Soest - Patrokli Cathedral

Soest, today a town, was one of the major cities in Westphalia during the 11th./12th century, having a population of around 10.000. Founded (like Erwitte and Paderborn to the east) on the ancient "Hellweg" (=Saltway), Soest played a major role within the Hanseatic League. Once it was even the capital of Westphalia - and (1531) a center of Protestant Reformation in the area.

The towncenter has more than 600 listed buildings and a couple of old churches. Here the massive bell-tower of Patrokli-cathedral, built from blocks of green sandstone. This cathedral houses the relics of Saint Patroklus transferred from Troyes to Soest in 964 by Bruno I, Archbishop of Cologne. To the left is St. Petri-church.