Worms Cathedral

Worms Cathedral (Wormser Dom St. Peter) is the landmark of Worms, one of Germany's oldest cities, on the Rhine River in Rhineland-Palatinate. The smallest and most slender of the three Romanesque imperial cathedrals of the Rhineland, it rises on the highest point of the old town with four round towers and two domes. Emperors and popes made history here, the Nibelung legend sets a famous scene at its doors, and inside a gilded Baroque altar awaits.

History in brief

The Romans built a forum and temple district on this flood-safe hill. Bishop Burchard began a large cathedral around 1000, consecrated in 1018; the present building was completed in the 12th century and consecrated on May 2, 1181. In 1122 the Concordat of Worms ended the Investiture Controversy between emperor and pope, and in 1235 Emperor Frederick II married Isabella of England here. French troops burned the interior in 1689, which is why most furnishings are Baroque.

What to see

• High altar by Balthasar Neumann: a golden column altar in the east choir by one of Germany's great Baroque architects.
• Choir stalls: richly carved, made between 1755 and 1759.
• South portal: Gothic sculpture from around 1300 with the Coronation of the Virgin.
• St. Nicholas Chapel: modern stained glass and a tiny dachshund carving locals call the "Domdackel."
• Salian tombs: members of the Salian imperial dynasty rest beneath the choir.

Opening hours and tickets

As of October 2026, the parish lists summer hours of 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Sundays; in the winter half of the year the cathedral opens 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (Sundays from 11:30 a.m.). Sightseeing is not allowed during services. Admission is free. Guided tours are run by accredited local guides – ask the Worms tourist office for English-language options.

How to get there

Worms makes an easy day trip from Frankfurt, Mannheim or Heidelberg. Regional trains stop at Worms Hauptbahnhof and are covered by the Deutschlandticket; from the station it is a short walk through the pedestrian zone up to the cathedral. Drivers reach Worms via the A61 autobahn and can use garages in the city center. Allow 30 to 60 minutes inside.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you are following the Romanesque cathedrals along the Rhine or are interested in Martin Luther. In summer the Nibelungen Festival stages open-air theater right beside the cathedral.

Nearby

• Heylshof Park: site of the bishop's palace where Martin Luther refused to recant before the Diet of Worms in 1521.
• Luther Monument: one of the largest Reformation memorials anywhere, a few minutes' walk away.
• Holy Sand Jewish cemetery and the synagogue: part of the UNESCO World Heritage ShUM Sites.
• Nibelungen Museum: a multimedia take on the legend, set in the old city walls.