentrum-barth.de). Timely registration is recommended to schedule group visits.

The Church

The small brick church of St. Jürgen was built in the 14th century - as a hospital church for lepers who were no longer tolerated in the city and found a place to stay here, in front of the eastern city gate of Barth. Later, while retaining the medieval choir room, the nave was expanded in half-timbered construction into a residential house with 18 chambers. Until 1990, this house provided accommodation for the sick, pilgrims and, above all, the poor in the historic church space. The small tower, which was a ridge turret on the east gable of the nave, has unfortunately not been preserved. However, the choir, closed on five sides and vaulted on the inside, has retained its original shape. During a comprehensive restoration at the end of the 20th century, pre-Reformation wall paintings depicting St. Christopher and St. Anthony were uncovered in the chapel.

Accessibility information

• Parking lot for people with disabilities is available
• Building is accessible without steps
• All rooms usable by guests are accessible without steps or by elevator
• 81 cm minimum width of all passages/doors (exception: in the Scriptorium exhibition room and in the Reformation exhibition room)
• WC for people with disabilities is available
• Assistance dogs are welcome
• Guided tours for people with disabilities are offered