St. Kilian

St. Kilian is a Romanesque church in Lügde with a distinctive central tower featuring sound arcades and columns with cube capitals, as well as two transept portals decorated with sculptures. The building sits on a ridge south of town and is surrounded by a cemetery enclosed by high rubble stone walls.

The oldest part of the building, the tower, dates to 1100, while the nave and choir were constructed in the final quarter of the 12th century. This construction phase coincided with a period of trade prosperity and religious significance in the region.

The interior walls show paintings from the 12th century in the Soest style, depicting palmettes and leaves. These images are among the few surviving examples of this artistic tradition in the region.

The site functions as a cemetery church and can be viewed from the outside, though interior access may be limited. It is best visited in early morning or afternoon light, when the stone details and tower ornamentation are most visible.

One column capital displays a carved head known as the 'envy head,' possibly representing the Norse figure of Loki. This rare motif blends Germanic mythology with medieval Christian architecture.

Location: Lügde

GPS coordinates: 51.95220,9.24420

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:24