Alt St. Martinus, church
Alt St. Martinus is a Romanesque church in Kaarst built with rounded arches and sturdy stone walls forming its main structure. The building contains a central nave with side aisles, an eastern choir section, and a distinctive west tower topped with an octagonal spire covered in dark slate shingles.
The church was built in 1146 on the site of an ancient cemetery, marking it as a place of spiritual importance from the beginning. The west tower was added in the 12th century, and the choir and side aisles were expanded over time to accommodate a growing community.
The church is named after Saint Martin, a figure deeply connected to local faith traditions in this region. Inside, wooden statues of Saint Martin and Saint Matthias stand as reminders of the saints who held special meaning for the community over the centuries.
The church sits in Kaarst's old town center and is visible from nearby roads, making it easy to locate. Since the building is typically locked when not in use, visitors should check opening times in advance or plan to visit during scheduled services or special occasions.
The west tower once served as a fortified structure with arrow slits that allowed defenders to watch over different directions surrounding the area. This reveals how medieval churches functioned not only as religious centers but also as protective strongholds for nearby settlements.
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