St. Aldegundis, Romanesque church in Kaarst, Germany
St. Aldegundis is a Romanesque church in Kaarst with a four-story tower that contains a chapel dedicated to St. Michael on the ground floor and belfry chambers above. The structure shows typical medieval features with window openings and thick walls that define its appearance.
The church was founded in the 12th century, with the original structure built in 1166 on the foundations of an earlier 9th-century church mentioned in the writings of Saint Ludgerus. After World War II, five bronze bells were requisitioned, with only the small Marian bell from 1927 surviving, preserving the religious continuity of the site.
The wooden ceiling of the nave displays paintings from 1896 by artist Wunderwald, while the side aisle vaults preserve works from the same period. These decorative elements shape the interior and show local artistic traditions.
Visit this Romanesque church best on weekends when services are held or it opens to visitors. It is wise to check exact opening times in advance, since it serves as a parish church and is not always accessible to the public.
The tower's window openings are narrowly cut and suggest the structure served as a refuge during medieval times, a practical function beyond its religious role. These defensive features remain visible today and show how church buildings once served dual purposes.
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