Galleries are stone or wooden structures constructed in churches which may be compared with the upper or dress circles in a theatre. The organ and choir galleries provided a special raised area for the church music. In evangelical churches galleries were built 
to provide what was known as ‘comfortable’ seating for everyone attending the service. You were supposed to be able to have good eye contact with the preacher, no matter where you sat.
(Bild: In der Hofer Hospitalkirche sind nicht nur die Brüstungen mit biblischen Bildern bemalt, sondern auch die Unterseiten der Emporen.)