Description of the attraction
The Church of St. Panteleion is located near the Cologne Cathedral and is one of the largest basilicas in the city, managed by a special fund for the support of Romanesque churches. Historians claim that the first written mention of this basilica dates back to 866, and already in 995 a Benedictine monastery was founded here thanks to the efforts of Archbishop Bruno.
The Church of St. Panteleion is one of the oldest spiritual structures in the city, the first relics placed inside were brought during the reign of the Carolingian dynasty. Some fragments of statues and sculptures, which were created in the X century, have survived to this day. The entire western part of the temple, together with the vestibule, has survived to this day in its original appearance.
This temple was originally a one-nave hall church, but in 1160 it was rebuilt into a three-nave basilica. After its significant expansion and the construction of the fortifications of Cologne, the church ended up within the city limits. From the first half of the 17th century, elements of the Baroque were introduced into the architectural style of the building; from such details, the decoration of the choir, as well as the backdrop of the organ, have survived to this day.
In 1757, the church of St. Panteleion fell into disrepair, for this very reason it was decided to demolish its towers on the sides and build others, but smaller in size and height. Subsequently, the basilica was used as a stable and a garrison church. During the hostilities of the 20th century, the temple was significantly damaged by shelling and bombing, but as a result of restoration and restoration work, it was possible to return it to its original appearance in the Romanesque style, albeit with some baroque elements.
