Schwartz Church
சுவார்ட்ஸ் தேவாலயம்
A church built in 1779 by the Maratha king in memory of the Danish missionary Schwartz, containing a marble relief by the British sculptor Flaxman.
The Schwartz Church stands beside Sivaganga Park. It was built in 1779 by the Maratha king Tulaja II in honour of the German missionary Schwartz, who had once served as the tutor of Prince Serfoji II. The exterior of the church is simple, but at the western end of the interior is a marble relief by the English neoclassical sculptor John Flaxman. It depicts the dying Schwartz blessing Serfoji, and it is a rare masterpiece of European sculpture in South India. Entry is free, services are held on Sundays, and it is about a 10-minute walk from the Big Temple.
Opening hours
Open daytime; please keep quiet during prayer times
Nearby sights
- Brihadisvara Temple
- Thanjavur Maratha Palace
- Saraswathi Mahal Library
- Punnainallur Mariamman Temple
- Aiyarappar Temple, Thiruvaiyaru
- Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai
- Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram
- Adi Kumbeswarar Temple