Nikolauskapelle, église allemande de Cologne
The Nikolauskapelle is a small Romanesque chapel in Westhoven with a simple rectangular form, thick walls made of mixed stones, and a slate roof topped by a small bell tower. Inside, the space features modest windows, white plaster walls, and two bronze bells, the smaller one cast in the late 1600s.
The chapel was built around 1100 as a place of worship for Westhoven residents and was originally connected to the St. Heribert Abbey in Deutz. During the French occupation in the late 1700s, the chapel escaped destruction while much of the surrounding settlement was burned.
The chapel is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and merchants, reflecting its deep connection to the nearby Rhine River traffic and commerce. For centuries, local residents and travelers stopped here to pray and seek blessings for their journeys and livelihoods.
The site is accessible by public transport and located near the Rhine, making the walk there pleasant and straightforward. The surrounding cemetery and open access allow for a casual visit without special preparation or planning ahead.
The smaller of the two bronze bells was cast in Cologne in 1676 and bears the name of its maker, Johann Heinrich Wickrath, engraved on its surface. This bell still rings today, while the larger bell from 1850 was added later to complete the full set of chimes.
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