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Church · Colônia, Renânia do Norte-Vestfália
Groß St. Martin
Romanesque church from the 12th century beside the Reno, with a large square tower that defines the Altstadt skyline. It is one of Colônia’s twelve major Romanesque churches.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Groß St. Martin
Groß St. Martin is one of the twelve large Romanesque churches of Cologne, which together with the cathedral form the city's best-known ensemble. It was built from around 1150 on the foundations of a Roman warehouse, and for centuries served as the church of a Benedictine abbey.
The square tower over the crossing, with four small turrets at the corners, is one of the landmarks of Cologne's view from the river. The clover-shaped choir, with three apses, is typical of the city's Romanesque style.
During World War II, bombing destroyed much of the nave and the vaults. Reconstruction took decades and was completed in 1985. Since 2009 the church has been cared for by the religious community Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem and has returned to being a monastery church, with sung prayers open to the public.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 minutes.
Best time
Outside prayer times, in the morning or in the afternoon. From the outside, the tower is clearly visible from the Deutz bank or from the Hohenzollernbrücke.
How to get there
It's in the old town, a 2-minute walk from Alter Markt and about 7 minutes from the cathedral, near the banks of the Reno.
Tip
It's an active church: speak quietly and avoid moving around during prayers. Combine the visit with Alter Markt and a walk along the riverbank, which is just behind it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Groß St. Martin
Is Groß St. Martin the same as the cathedral?
No. The cathedral is the Kölner Dom, Gothic. Groß St. Martin is an older Romanesque church, a few minutes' walk away, near the river.
Do you need to pay to enter?
Entry to the church is free. Check the opening hours, as visits are restricted during services.
What are the Romanesque churches of Cologne?
They are twelve large churches built between the 10th and 13th centuries, such as Groß St. Martin, St. Gereon and St. Maria im Kapitol. Almost all were rebuilt after World War II.