Werden Abbey
Abtei Werden
A Benedictine abbey founded by St. Ludger around 799, with the Romanesque St. Ludger's Cathedral and treasury. The old town of Werden is charming.
Founded around 799 by the missionary St. Ludger, this Benedictine abbey is one of the oldest religious sites in the Ruhr. The abbey church, St. Ludger's Cathedral, is a late Romanesque building, and St. Ludger is buried in its underground crypt. The adjacent treasury holds medieval gold and silver objects and the famous Werden Bronze Cross. The treasury is open Tuesday to Sunday, while the church is free to enter. The Baroque abbey buildings are now used by the Folkwang University of the Arts. The surrounding old town of Werden keeps its half-timbered houses and narrow lanes, within walking distance of the Ruhr riverside and the boat piers on Lake Baldeney. From Essen Central Station, take the S6 for about 20 minutes to Essen-Werden station.
Opening hours
Church open during the day; treasury closed Mondays
Nearby sights
- Villa Hügel
- Lake Baldeney
- Grugapark
- Margarethenhöhe
- Museum Folkwang
- Essen Minster
- Old Synagogue (Essen)
- Ruhr Museum