Dom zu Wetzlar
-
Luftaufnahme DomPhoto: Dominik Ketz, © Tourist-Information Wetzlar
The old town of Wetzlar is dominated by the cathedral (Dom) . But only by taking a closer look does it become clear what makes it so unique.
The Gothic west facade is seemingly unfinished; the left tower is the incompleted stump of what was originally planned. A “church within a church” is visible behind the facade, the remains of what was once an important late Romanesque basilica from the 12th century which the town and the cathedral chapter had wanted to tear down and replace with a more imposing new church.
Shortly before the year 1230, barely 50 years after the completion of the Romanesque basilica, preparations were being made for a newer, larger, more lavish church. Financial difficulties plagued the town in the Middle Ages. Progress on construction was excruciatingly slow. Spurts of activity were followed by interruptions that could last decades. Not until 1590 were the current top stories and roof of the main tower completed.
As a result, every era of German church architecture from the late Romanesque period to the modern is represented, each having left its indelible mark on the cathedral of Wetzlar.
During the Reformation, when most residents of Wetzlar converted to Lutheranism, use of the church was shared with a Catholic congregation, an arrangement which has continued to this day.
Opening hours
Price:
Free admission.
Coordinates
Recommendations nearby
Through the park of the Ilmenau Anlage (park) you will get up to the Garbenheimer Warte. Afterwards, walking through the Lahn meadows will finally ...
Starting from Wetzlar, the route climbs up to the castle ruins of Kalsmunt. Moreover, you will walk through the nature and bird sanctuary Weinberg ...
Starting from Braunfels castle, you will get through the nature and bird sanctuary Weinberg. Moreover, you will walk through the castle ruins of ...
This tour is highly diversified and offers many highlights: The pond near Braunfels, the Kubacher Kristallhöhle, the Weilburg animal park and two ...
In a good mood, the view of the twin castles takes you up to the Frauenkreuz, through the wide Lahn meadows to Garbenheim and magnificent views ...
Fans of castles will quite like this part of the trail. Through the Wißmarbachtal you will get up into the forest, after which the route takes you ...
With its excellent public transport connections and the wide range of accommodation and cultural activities on offer, Gießen is a very interesting ...
It’s romantic hiking the paths in the idyllic Wißmarbachtal. Have you ever dreamed of being a lady or a lord of the castle? The detours to the ...
Show all on map
Dom zu Wetzlar
35578 Wetzlar
- 8 Routes nearby
Questions and answers
Would you like to the ask the author a question?
Rating
Help others by being the first to add a review.
Photos from others