Cities
Germany Cologne Rhine-Westphalia Church

St. Maria im Kapitol

About

St. Maria im Kapitol is the largest and oldest of Cologne’s twelve Romanesque churches, built between 1040 and 1065 on the foundations of a former Roman temple dedicated to the Capitoline Triad. Its name, “im Kapitol,” recalls this ancient legacy, and the church’s trefoil-shaped east end with three apses reflects its unique architectural design. Inspired by the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the basilica is considered one of the most important works of German church architecture from the Salian dynasty. Inside, visitors encounter treasures such as the rare 11th‑century wooden doors carved with biblical scenes, the only surviving example of their kind from the Middle Ages. The church also preserves Roman mosaics, medieval sculptures, and a serene atmosphere that contrasts with its monumental scale. Despite damage during World War II, careful restoration has ensured that St. Maria im Kapitol remains a place of worship and a cultural landmark. It stands as a powerful symbol of Cologne’s layered history, uniting Roman roots, medieval faith, and modern resilience.

Cologne Germany
St. Maria im Kapitol
Location

St. Maria im Kapitol is located at Kasinostraße 8, 50676 Köln, in the Kapitol-Viertel of Cologne’s old town, about 300 metres southwest from Heumarkt and a short walk from the city centre. The church sits on a historical elevation where the Roman Capitoline Temple once stood, making it the largest Romanesque church in Cologne, and features unique architectural elements including a tri-conch apse and ornate wooden doors. Nearby, visitors find Heumarkt square—home to numerous restaurants, breweries, and shops—along with the lively shopping street of Hohe Straße, museums, the courthouse, St. Georg and St. Cäcilien Romanesque churches, tranquil cloister gardens, and the hidden Dreikönigenpförtchen gate. The area is easily reached by public transport and is surrounded by cultural attractions, archaeological sites, and pedestrian zones ideal for exploring the rich heritage of Cologne’s centre.​

Museum Ludwig Museum Ludwig Museum Roman-Germanic Museum Roman-Germanic Museum Museum Wallraf-Richartz Museum & Fondation Corboud Wallraf-Richartz Museum & Fondation Corboud Museum Schnütgen Museum Schnütgen Museum Museum Museum für Angewandte Kunst Museum für Angewandte Kunst Museum Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst Museum Domschatzkammer Domschatzkammer Museum EL-DE Haus EL-DE Haus Museum Cologne City Museum Cologne City Museum Museum Fragrance Museum Fragrance Museum Museum German Sports and Olympic Museum German Sports and Olympic Museum Museum Odysseum Odysseum Museum Cologne Carnival Museum Cologne Carnival Museum Museum Cologne Chocolate Museum Cologne Chocolate Museum Museum Puppenmuseum Puppenmuseum Museum Radio Museum Köln e.v. Radio Museum Köln e.v. Museum Kolumba Kolumba Museum Medizinhistorisches Museum Köln Medizinhistorisches Museum Köln Museum Jüdisches Museum im Archäologischen Quartier Köln Jüdisches Museum im Archäologischen Quartier Köln Museum Rhenish Industrial Railway Museum Rhenish Industrial Railway Museum Museum Rail museum Thielenbruch Rail museum Thielenbruch Museum Biermuseum Biermuseum Pub Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum Museum Käthe Kollwitz Museum Käthe Kollwitz Museum Museum National Socialism Documentation Center of the City of Cologne National Socialism Documentation Center of the City of Cologne Museum SK Stiftung Kultur SK Stiftung Kultur Gallery Sammlung Zander Sammlung Zander Museum Dom Treasury Dom Treasury Museum Das Museum des Schmerzes und der Liebe Das Museum des Schmerzes und der Liebe Museum Römisch-Germanisches Museum im Belgischen Haus Römisch-Germanisches Museum im Belgischen Haus Museum Schauspiel Köln Schauspiel Köln Theatre Theater im Bauturm Theater im Bauturm Theatre Senftöpfchen-Theater Senftöpfchen-Theater Theatre Horizont Theater Horizont Theater Theatre Hänneschen-Theater Hänneschen-Theater Theatre Gloria-Theater Gloria-Theater Theatre Scala Theater Köln Scala Theater Köln Theatre Theater Tiefrot Theater Tiefrot Theatre Urania Theater Urania Theater Theatre Theater in der Filmdos Theater in der Filmdos Theatre Gallery Ehren Art Gallery Ehren Art Gallery 30works Galerie 30works Galerie Gallery Galerie Mensing Cologne Galerie Mensing Cologne Gallery Galerie Zander Susanne Galerie Zander Susanne Gallery Galerie Timeless Art Galerie Timeless Art Gallery Philipp Von Rosen Galerie Philipp Von Rosen Galerie Gallery Van der Grinten Galerie Van der Grinten Galerie Gallery Galerie Biesenbach Galerie Biesenbach Gallery Cologne Cathedral Cologne Cathedral Cathedral Kranhäuser im Rheinauhafen Kranhäuser im Rheinauhafen Tourist attractions Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln Botanical Garden Fort X Fort X Fortress Volksgarten Köln Volksgarten Köln Park Rheinpark Rheinpark Park Forstbotanischer Garten und Friedenswald Forstbotanischer Garten und Friedenswald Botanical Garden Malakoffturm Malakoffturm Historical Landmark Römerbrunnen Römerbrunnen Tourist attractions Exhibition Tower Exhibition Tower Tourist attractions Cologne Zoo Cologne Zoo Zoo Hahnentor Hahnentor Historical Landmark Edith Stein Denkmal Edith Stein Denkmal Monument Petrusbrunnen Petrusbrunnen Historical Landmark Hiroshima-Nagasaki-Park Hiroshima-Nagasaki-Park Park Equestrian monument to King Frederick William III of Prussia Equestrian monument to King Frederick William III of Prussia Tourist attractions Friedenspark Cologne Friedenspark Cologne Park Willi-Ostermann-Brunnen Willi-Ostermann-Brunnen Tourist attractions Time Ride Time Ride Tourist attractions Equestrian Statue of Kaiser Wilhelm II Equestrian Statue of Kaiser Wilhelm II Statue Heinzelmännchenbrunnen Heinzelmännchenbrunnen Cultural landmark Old Market Cologne Old Market Cologne Square Römerturm Römerturm Historical Landmark Romans' Northern Gate Romans' Northern Gate Historical Landmark Rheinboulevard Rheinboulevard Observation deck Ulrepforte Ulrepforte Historical Landmark Cologne View Cologne View Tourist attractions Great St. Martin Church Great St. Martin Church Church Pegel Köln Pegel Köln Tourist attractions Bastei Köln Bastei Köln Tourist attractions Kaskaden Kaskaden Tourist attractions Basilica of St. Gereon Basilica of St. Gereon Church Hohenzollern Bridge Hohenzollern Bridge Bridge Stadtwald Stadtwald Park Schloss Arff Schloss Arff Castle Trödel- und Antikmarkt an der Rheinpromenade Trödel- und Antikmarkt an der Rheinpromenade Market Flohmarkt an der Galopprennbahn Flohmarkt an der Galopprennbahn Market Flohmarkt & Antikmarkt Kölner Altstadt Flohmarkt & Antikmarkt Kölner Altstadt Market Flohmarkt RheinEnergieStadion Flohmarkt RheinEnergieStadion Market Flohmarkt an der Südbrücke Flohmarkt an der Südbrücke Market Roonstraße Synagogue Roonstraße Synagogue Synagogue Basilica of St. Kunibert Basilica of St. Kunibert Church Schmitz Column Schmitz Column Historical Landmark Jan von Werth Monument Jan von Werth Monument Monument Forstbotanischer Garten Köln Forstbotanischer Garten Köln Park Beethovenpark Beethovenpark Park