Ankien

Ankien is a fortified church location in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It is situated in the East Hunsrück circle near the municipality of Bickenbach. The church dates back to the 12th century, with construction beginning around 1160. Its Romanesque architecture features a distinctive north tower. The fortified wall of the church and its associated residential complex provide valuable historical evidence of the defensive measures employed by the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages. A notable feature of the church is its presence on the Imperial Cathedral Road. This marks the church as a significant cultural and architectural landmark in the region. Ankien is under the care of various church authorities, and its upkeep is largely funded through public and ecclesiastical grants. The church's site also contains graves from the 13th and 14th centuries. During archaeological excavations, numerous artifacts from these periods were unearthed and are now preserved at local museums. The area's well-preserved architecture makes Ankien a notable example of its time.