Tombstone of Hermann von Plotho, Genthin-Altenplathow

Redekin village church was built in about 1200. It is one of the most important replacement buildings in the vicinity of Jericho monastery church. The handsome Romanesque brick building has survived largely intact.

In 1992, the former sacristy of the neo-Gothic church was converted into the ‘Plotho’ room. The most important artefact in the church is on display here: the effigy tomb slab of a Herr von Plotho. It was discovered when the old village church was demolished in 1905, and is one of the oldest surviving works of its kind in Saxony-Anhalt. With its block-like figure in high relief, the fixed gaze of the subject and the sparing use of detail on the hems and folds of the robes, it represents the high Romanesque version of a type of tomb slab which had developed during the Ottonian period. It probably belonged to Hermann von Plotho, who died in 1170/71. Unfortunately the inscription on the flat surround, much of which has been lost, can no longer be deciphered. Reconstructions from the period of the demolition, and thus from before the tomb slab was exposed to the elements, lead one to suppose that it was dedicated to Hermann Plote.

Guided tours: Pastor (Mrs.) Schattanik, Altenplathower Str. 74, D-39307 Genthin, Tel.: 03933-805584