St. Kiliani

St. Kiliani is a Romanesque church in Höxter featuring two prominent towers that rise above the town's roofline. The interior displays the transformation from an earlier basilica design into a two-aisled hall church, with thick stone walls and an open nave that shows the building's structural evolution.

The building took its Romanesque form around 1100 and underwent major reconstruction between 1391 and 1412 when it was transformed into a two-aisled hall church. This renovation period represented a significant shift in how the structure was used and experienced by worshippers.

The church is dedicated to St. Kiliani, an Irish missionary whose name reflects the wider connections of medieval Christianity in this region. Visitors can sense how the building served as a spiritual center for generations of Protestant worshippers in this river town.

The building welcomes visitors through the Open Churches Initiative of the Evangelical Church of Westphalia, though hours can be irregular. Checking ahead is wise since the church may sometimes be closed for services or special events, so plan your visit with this in mind.

Lightning struck the north tower in 1901 and triggered a fire that demanded more than a year of repair work. This dramatic event left marks on the structure itself and remains part of the building's story of resilience.

Location: Höxter

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

GPS coordinates: 51.77430,9.38329

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:43