Things to do in Germany, Germany: The Best Churches & Cathedrals

October 31, 2021 Natalie Tallman

Coordinates: 51°N 9°E / 51°N 9°E / 51; 9
Restaurants in Germany

1. Dorfkirche Burg

Kirchweg 22, 03096 Burg (Spreewald), Brandenburg Germany +49 35603 455 [email protected] http://www.kircheburg.de
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Dorfkirche Burg

2. St. Maria de Victoria Kirche

Neubaustrasse 11/2, 85049 Ingolstadt, Bavaria Germany +49 841 17518 http://www.ingolstadt.de/stadtmuseum/scheuerer/ing
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
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1%
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5.0 based on 170 reviews

St. Maria de Victoria Kirche

Reviewed By Asta365 - Kent, United States

The church of Maria de Victoria, also known as the Asam Kirche, is a stunning baroque church. Expecting a church more like the Asam Kirche in Munich which focuses more on these artisans' Baroque plasterwork, I was surprised to find a study in perspective in this medium size church. Confronted with a set of design challenges in what is basically a rectangular church, the brothers worked out a set of multiple perspective points that makes a celestial vision absolutely pop out at the viewer. This is coupled with clever plasterwork along the edges of the ceiling which integrate it with the walls to smoothly transition their work into the plain walls. The altar is a nice baroque composition, but the "professors" seating along the walls of this Jesuit church are extremely well crafted. In the the small treasury in the back of the church there is a magnificent monstrance made in Augsburg that commemorates the Battle of Leponto. While such a warlike scene that is somewhat jarring when seen on such a religious article, I guess it's understandable after such a significant turning point in the then-ongoing war against Islamic expansion. In a somewhat similar vein, the warrior-leader Tilly's crucifix in silver and ivory is also kept in the treasury. Admission is €3. I was allowed to use the English language guidebook to guide my visit. There really is no parking close to the church, but it is a short walk from the large public parking lots. The docents at the church were friendly.

3. Frauenkirche Dresden

Georg-Treu-Platz 3 Eingang G der Frauenkirche, 01067 Dresden, Saxony Germany +49 351 65606100 [email protected] http://www.frauenkirche-dresden.de/
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
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4.5 based on 6,555 reviews

Frauenkirche Dresden

Once one of Dresden's most famous cathedrals, this structure is currently undergoing a massive reconstruction project to repair the damage done by Allied bombings.

Reviewed By HCovik - Atlanta, United States

It's hard to believe that this beautiful baroque church was completely demolished as a result of allied bombing in February 1945. A piece of the original dome still stands on the square in the same spot as were it landed in 1945. All through the DDR years the church remained a ruin and only after the German reunification effort was made to rebuild it. Restoration started in 1994 and was finished in 2005. What we are looking at is the result. It's absolutely beautiful. It's Baroque at its pinnacle. It actually looks more like an opulent opera building than a church. Its hard to imagine that what we are looking at is less than 25 years old. Frescos on the ceiling look centuries old. Here's were Bach played in 1736 and Wagner conducted. It's absolutely a must see part of Dresden. Being here will give you some sense as to what else was destroyed during the bombings of 1945. The once royal city of the kings of Saxony must have been awesome. The church is open for prayer services, concerts and lectures and the dome can be ascended (between heaven and earth) and offers a stunning view of the city. The first 24 meters (75 ft) are by lift and the the remaining 43 meters (130 ft) take you via narrow stairs, a spiraling ramp and a steep ladder stairway to the viewing platform. Admission fee is 8 Euros for an adult and is definitely worth it.

4. Cologne Cathedral

Domkloster 4, 50667 Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia Germany +49 221 17940200 [email protected] http://www.koelner-dom.de/home/
Excellent
74%
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22%
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4%
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4.5 based on 21,825 reviews

Cologne Cathedral

This giant Gothic cathedral, which until its completion in 1880 had been under construction for over 500 years, is perhaps Germany's most famous religious structure and includes two huge towers that serve as the defining symbol of Cologne's skyline.

Reviewed By _rayscom - Long Buckby, United Kingdom

Jaw dropping cathedral.Wonderful to walk around.You can have an unhurried stroll and wonder at the skills involved in the conduction of this wonderful building.Not for the faint hearted is a trip up to the bell tower.Breathtaking in every sense of the word. Very busy in summer

5. Cathedral of St Peter's

Domplatz 5, 93047, Regensburg, Bavaria Germany +49 941 5971662 http://www.bistum-regensburg.de/bistum/dom-st-peter/
Excellent
59%
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4.5 based on 1,388 reviews

Cathedral of St Peter's

Regensburg's skyline is dominated by the two towers of this 13th-century cathedral.

Reviewed By VW49 - Ashburn, United States

The tall Gothic, Catholic Cathedral of St Peter dominates the Regensburg skyline. The interior has soaring columns to support the high ceilings accompanied by beautiful stained glass windows, statutes and artworks. There is restoration work on-going so exterior scaffolding and construction barriers were in place during my visit. On an overcast day the light inside is rather low for photography but still there is so much to see in this active cathedral.

6. St. Thomas Church

Thomaskirchhof 18, 04109, Leipzig, Saxony Germany +49 341 222240 [email protected] http://www.thomaskirche.org
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
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4.5 based on 1,456 reviews

St. Thomas Church

Bach served as the choirmaster at this church, to which his grave was moved in 1949, for the last 27 years of his life.

Reviewed By Fletch1946 - Fair Haven, United States

Thomaskirche is a beautiful church in downtown Leipzig. It is very close to the train station. Aside from being of historical interest, it as a pace where Johann Sebastian Bach led the famed Boys Choir for thirty years, where he wrote about one cantata week for those thirty years and is now (they think) buried.you can lear about that mystery when you visit. Worth your time.

7. Aachen Cathedral

Klosterplatz 2, 52062 Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia Germany +49 241 47709142 [email protected] http://www.aachenerdom.de
Excellent
74%
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4.5 based on 3,659 reviews

Aachen Cathedral

Reviewed By karan06011955 - Bengaluru, India

Any structure that speaks about historical facts and figures are always interesting. Aachen Cathedral is no exception. The Gothic architecture is too evident in the structure. Tall minarets, high domes with stained glass paintings and large doors welcoming you... with quiet interiors. The Dom Cathedral of Aachen was built by the great Emperor Charliemagne and his body is buried here.. There are many more religious leaders and Kings are also buried here. In that sense this is almost like a holy place with so many historically famous and those who have been associated with Infant Jesus, - the infant jesus cloth was sbelieved to have been brought by Emperor Charlie... Its said that the Loin cloth of Jesus was also brought by him It is an important pilgrimage stop. Its indeed an architectural marvel embedded with historical facts that makes it extremely interested.

8. Ulmer Muenster

Muensterplatz 21, 89073 Ulm, Baden-Wurttemberg Germany +49 731 3799450 [email protected] http://www.ulmer-muenster.de/
Excellent
73%
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25%
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4.5 based on 1,880 reviews

Ulmer Muenster

Reviewed By Honighase - San Damiano d'Asti, Italy

The interior of the minster was much more impressive than I had expected. The modern stained glass windows are unique. And of course going up the highest steeple in the world is an extraordinary experience.

9. St. Lorenz Church

Lorenzer Platz 1, 90402 Nuremberg, Bavaria Germany +49 911 2142500 [email protected] http://www.lorenzkirche.de
Excellent
56%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
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4.5 based on 1,688 reviews

St. Lorenz Church

During services and special events St. Lorenz church is closed for sightseeing

Reviewed By 604karenm - Louisiana, United States

Beautiful architecture! Don't miss the sacrament house sculpted by Adam Kraft. The incredible art survived the Reformation because families had donated these priceless items to preserve the memory of their loved ones.

10. Speyer Cathedral

Domplatz 1a Domplatz, 67346 Speyer, Rhineland-Palatinate Germany +49 6232 102118 [email protected] http://www.dom-zu-speyer.de
Excellent
58%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
8%
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4.5 based on 1,148 reviews

Speyer Cathedral

The cathedral St. Mary and St. Stephen in Speyer is church that is unique in its spiritual, architectural, and historical dimensions. Day for day this house of God, founded in the 11th century, casts its spell on people, serves as a site of contemplation and prayer, and testifies to the legacy of romanesque architecture. Furthermore, the cathedral of Speyer is the gravesite of Salian, Staufer, and Habsburg rulers, thus functioning as a symbol of the medieval emperorship. In 1981, the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. As an episcopal church, the cathedral of Speyer is the spiritual centre of the diocese Speyer. Built in the Middle Ages as a house (Latin: domus) of God, to this very day its entire architecture serves to lead mankind to the Lord: the floor plan, the decoration, and all measurements serve this purpose. As an episcopal cathedral church, as the cathedral's parish church, as a place of pilgrimage: mass is celebrated here every day of the week.

Reviewed By 476jael - Long Island, United States

Since the era of Holy Roman Empire, Speyer Cathedral (Dom zu Unserer lieben Frau in Speyer) has been a most important Romanesque cathedral with proud history. Many German emperors and kings along with their spouses had been buried in the cathedral. In Spyer, where this cathedral played dominant religious role, the controversial Edicts of Worms and Spyer were protested by six princes and representatives of 14 Imperial Free Cities, aiding expanson of Protestantism. This cathedral is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During our Viking River Cruise’ “Rhine Getaway” journey, we visited this cathedral which was within a walking distance from the ship’s pier. On the side of the cathedral, we saw the Mount of Olives sculpture and the cathedral’s gift shop building. From outside, the cathedral with red sandstorm walls, copper topped nave, domes and towers looked more like a solid fortress than a basilica. Upon entering the heavy metal center door, we faced awe inspiring nave with double-bay vault system. The nave with solid stone columns did not have ornate decors seen in basilicas in Italy. There were no stained glass windows either. Altar area and pipe organs were also rather simple and stoic. And yet, the cathedral was awe inspiring especially when we thought about its status during pre-Reformation era. Upon exiting the cathedral through the center door, we faced a huge plaza with Speyer City Hall and the main road leading to the ciy center with other churches and shops. The visit was memorable.

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