Heiligkreuzkapelle, Medieval chapel in Trier, Germany.
Heiligkreuzkapelle is a cross-shaped chapel built around 1050–1060 by Trier Cathedral provost Arnulf outside the medieval city walls. Its four arms were originally equal in length, with an octagonal tower over the crossing and an entrance portal in the west arm. The west arm was extended around 1620, and a baroque porch now stands before the Romanesque portal.
According to tradition, Saint Helena founded a chapel here in the 4th century. Between 1050 and 1060, Trier Cathedral provost Arnulf built a Romanesque chapel outside the city walls, with four equal arms and an octagonal tower over the crossing. It was heavily destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt from 1945 to 1958 without the Baroque elements; a 1976/77 renovation restored the Salian-era colour scheme.
The chapel gave its name to the surrounding Heiligkreuz district. Since 2010, Russian Orthodox liturgies in Church Slavonic and German have been held here alongside Catholic services such as youth Masses and confirmations. A three-register organ positive by the firm Meyer of Heusweiler, built in 1975, stands inside.
The chapel is accessible to visitors year-round and is located near Heiligkreuzerstrasse in central Trier. Allow time to examine the stonework and ornaments at a comfortable pace.
The late-Gothic tree cross now standing before the west entrance is a cast; the weathered original is kept inside behind the altar. The chapel also holds a three-register organ positive built by Meyer of Heusweiler in 1975.
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