When does the tour take place?

On June 12, 2026, at 6:30 PM at the Ev. Christuskirche Gelsenkirchen.

Is the admission free?

Yes, this event is free of charge.

Where is the venue located?

At the Ev. Christuskirche, Trinenkamp 46, 45889 Gelsenkirchen.

What can be seen in the exhibition?

Miniature churches, drawings by Rolf Schäfer, and the highlight, a model of a hall church.

How long is the exhibition accessible?

After services and by arrangement.

What is the focus of the tour?

On Rolf Schäfer's working techniques, materials, tools, and the Romanesque and Gothic architectural features of his models.

Miniature Churches, Medieval Forms, and Quiet Spaces in Gelsenkirchen

Name: Memorable Architecture - Romanesque and Gothic in Miniature
Start: 2026-06-12T20:30:00+02:00
End: 2026-06-12T20:30:00+02:00
Location: Ev. Christuskirche

Romanesque and Gothic in Miniature: A Surprising Art Experience at the Ev. Christuskirche

Rolf Schäfer will open a special view of medieval architecture at the Ev. Christuskirche on June 12, 2026. His miniature churches combine handcrafted precision with architectural imagination, bringing Romanesque and Gothic together in an unusually poetic interpretation of the works.

Miniature Churches as an Aesthetic Experience

In a scale of 1:600, small architectural worlds are created from packaging cardboard, foil, and toothpicks, whose effect goes far beyond the material. Painted stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings supported by columns, and the conscious arrangement of forms create a quiet, focused exhibition atmosphere where craftsmanship, perception, and cultural history meet.

Learning to Read Architecture

The tour provides insights into Rolf Schäfer's working technique, his preferred tools, and the approach to constructing the models. Particularly fascinating is the art-historical dialogue between Romanesque and Gothic features: round arches, three-dimensional structuring, vertical tension, and the symbolic character of space in medieval churches are illustrated here in a vivid and accessible manner.

Making the Hidden Visible

A special allure lies in the view through the open floors of the models. Mirrors are used to reveal interiors that would otherwise remain hidden. Thus, the observation itself becomes part of the artwork: visitors experience how space, light, and material condense in miniature and how architecture becomes readable as cultural memory.

Drawings, Models, and the Highlight of the Hall Church

Alongside the miniature buildings, drawings featuring real churches are displayed to complement the artist's documentary perspective. The model of a hall church represents the highlight of the presentation, illustrating how precisely Schäfer translates historical forms into an independent visual world.

Conclusion

This free tour invites a rare combination of art education, architectural history, and sensory observation of works. Those who are passionate about church architecture, miniature art, and cultural education will experience an inspiring event at the Ev. Christuskirche that sharpens the perception of form, space, and craftsmanship.