Pauluskirche, Worms

The Dominikanerkloster St Paul (also called the Pauluskirche) in Worms is a Romanesque church of rough sandstone that looks like a miniature of Worms Cathedral.

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History of Pauluskirche

St. Paul's Chapter Church was built by Bishop Burchard (who also built the first Worms Cathedral) in 1002. It was originally a three-naved buttress basilica.

A Dominican monastery was added in 1226. Also in the 13th century, the stone dome-shaped tower roofs were added in the Byzantine style of Jerusalem's churches. These make the church a visible monument to the Crusades.

The Pauluskirche was desconsecrated and the monastery destroyed in 1797 in the interests of secularization. In the decades that followed, the church was used as a warehouse, a barn and finally as a municipal museum (1880).

In 1929, Dominican religious life began again here and is still an active community. The resident monks conduct services, prayers and confession, and some also work as hospital or prison chaplains. Since 1993, it has also been training novices who will go on to become Dominican monks.

The Pauluskirche was badly damaged by bombing on February 21, 1945, but through the support of local citizens it was rebuilt and back in service in 1947.

What to See at Pauluskirche

The present nave of the Pauluskirche was rebuilt in the Baroque era, but the remainder of the building is 11th-century Romanesque.

Quick Facts on Pauluskirche

Site Information
Names:Pauluskirche · St. Paul's Church
Country:Germany
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:49.630707° N, 8.366057° E
Address:Worms, Germany
Lodging:View hotels near Pauluskirche
Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

  1. Dominican Monastery of St. Paul - Worms.de
  2. The Rough Guide to Germany 6 (April 2004).

More Information

© Robert Scarth

Map of Pauluskirche, Worms

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