Xanten Cathedral

Xanten Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Victor, is a large medieval Gothic church in the town of Xanten in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is one of the principal historic churches on the Lower Rhine and a prominent landmark in the town.

The building features a spacious Gothic nave, aisles and prominent west towers that shape the town skyline; interior spaces include a crypt with older tombs and religious furnishings. The cathedral is used for Roman Catholic worship and also attracts architectural and historical interest for its scale and Gothic detailing.

The present medieval fabric dates mainly from the high and late Middle Ages; the site has earlier Christian and Roman-era associations. The cathedral suffered significant damage in the Second World War and underwent substantial restoration in the post-war decades.

Xanten Cathedral sits within the town of Xanten on the Lower Rhine, in northwest Germany, and is accessible from nearby regional cities in North Rhine-Westphalia.

• Restoration history: The cathedral was heavily damaged during World War II and subsequently restored, so much of the visible structure reflects post-war conservation work.

What to See #

• Nave and aisles: The cathedral nave and aisles form the main public worship space and show the building's Gothic hall-church layout.
• Crypt: A historic crypt beneath the main church space that contains older tombs and archaeological remains associated with the site.
• West towers: The twin west towers that dominate Xanten's skyline and are visible from across the town.