Xanten Cathedral

The origins of the cathedral date back to the 4th century, when a cella memoriae was built over two graves, which were later interred in the crypt. In the 6th century, a stone oratory was erected on this site, followed by a Carolingian church in 752. Around this church, a collegiate chapter developed, named 'ad Sanctos,' from which the place name Xanten later derived. After destruction by Normans in 863, an Ottonian-Romanesque cathedral was consecrated around 967. The foundation stone for the current Gothic cathedral was laid in 1263 by Friedrich and Konrad von Hochstaden. Construction lasted 281 years and was completed in 1544 with the consecration of the Holy Spirit Chapel. Originally planned as a three-aisled nave, a five-aisled nave in Gothic style was ultimately built.