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 nave of the Romanesque basilica was built in the 11th century on an older burial ground. The number 1146 appears in an inscription in the south aisle, according to Paul Clemen, but it is not confirmed as the construction year. The west tower followed in the mid-12th century, and the side aisles and choir apse at the end of the 12th century. In 1961–69 the church was demolished down to the tower and nave walls, then reconstructed in its High Medieval form.

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 church was demolished in 1961–69 down to the tower and the walls of the main nave, then rebuilt in its high-medieval form. The 1146 figure is only reported by Paul Clemen as an inscription in the south aisle, not as a confirmed construction date.