DEHUROENTR

Plizio Visual Lab

Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Historical site
—°10
Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)

Weather…

St. Peter's Cathedral in Worms is one of the three Rhenish Imperial Cathedrals and an outstanding example of Romanesque architecture in Germany. Built primarily during the 12th century, it impresses with its harmonious proportions and its distinctive east and west choirs flanked by towers. Historically, the cathedral is inextricably linked to the Diet of Worms in 1521, where Martin Luther defended his theses before Emperor Charles V and famously refused to recant. Although Luther's defense took place in a nearby building rather than the cathedral itself, the church remains the central monument to this world-historical event. The interior houses precious art treasures, including the magnificent high altar designed by Balthasar Neumann. The cathedral's crypt serves as the burial site for members of the Salian imperial dynasty. Over the centuries, the cathedral survived numerous periods of destruction, particularly during the War of the Palatine Succession and World War II, but was always faithfully restored. Today, it is an active episcopal church and a significant cultural heritage site attracting thousands of visitors annually.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C0151014182120151051
Rain mm655254447562707150616372

📋 Practical info

📍
Address
Domplatz, 67547 Worms, Germany
🕒
Hours
Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00, Sun 12:45-18:00 (Mar-Oct)
💶
Entry
free
🌐
Website
worms-dom.de
🚌
Transit
Bus 401 to stop Domplatz
🅿️
Parking
Parking garage at the cathedral, approx. 1.50 €/hour
♿
Accessibility
Largely accessible via ramps.
📷
Photos
Photography without flash allowed outside of services.
⭐
Best time
Late afternoon for the light through the west choir windows.
🎧
Audio guide
German, English, French (app)

History & landmarks

middle-ages

1130–1181

Geography

Coordinates
49.63210, 8.36030

Facts

  • The cathedral was built in its current form between 1130 and 1181.
  • At 110 meters long, it is the smallest of the three Imperial Cathedrals.
  • The baroque high altar was created in 1742.
  • The crypt holds the remains of eight members of Emperor Conrad II's family.
  • The cathedral is a key setting in the Nibelungenlied epic poem.
  • Pope Leo IX was nominated for the papacy here in 1048.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Worms CathedralWorms Cathedral<1 km · SExplore →
📍Osthofen9 km · NExplore →
📍Lampertheim9 km · SEExplore →
FrankenthalFrankenthal11 km · SExplore →
📍Lorsch15 km · EExplore →
📍Grünstadt16 km · SWExplore →
BASF SE LudwigshafenBASF SE Ludwigshafen16 km · SExplore →
📍Gernsheim16 km · NEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (10)

Lutherdenkmal

Large monument for Martin Luther in Worms, frequently copied.

Lincoln-Theater

Theatre building in Worms, venue for cultural events.

Hofkirche Sankt Stephan

Ruins of a former court church.

Heylshofpark🌳 park

Park and building in Worms, a historic ensemble.

Heylsschlößchen🏰 castle

Building in Worms, a former small castle.

Ludwigsdenkmal

Monument to a Ludwig, likely King Ludwig I.

Dom St. Peter

Cathedral in Worms, a Romanesque structure.

St. Martin

Church building in Rhineland-Palatinate, a historic church.

Dreifaltigkeitskirche

Church building in Rhineland-Palatinate, a place of worship.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Why is Worms Cathedral famous?
It is one of the three Rhenish Imperial Cathedrals and a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture.
What happened here at the Diet of Worms in 1521?
Martin Luther refused to recant his theses before Emperor Charles V.
What does the cathedral have to do with the Nibelungenlied?
The dispute between queens Kriemhild and Brünhild is said to have taken place before the cathedral's north portal.
Is there an entry fee for the cathedral?
Visiting the cathedral is free, though donations for the preservation of the building are welcome.
Is there a Luther memorial in Worms?
Yes, Worms is home to the world's largest Reformation memorial, just a few minutes' walk from the cathedral.
Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's: where is it located?
Worms Cathedral, St. Peter's is located in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's: what is there to see?
Highlights include Lutherdenkmal, Lincoln-Theater, Museum Heylshof.
Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Germany →

Nearby cities

Mainz — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Mainz
Mainz is the state capital of Rhineland-Palatinate and boasts over 2,000 years of history dating back to the Romans.
Ludwigshafen — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Ludwigshafen
Ludwigshafen is the largest city in the Palatinate and globally recognized as the headquarters of the chemical giant BASF.
Ludwigshafen — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Ludwigshafen
Ludwigshafen am Rhein is an important industrial location in Rhineland-Palatinate, home to the BASF Group.
Koblenz — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Koblenz
Koblenz is located at the Deutsches Eck, the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine, and is a historic fortress city.
Trier — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Trier
Trier in Rhineland-Palatinate is proudly the oldest city in Germany, founded by the Romans around 16 BC.
Kaiserslautern — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Kaiserslautern
Kaiserslautern is known for the Palatinate Forest and 1.
Worms — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Worms
Worms is one of Germany's oldest cities, significant in the Nibelung legend and Reformation history.
Neuwied — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Neuwied
Neuwied is on the Rhine and is often called the Dyke City.
Neustadt an der Weinstraße — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Neustadt an der Weinstraße
Neustadt an der Weinstraße is a central hub of Palatinate viticulture, located at the eastern edge of the Palatinate Forest.
Neustadt — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Neustadt
Neustadt an der Weinstraße is a center of German viticulture.
Frankenthal — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Frankenthal
Frankenthal is a medium-sized city between Worms and Ludwigshafen.
Pirmasens — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Pirmasens
Pirmasens was long the center of the German shoe industry.
Bad Kreuznach — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Bad Kreuznach
Bad Kreuznach is a traditional spa town on the Nahe river.
Zweibrücken — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Zweibrücken
Zweibrücken is the city of roses and horses.
Andernach — Worms Cathedral – St. Peter's (Germany)
Andernach
Andernach is one of the oldest cities in Germany, on the Rhine.