St. Pankratius

St. Pankratius is a Romanesque church in Odenthal with a four-story west tower and three naves, later expanded with a neo-Romanesque section featuring a transept and semicircular apse. The interior is defined by sturdy pillars that support the upper gallery levels.

The church began in the 11th century as a simple single-nave structure and expanded into a three-nave Romanesque pillar basilica by the late 12th century. This transformation shaped the form we see today.

The interior holds artworks spanning centuries: an octagonal granite baptismal font from the 12th century, sculptures from five centuries, and colorful glass windows from recent times. These pieces show how the place was shaped by many generations.

The church sits near Altenberger-Dom-Straße and is easy to spot from outside with its distinctive tower. Access is through the main entrances, and visitors should keep in mind the rural character of the surrounding area.

The bell tower holds one of the Rhineland's oldest working bells, cast around 1200 and part of an eight-bell bronze ensemble. This historic bell still rings on special occasions today.