crypt - of the Ropert merchant family

crypt of the merchant family Johann Conrad Ropert

Ratzdorf, a small village at the confluence of the Oder and Neisse rivers, is known far beyond the country's borders and has much more to offer. The gauge house on the Oder river has become the town's landmark.

In recent years, the crypt has been extensively restored and archaeologically examined. The crypt served as the burial place of the rich and important merchant family Johann Conrad Ropert. As the owner of the royal salt factory, the merchant had considerable influence on the shipping village of Ratzdorf and the salt trade on the Oder. He built the crypt after the death of his son and wanted to create a memorial to his family. Seven members of his family and Pastor Öhme are buried there. The coffins and the existing furnishings - lion, relief and sculpture - were in a terrible state. The coffins were largely moldy, the sculpture was salty, the lion was dirty and the relief had been painted over. Old material from the coffins was saved and replaced with new material. The relief (7th century) shows a woodcut of a shipman with the typical symbolism of death. The original color was preserved. The lion (dated around 16 - 1680) is a sculptural masterpiece. After extensive cleaning, the original gold leaf was revealed. Johann Conrad Ropert himself was buried in 1740. The last burial in the crypt took place in 1850.

The Monk's Tour and the Oder-Neisse Cycle Route, which is one of the most beautiful long-distance cycle routes in Germany, run through Ratzdorf. It is worth taking a short break here. In the summer months, the small cyclist's church opens its doors. It has a very special history.  

Ratzdorf is located directly on the Oder-Neisse cycle path and the Mönchstour.