Altstadt in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany — Central Europe

Mittelalter - Neuzeit: Basilika St. Kastor

The Medieval Period -Modern Times: The St. Kastor Basilica

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, December 16, 2024

1. The Medieval Period / Modern Times: The St. Kastor Basilica Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Die Basilika St. Kastor, die Stiftskirche des ehemaligen trierschen St.-Kastor-Stiftes, ist heute ein freistehender Baukörper inmitten einer Grünanlage. Der urkundlichen Überlieferung zufolge wurde die karolingische Kirche im Auftrag Kaiser Ludwigs des Frommen ausgebaut und am 12. November 836 durch den Trierer Erzbischof Hetti geweiht. In der zweiten Hälfte des 12. Jahrhunderts ließ Probst Buvo St. Kastor zu einer romanischen, dreischiffigen Pfeilerbasilika umbauen. Die Umgestaltung der Kirche mit der doppeltürmigen Westfassade, dem Querhaus, dem Chor mit halbrunder Apsis, Nebenkapellen und zwei schlanken Chorflankentürmen fand mit der Weihe 1208 ihren Abschluss.

1802 wurde das St.-Kastor-Stift auf Befehl der französischen Regierung aufgehoben und die Stiftsgebäude abgebrochen. Die Kirche St. Kastor blieb jedoch als Pfarrkirche erhalten. 1991 hat Papst Johannes Paul II. sie zur basilica minor erhoben.

Today the basilica St. Kastor, formerly the collegiate church of the St. Kastor collegiate in Trier, is a freestanding building in the midst of a green. According to written sources,

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the Carolingian church was extended by order of emperor Louis the Pious and consecrated on November 12th 836 by Hetti, archbishop of Trier. In the second half of the 12th century provost Buvo had it transformed to a Romanesque basilica separated into three aisles by colonnades. Also were added a new western facade with two steeples, a transept, a choir, and a semicircular apse, side chapels and two slender towers flanking the choir. Work ended with its new consecration in 1208. By instruction of the French government in 1802, the collegiate was dissolved and its building demolished. The church continued however to function as a parish church. In 1991 Pope John Paul II promoted the church to a basilica minor.

[Photo Caption]
Kupferstich von Merian (1632) mit dem frühen Stadtbild von Koblenz und dem Verlauf der mittelalterlichen Stadt mauer. Die Bastionen und Walle vor der Mauer gehören zu den barocken Befestigungen des 17. Jahrhunderts.

Copper engraving by Merian (1632) depicting the early townscape of Koblenz and medieval ramparts. The bastions and embankments in front of the wall belong to the baroque fortifications from the 17th century.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is November 12, 1208.

Location. 50°

St. Kastor Basilica Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, December 16, 2024

2. St. Kastor Basilica Markers

21.731′ N, 7° 36.294′ E. Marker is in Koblenz, Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate). It is in Altstadt. It is on Konrad Adenaer Ufer north of Kastorhof, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Koblenz RP 56, Germany. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

Central Europe,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Moderne: Deutsches Eck Mit Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal (here, next to this marker); Der Römische Tempel Unter Der Basilika St. Kastor (here, next to this marker); Vor- und Frühgeschichte / Pre and Early History (here, next to this marker); Römische Zeit/ Roman Period (here, next to this marker); Geologie - Landschftsentwicklung / Geology - Landscape Development (here, next to this marker); Historical Findings at St. Kastor (here, next to this marker); Spätgotische Kapelle / Late Gothic Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); Mit Demonstrationen und Kerzen zur Friedlichen Revolution (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Koblenz.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.