Laurentiusfest Sandau (Elbe)

A Church with a Special History

The church of St. Laurentius and St. Nikolaus in Sandau (Elbe) is one of the most impressive Brick Gothic buildings in northern Saxony-Anhalt. In April 1945, the church was largely destroyed by an explosion, and painstakingly rebuilt stone by stone over the following decades — today it is the landmark of the small Elbe town and a symbol of civic engagement in the Stendal district. The association Kirchturm Sandau (Sandau Church Tower) is dedicated to the preservation of the striking tower.

Saint Lawrence

The patron saint of the church is Saint Lawrence of Rome, a 3rd-century Roman deacon who, according to Christian tradition, suffered martyrdom on a glowing grill on August 10, 258. His name day is celebrated in many churches in Central Germany — in Sandau with a Festival Service in the church named after him, traditionally on a Sunday around August 10th. Afterwards, the congregation and the association invite you for coffee and cake, and a small musical program concludes the afternoon.

Sandau in the Stendal District

Sandau is located on the eastern bank of the Elbe River, in the Stendal district in the north of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The town today has only a few hundred inhabitants, but it is one of the oldest settlements in the region — first mentioned in a document in 981. Four kilometers away is Havelberg with its famous Horse Market, another highlight of the Altmark festival culture. The Laurentiusfest is small, intimate, and one of the most beautiful occasions to get to know Sandau and its church.

An Approachable Festival

Unlike large city festivals, the Laurentiusfest is a typical rural church festival: no stages, no sponsors, no hustle and bustle. Instead, a liturgically designed service, fellowship over coffee and homemade cake — and the experience of coming closer to the spirit of a saint who has accompanied the community for centuries in a Brick Gothic church over 800 years old.