St. Viktor Cathedral (Xanten)

For the Church of St. Victor in the center of Xanten on the Lower Rhine is due to its size, the name "Xantener Dom" in use, although it is not a cathedral. Impressive building with great glass windows.

The Catholic parish and former collegiate church of St. Victor in Xanten on the Lower Rhine, although it was never bishop's church, because of their importance and size commonly referred to as Xanten Cathedral. Wikipedia

<< St. Viktor Cathedral - The spiritual center of the city >>
"...The mighty Gothic cathedral of St. Viktor dominates the cityscape of Xanten. The west facade with the towers dates back to the Romanesque period. You enter the five-aisled basilica through the south portal. Rich art treasures await you inside the cathedral:
+ High altar with reliquary
+ 17 important restored altars
+ Glass windows
+ Sculptures
+ Statues on the pillars
+ Carving of the choir stalls
+ Tapestries
+ Board pictures
Origins and History:
Xanten's origins go back to "To the Saints" - "ad sanctos". According to legend, the Roman legionnaire Victor and his companions died as Christian martyrs in the 4th century, and believers soon made a pilgrimage to their memorial site.
Chapels and the first church buildings were built over Victor's grave. In the 8th century a monastery was founded in honor of Viktor. A Carolingian church was built in the 9th century, which was replaced by subsequent buildings. A settlement with traders and craftsmen developed next to the monastery, from which the town of Xanten emerged.
Friedrich von Hochstaden, provost of Xanten and brother of the Archbishop of Cologne, laid the foundation stone of today's cathedral in 1263. In the crypt you will find the suspected grave of the ancient martyr Victor and his companion. In 1966 the crypt was expanded in memory of the Christian resistance fighters in the 3rd Reich.
The atmospherically beautiful cloister surrounds a leafy courtyard with a high cross from the 14th century. ..."
xanten.de/de/tix/dom-st.-viktor