Worms Cathedral

Worms Cathedral (St. Peter’s Cathedral) is a large Romanesque cathedral in the city of Worms on the Rhine, noted for its multiple towers and massive stone construction. It is one of the principal medieval churches in the Rhineland.

The cathedral presents a monumental west façade with towers and Romanesque sculptural work, a long nave leading to the choir, and rich ecclesiastical stonework inside. Visitors can view the crypt and portions of the medieval fabric revealed through restorations.

Construction phases span the high medieval period with the church taking much of its present Romanesque form in the 11th to 12th centuries; later centuries brought repairs and restorations, including significant 19th-century restoration work. The cathedral has served as a bishop’s church and a central civic landmark for Worms for many centuries.

The cathedral stands in the historic centre of Worms near the banks of the Rhine River, within walking distance of other medieval city monuments and squares.

• Architectural significance: A major Romanesque cathedral dedicated to St. Peter and regarded as one of the Rhine region's Imperial Cathedrals alongside Mainz and Speyer.

What to See #

• West façade and towers: The westwork and façade, dominated by multiple towers and large Romanesque portal sculptures, form the principal external face of the cathedral.
• Nave and choir: The nave and choir area contain the main liturgical spaces and Romanesque architectural features including round arches and massive piers.
• Crypt: A crypt beneath the choir preserves the lower-level structure and earlier medieval elements of the church's fabric.