Worms Cathedral
Wormser Dom St. Peter
A Romanesque masterpiece and one of the three great imperial cathedrals on the Rhine, alongside Speyer and Mainz. The Old Town also has a Luther monument and Europe’s oldest Jewish cemetery.
Worms Cathedral (St. Peter’s Cathedral) was largely built in the 12th century and is a leading example of High Romanesque architecture in Germany. Both its eastern and western ends have twin towers and octagonal domes. The western choir features a dazzling gilded high altar designed by Baroque master Balthasar Neumann. Worms is the setting of the Nibelungenlied and the city where Luther refused to retract his views at the Imperial Diet in 1521. A Luther Monument stands near the cathedral. In the city, the Jewish cemetery “Heiliger Sand” and the synagogue are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Jewish Quarters of Speyer, Worms and Mainz.” The cathedral is free to visit, though it is closed during Mass. From Heidelberg, a regional train via Mannheim takes about 50 minutes. It pairs well with Speyer for a day trip.
Opening hours
Apr–Oct 09:00–18:00; Nov–Mar 10:00–17:00 (visits suspended during Mass)
Nearby sights
- Mannheim Palace
- Speyer Cathedral
- Schwetzingen Palace & Gardens
- Heidelberg Zoo
- Neckarwiese
- Heiligenberg & Thingstätte
- Philosophers' Walk
- Kurpfälzisches Museum