Deutz Abbey

Deutz Abbey is a Romanesque church building on the eastern bank of the Rhine River with original architectural elements and preserved cellar foundations. The abbey grounds include several structures, with the main building now used as a retirement home.

Archbishop Heribert founded Deutz Abbey in 1003 at the site of a former Roman fort. The complex served for several centuries as a Benedictine monastery until it was dissolved during the Napoleonic period.

The former abbey church, now called Alt St. Heribert, serves as a house of worship for the Greek Orthodox community and shows the religious diversity of the city. Visitors can experience Eastern liturgical traditions that fill the space with a different spiritual practice.

The site sits directly on the Rhine and is easy to reach, but has limited visiting hours since parts of the grounds remain in use as a retirement home. Visitors should check accessibility before coming and show respectful consideration for the residents living there.

The shrine of Saint Heribert is not in Alt St. Heribert but in the newer Neu St. Heribert church next door. Murals created by artist Werner Weber decorate some areas of the site and reflect the artistic history of the place.

Location: Deutz

Inception: 11 century

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

GPS coordinates: 50.93806,6.96970

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:00