St. Aposteln
One of Cologne's twelve great Romanesque churches — known for its trefoil-shaped trichoral apse at Neumarkt and celebrated as the city's premier music church.
since 1020
St. Aposteln is a Roman Catholic church on Neumarkt and one of Cologne's twelve great Romanesque churches. The three-aisled basilica is renowned for its trefoil-shaped trichoral apse and its rich musical life.
At a Glance
- Type
- Roman Catholic church, three-aisled basilica
- Location
- City centre on Neumarkt, between Hahnenstraße and Mittelstraße (Altstadt-Nord)
- Architectural style
- Romanesque
- West tower
- approx. 67 metres — third tallest tower among Cologne's Romanesque churches
- Status
- Basilica minor (since 1965)
- Listed
- Protected monument
- Dedicated to
- The Twelve Apostles
In the 11th century, St. Aposteln stood just outside Cologne's Roman city walls – and the evidence is literally built into the church: at a height of 7.80 metres in the choir apse, a now-bricked-up doorway survives through which, in the 12th century, one could step directly onto the walkway of the ancient Roman city wall.
Age comparison
Age compared with other places in Cologne.
Architecture
The eastern end features an elaborate trichoral arrangement flanked by two towers. Above the trefoil choir rises a short octagonal crossing tower with a lantern. Opposite stands the west tower, connected to the nave's transept by a short barrel-vaulted bay. The exterior has no flying buttresses at all.
History
A collegiate foundation was established on this site in the 10th century. In the early 11th century a large Salian rebuilding — known as the "Pilgrimbau" — was carried out, attributed to either Archbishop Heribert or Archbishop Pilgrim. That structure was oriented westward, with the choir and high altar at the west end, echoing St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Much of the outer nave and west transept walls still preserve their Romanesque core. Around 1230 the flat timber ceilings of the nave and transept were replaced by stone vaulting.
Location and Urban History
In the 11th century St. Aposteln still stood outside the city proper, right against the Roman town wall. A now-bricked-up gateway at 7.80 metres height in the choir apse marks where one could step onto the Roman wall's walkway. Neumarkt itself only came into being after 1180 as an additional trading place.
Today
Pope Paul VI elevated the church to a basilica minor in 1965. It sees itself as a city church amid the bustle of Neumarkt. Church music plays a central role — in both liturgy and concert — earning St. Aposteln its reputation as Cologne's "music church." In 2021/2022 the basilica marked its 1,000th anniversary.
Timeline
- 10. Jh.Foundation of a collegiate church historically documented
- um 1020Salian new building (Pilgrimbau) erected under Archbishop Heribert or Pilgrim
- 1106New city wall of Cologne built
- ab 1180New city wall, Neumarkt established; church reorientation
- 1200–1220Stone vaulting added to nave and transept
- 18. Sep. 1965Pope Paul VI elevates the church to basilica minor
- 2021/2022Celebrations for the 1000th anniversary of the basilica
Gallery
Map
Blue dots: other places nearby — tap to explore.
Address
Neumarkt 30
50677 Köln
Hours
Mo: 10:00–19:00
Di: 10:00–19:00
Mi: 10:00–19:00
Do: 10:00–19:00
Fr: 10:00–19:00
Sa: 10:00–19:00
So: 09:00–17:00
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Sources & links
- Official website
- Wikidata (retrieved 2026-06-23)
- Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-06-23, rev 266277326)
- Official website (retrieved 2026-06-24)
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-06-27
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