Church of the Holy Spirit

On.the.Road

Heidelberg's Heiliggeistkirche, located in the vibrant university town of Heidelberg, Germany, stands amidst the energetic cityscape filled with the lively spirit of students. Originally constructed as a Catholic church, it has transformed over time due to the Reformation into a Protestant church, a space that once served both faiths simultaneously. The interior is modest like many Protestant churches, with little decoration besides the central altar's stained glass. A particular piece of stained glass from 1977, depicting the date '1945. 8. 6.' - the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and Einstein’s famous equation, E=mc^2, draws specific attention, particularly from Japanese group tourists. This piece, intended to reflect on the relationship between the modern world, science, and faith, stands alone due to controversy over its progressive message. The church's reticence on socio-political involvement or perhaps Heidelberg's history as a potential bombing site in World War II hint at complex underpinnings to this tourist attraction. The stained glass dedicated to the victims of the Hiroshima bombing holds intense focus for Japanese visitors, who quickly leave once the explanation concludes, leaving a bitter aftertaste to the visit.