Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Hellweg

Local tradition knows that Dortmund was founded by Charlemagne in the course of the Saxon Wars. The first written mention of "Throtmanni" dates back to 882. In 1152, a court day was held in Dortmund under King Frederick Barbarossa. Craftsmen and merchants settled and so Dortmund developed into a city. A fire in 1232 almost completely destroyed the town. The fire also caused the loss of the town's archives and with them all documents from the time before the fire. Dortmund's privileges, which had been lost in the fire, were renewed by Frederick II in 1236. In 1293 the city was granted the brewing right and unprecedented development of the beer industry within the city began. In 1389, Dortmund survived the "Great Dortmund Feud" against the Count of the Mark and the Archbishop of Cologne. However, an economic decline was initiated. This process was continued and intensified by the Thirty Years' War and led to the city's decline, with the population falling to 4500 by 1793. Dortmund became an exclave of the Principality of Orange-Nassau. In 1808 Dortmund became part of the Napoleonic Grand Duchy of Berg. After the Prussian victory over Napoleon, Dortmund fell to the Prussian province of Westphalia in 1815. From the mid of 19th century, Dortmund's renewed rise and transformation into an industrial city began due to coal mining and steel processing. Since the opening of the railroad in 1847, Dortmund became a transportation hub in the Ruhr region. Another contribution to development came in 1899 with the opening of the Dortmund-Ems Canal. This infrastructure paved Dortmund's way to becoming a major city. The city grew beyond the narrow confines of the medieval ramparts. By the outbreak of WWII, the townscape had changed from a farming town to a metropolitan appearance. During WWII, more than 100 air raids destroyed more than 90 percent of the city, including its historic churches. Reconstruction proceeded quickly, and by 1950 the city had 500,000 inhabitants. Today, with about 590,000 inhabitants, Dortmund is part of the "Ruhr district", a polycentric urban area. With a population of over 5 million, it is the largest urban area in Germany. - The Marienkirche (foreground) was built on the Hellweg, opposite St. Reinoldi. Historians assume that the visits of the emperors Frederick I Barbarossa and his successor Henry VI to the imperial palace Dortmund led to the construction of the Marienkirche. It was still called "Capella Regis" in the 13th century. It was erected between 1170 and 1200 in Romanesque style and is the oldest extant church in Dortmund's inner city] Around 1350, a choir in Gothic architecture was built. It served as a model for the Reinoldikirche. Since the Reformation, it has been a Lutheran parish church. The collapsing tower of St. Reinoldi (earthquake 1661) partially destroyed the Marienkirche. The restoration was initially not possible due to lack of funds. The church was considered a ruined building and was temporarily closed to the public. In 1805, the north tower had to be demolished. In 1828 the church had to be closed due to dilapidation, and in 1832 the south tower also threatened to collapse. The ruins of the church were to be demolished and released as a quarry. It was saved by the commitment of the Prussian King Frederick William IV after a visit to Dortmund in 1833. The church was almost completely destroyed by bombs in WWII. It was rebuilt, beginning right after the war and completed in 1959 St. Mary's Church has very valuable furnishings, which were removed during the war. One of them is the "Berswordt Altar", named after the founding family Berswordt. The images of the winged altar can be dated to before 1390 and show an Annunciation to Mary on the outside and the Passion of Christ in three scenes on the inside. The painter of the altar is not known by name. He is referred to by the name "Master of the Berswordt Altar".

Local tradition knows that Dortmund was founded by Charlemagne in the course of the Saxon Wars. The first written mention of "Throtmanni" dates back to 882. In 1152, a court day was held in Dortmund under King Frederick Barbarossa. Craftsmen and merchants settled and so Dortmund developed into a city. A fire in 1232 almost completely destroyed the town. The fire also caused the loss of the town's archives and with them all documents from the time before the fire. Dortmund's privileges, which had been lost in the fire, were renewed by Frederick II in 1236. In 1293 the city was granted the brewing right and unprecedented development of the beer industry within the city began. In 1389, Dortmund survived the "Great Dortmund Feud" against the Count of the Mark and the Archbishop of Cologne. However, an economic decline was initiated. This process was continued and intensified by the Thirty Years' War and led to the city's decline, with the population falling to 4500 by 1793. Dortmund became an exclave of the Principality of Orange-Nassau. In 1808 Dortmund became part of the Napoleonic Grand Duchy of Berg. After the Prussian victory over Napoleon, Dortmund fell to the Prussian province of Westphalia in 1815. From the mid of 19th century, Dortmund's renewed rise and transformation into an industrial city began due to coal mining and steel processing. Since the opening of the railroad in 1847, Dortmund became a transportation hub in the Ruhr region. Another contribution to development came in 1899 with the opening of the Dortmund-Ems Canal. This infrastructure paved Dortmund's way to becoming a major city. The city grew beyond the narrow confines of the medieval ramparts. By the outbreak of WWII, the townscape had changed from a farming town to a metropolitan appearance. During WWII, more than 100 air raids destroyed more than 90 percent of the city, including its historic churches. Reconstruction proceeded quickly, and by 1950 the city had 500,000 inhabitants. Today, with about 590,000 inhabitants, Dortmund is part of the "Ruhr district", a polycentric urban area. With a population of over 5 million, it is the largest urban area in Germany. - The Marienkirche (foreground) was built on the Hellweg, opposite St. Reinoldi. Historians assume that the visits of the emperors Frederick I Barbarossa and his successor Henry VI to the imperial palace Dortmund led to the construction of the Marienkirche. It was still called "Capella Regis" in the 13th century. It was erected between 1170 and 1200 in Romanesque style and is the oldest extant church in Dortmund's inner city] Around 1350, a choir in Gothic architecture was built. It served as a model for the Reinoldikirche. Since the Reformation, it has been a Lutheran parish church. The collapsing tower of St. Reinoldi (earthquake 1661) partially destroyed the Marienkirche. The restoration was initially not possible due to lack of funds. The church was considered a ruined building and was temporarily closed to the public. In 1805, the north tower had to be demolished. In 1828 the church had to be closed due to dilapidation, and in 1832 the south tower also threatened to collapse. The ruins of the church were to be demolished and released as a quarry. It was saved by the commitment of the Prussian King Frederick William IV after a visit to Dortmund in 1833. The church was almost completely destroyed by bombs in WWII. It was rebuilt, beginning right after the war and completed in 1959 It also serves as a concert venue for sacred music.

Local tradition knows that Dortmund was founded by Charlemagne in the course of the Saxon Wars. The first written mention of "Throtmanni" dates back to 882. In 1152, a court day was held in Dortmund under King Frederick Barbarossa. Craftsmen and merchants settled and so Dortmund developed into a city. A fire in 1232 almost completely destroyed the town. The fire also caused the loss of the town's archives and with them all documents from the time before the fire. Dortmund's privileges, which had been lost in the fire, were renewed by Frederick II in 1236. In 1293 the city was granted the brewing right and unprecedented development of the beer industry within the city began. In 1389, Dortmund survived the "Great Dortmund Feud" against the Count of the Mark and the Archbishop of Cologne. However, an economic decline was initiated. This process was continued and intensified by the Thirty Years' War and led to the city's decline, with the population falling to 4500 by 1793. Dortmund became an exclave of the Principality of Orange-Nassau. In 1808 Dortmund became part of the Napoleonic Grand Duchy of Berg. After the Prussian victory over Napoleon, Dortmund fell to the Prussian province of Westphalia in 1815. From the mid of 19th century, Dortmund's renewed rise and transformation into an industrial city began due to coal mining and steel processing. Since the opening of the railroad in 1847, Dortmund became a transportation hub in the Ruhr region. Another contribution to development came in 1899 with the opening of the Dortmund-Ems Canal. This infrastructure paved Dortmund's way to becoming a major city. The city grew beyond the narrow confines of the medieval ramparts. By the outbreak of WWII, the townscape had changed from a farming town to a metropolitan appearance. During WWII, more than 100 air raids destroyed more than 90 percent of the city, including its historic churches. Reconstruction proceeded quickly, and by 1950 the city had 500,000 inhabitants. Today, with about 590,000 inhabitants, Dortmund is part of the "Ruhr district", a polycentric urban area. With a population of over 5 million, it is the largest urban area in Germany. - The Marienkirche (foreground) was built on the Hellweg, opposite St. Reinoldi. Historians assume that the visits of the emperors Frederick I Barbarossa and his successor Henry VI to the imperial palace Dortmund led to the construction of the Marienkirche. It was still called "Capella Regis" in the 13th century. It was erected between 1170 and 1200 in Romanesque style and is the oldest extant church in Dortmund's inner city] Around 1350, a choir in Gothic architecture was built. It served as a model for the Reinoldikirche. Since the Reformation, it has been a Lutheran parish church. The collapsing tower of St. Reinoldi (earthquake 1661) partially destroyed the Marienkirche. The restoration was initially not possible due to lack of funds. The church was considered a ruined building and was temporarily closed to the public. In 1805, the north tower had to be demolished. In 1828 the church had to be closed due to dilapidation, and in 1832 the south tower also threatened to collapse. The ruins of the church were to be demolished and released as a quarry. It was saved by the commitment of the Prussian King Frederick William IV after a visit to Dortmund in 1833. The church was almost completely destroyed by bombs in WWII. It was rebuilt, beginning right after the war and completed in 1959 It also serves as a concert venue for sacred music.

Local tradition knows that Dortmund was founded by Charlemagne in the course of the Saxon Wars. The first written mention of "Throtmanni" dates back to 882. In 1152, a court day was held in Dortmund under King Frederick Barbarossa. Craftsmen and merchants settled and so Dortmund developed into a city. A fire in 1232 almost completely destroyed the town. The fire also caused the loss of the town's archives and with them all documents from the time before the fire. Dortmund's privileges, which had been lost in the fire, were renewed by Frederick II in 1236. In 1293 the city was granted the brewing right and unprecedented development of the beer industry within the city began. In 1389, Dortmund survived the "Great Dortmund Feud" against the Count of the Mark and the Archbishop of Cologne. However, an economic decline was initiated. This process was continued and intensified by the Thirty Years' War and led to the city's decline, with the population falling to 4500 by 1793. Dortmund became an exclave of the Principality of Orange-Nassau. In 1808 Dortmund became part of the Napoleonic Grand Duchy of Berg. After the Prussian victory over Napoleon, Dortmund fell to the Prussian province of Westphalia in 1815. From the mid of 19th century, Dortmund's renewed rise and transformation into an industrial city began due to coal mining and steel processing. Since the opening of the railroad in 1847, Dortmund became a transportation hub in the Ruhr region. Another contribution to development came in 1899 with the opening of the Dortmund-Ems Canal. This infrastructure paved Dortmund's way to becoming a major city. The city grew beyond the narrow confines of the medieval ramparts. By the outbreak of WWII, the townscape had changed from a farming town to a metropolitan appearance. During WWII, more than 100 air raids destroyed more than 90 percent of the city, including its historic churches. Reconstruction proceeded quickly, and by 1950 the city had 500,000 inhabitants. Today, with about 590,000 inhabitants, Dortmund is part of the "Ruhr district", a polycentric urban area. With a population of over 5 million, it is the largest urban area in Germany. - The Marienkirche (foreground) was built on the Hellweg, opposite St. Reinoldi. Historians assume that the visits of the emperors Frederick I Barbarossa and his successor Henry VI to the imperial palace Dortmund led to the construction of the Marienkirche. It was still called "Capella Regis" in the 13th century. It was erected between 1170 and 1200 in Romanesque style and is the oldest extant church in Dortmund's inner city] Around 1350, a choir in Gothic architecture was built. It served as a model for the Reinoldikirche. Since the Reformation, it has been a Lutheran parish church. The collapsing tower of St. Reinoldi (earthquake 1661) partially destroyed the Marienkirche. The restoration was initially not possible due to lack of funds. The church was considered a ruined building and was temporarily closed to the public. In 1805, the north tower had to be demolished. In 1828 the church had to be closed due to dilapidation, and in 1832 the south tower also threatened to collapse. The ruins of the church were to be demolished and released as a quarry. It was saved by the commitment of the Prussian King Frederick William IV after a visit to Dortmund in 1833. The church was almost completely destroyed by bombs in WWII. It was rebuilt, beginning right after the war and completed in 1959 It also serves as a concert venue for sacred music.

Local tradition knows that Dortmund was founded by Charlemagne in the course of the Saxon Wars. The first written mention of "Throtmanni" dates back to 882. In 1152, a court day was held in Dortmund under King Frederick Barbarossa. Craftsmen and merchants settled and so Dortmund developed into a city. A fire in 1232 almost completely destroyed the town. The fire also caused the loss of the town's archives and with them all documents from the time before the fire. Dortmund's privileges, which had been lost in the fire, were renewed by Frederick II in 1236. In 1293 the city was granted the brewing right and unprecedented development of the beer industry within the city began. In 1389, Dortmund survived the "Great Dortmund Feud" against the Count of the Mark and the Archbishop of Cologne. However, an economic decline was initiated. This process was continued and intensified by the Thirty Years' War and led to the city's decline, with the population falling to 4500 by 1793. Dortmund became an exclave of the Principality of Orange-Nassau. In 1808 Dortmund became part of the Napoleonic Grand Duchy of Berg. After the Prussian victory over Napoleon, Dortmund fell to the Prussian province of Westphalia in 1815. From the mid of 19th century, Dortmund's renewed rise and transformation into an industrial city began due to coal mining and steel processing. Since the opening of the railroad in 1847, Dortmund became a transportation hub in the Ruhr region. Another contribution to development came in 1899 with the opening of the Dortmund-Ems Canal. This infrastructure paved Dortmund's way to becoming a major city. The city grew beyond the narrow confines of the medieval ramparts. By the outbreak of WWII, the townscape had changed from a farming town to a metropolitan appearance. During WWII, more than 100 air raids destroyed more than 90 percent of the city, including its historic churches. Reconstruction proceeded quickly, and by 1950 the city had 500,000 inhabitants. Today, with about 590,000 inhabitants, Dortmund is part of the "Ruhr district", a polycentric urban area. With a population of over 5 million, it is the largest urban area in Germany. - There is evidence of a palatine church from the Ottonian period, which was destroyed during war unrest around 1060 and then rebuilt with a new outer crypt to house the St. Reinoldus relics, which may have been brought to Dortmund in 1065. St. Reinholdus (aka "Renaud de Montauban") is since Dortmund´s patron saint This church was probably destroyed again during fighting between 1113 and 1115 and then rebuilt. The fire of 1232 destroyed the church a third time. It was built from 1250 to 1270 and is located at the crossing of the Hellweg (a historic trade route) and the historic road from Cologne to Bremen. From 1421 to 1450, the large council chancel was built. After its completion of the tower in 1454, it was 112 m tall and was referred to as the "Miracle of Westphalia". The furnishings of St. Reinoldi make it clear that an essential function of the building was the representation of Dortmund's imperial freedom. In 1562 the congregations of Dortmund confirmed their adoption of Lutheranism in St. Reinold's Church. In 1661, the tower collapsed after being damaged during an earthquake. The foundation for the new tower was laid in 1662, and the building was completed in 1701, with a baroque ornament on the top. The church was heavily damaged in WW II. The reconstruction, partly financed by donations, began in 1950 and lasted six years. In June 1956, consecration was celebrated in the rebuilt church. The large altarpiece was acquired around 1410/20 by Dortmund Hanseatic merchants for the high altar of St. Reinoldi. In the centrally elevated shrine is a carved Calvary surrounded by the twelve apostles. The wing interiors are painted with scenes from the life of Mary, the Passion of Christ, and Saints Catherine and Barbara.The retable, about whose production and acquisition there is no written evidence, belongs to the most valuable specimens of formerly extensive export production of Flemish and Brabant sculpture workshops from the first half of the 15th century. Since most of the retables were lost during the iconoclasms, only a few monuments from this early production phase exist.

Local tradition knows that Dortmund was founded by Charlemagne in the course of the Saxon Wars. The first written mention of "Throtmanni" dates back to 882. In 1152, a court day was held in Dortmund under King Frederick Barbarossa. Craftsmen and merchants settled and so Dortmund developed into city. A fire in 1232 almost completely destroyed the town. The fire also caused the loss of the town's archives and with them all documents from the time before the fire. Dortmund's privileges, which had been lost in the fire, were renewed by Frederick II in 1236. In 1293 the city was granted the brewing right and unprecedented development of the beer industry within the city began. In 1389, Dortmund survived the "Great Dortmund Feud" against the Count of the Mark and the Archbishop of Cologne. However, an economic decline was initiated. This process was continued and intensified by the Thirty Years' War and led to the city's decline, with the population falling to 4500 by 1793. Dortmund became an exclave of the Principality of Orange-Nassau. In 1808 Dortmund became part of the Napoleonic Grand Duchy of Berg. After the Prussian victory over Napoleon, Dortmund fell to the Prussian province of Westphalia in 1815. From the mid of 19th century, Dortmund's renewed rise and transformation into an industrial city began due to coal mining and steel processing. Since the opening of the railroad in 1847, Dortmund became a transportation hub in the Ruhr region. Another contribution to development came in 1899 with the opening of the Dortmund-Ems Canal. This infrastructure paved Dortmund's way to becoming a major city. The city grew beyond the narrow confines of the medieval ramparts. By the outbreak of WWII, the townscape had changed from a farming town to a metropolitan appearance. During WWII, more than 100 air raids destroyed more than 90 percent of the city, including its historic churches. Reconstruction proceeded quickly, and by 1950 the city had 500,000 inhabitants. Today, with about 590,000 inhabitants, Dortmund is part of the "Ruhr district", a polycentric urban area. With a population of over 5 million, it is the largest urban area in Germany. - There is evidence of a palatine church from the Ottonian period, which was destroyed during war unrest around 1060 and then rebuilt with a new outer crypt to house the St. Reinoldus relics, which may have been brought to Dortmund in 1065. St. Reinholdus (aka "Renaud de Montauban") is since Dortmund´s patron saint This church was probably destroyed again during fighting between 1113 and 1115 and then rebuilt. The fire of 1232 destroyed the church a third time. It was built from 1250 to 1270, and is located at the crossing of the Hellweg (a historic trade route) and the historic road from Cologne to Bremen. From 1421 to 1450, the large council chancel was built.. After its completion of the tower in 1454, it was 112 m tall and was referred to as the "Miracle of Westphalia". The furnishings of St. Reinoldi make it clear that an essential function of the building was the representation of Dortmund's imperial freedom. In 1562 the congregations of Dortmund confirmed their adoption of Lutheranism in St. Reinold's Church. In 1661, the tower collapsed after being damaged during an earthquake. The foundation for the new tower was laid in 1662, and the building was completed in 1701, with a baroque ornament on the top. The church was heavily damaged in WW II. The reconstruction, partly financed by donations, began in 1950 and lasted six years. In June 1956, consecration was celebrated in the rebuilt church. The statues of St. Reinoldi (left) and Charlemagne (right) flank the choir. Here a detail of Charlemagne.

Local tradition knows that Dortmund was founded by Charlemagne in the course of the Saxon Wars. The first written mention of "Throtmanni" dates back to 882. In 1152, a court day was held in Dortmund under King Frederick Barbarossa. Craftsmen and merchants settled and so Dortmund developed into city. A fire in 1232 almost completely destroyed the town. The fire also caused the loss of the town's archives and with them all documents from the time before the fire. Dortmund's privileges, which had been lost in the fire, were renewed by Frederick II in 1236. In 1293 the city was granted the brewing right and unprecedented development of the beer industry within the city began. In 1389, Dortmund survived the "Great Dortmund Feud" against the Count of the Mark and the Archbishop of Cologne. However, an economic decline was initiated. This process was continued and intensified by the Thirty Years' War and led to the city's decline, with the population falling to 4500 by 1793. Dortmund became an exclave of the Principality of Orange-Nassau. In 1808 Dortmund became part of the Napoleonic Grand Duchy of Berg. After the Prussian victory over Napoleon, Dortmund fell to the Prussian province of Westphalia in 1815. From the mid of 19th century, Dortmund's renewed rise and transformation into an industrial city began due to coal mining and steel processing. Since the opening of the railroad in 1847, Dortmund became a transportation hub in the Ruhr region. Another contribution to development came in 1899 with the opening of the Dortmund-Ems Canal. This infrastructure paved Dortmund's way to becoming a major city. The city grew beyond the narrow confines of the medieval ramparts. By the outbreak of WWII, the townscape had changed from a farming town to a metropolitan appearance. During WWII, more than 100 air raids destroyed more than 90 percent of the city, including its historic churches. Reconstruction proceeded quickly, and by 1950 the city had 500,000 inhabitants. Today, with about 590,000 inhabitants, Dortmund is part of the "Ruhr district", a polycentric urban area. With a population of over 5 million, it is the largest urban area in Germany. - There is evidence of a palatine church from the Ottonian period, which was destroyed during war unrest around 1060 and then rebuilt with a new outer crypt to house the St. Reinoldus relics, which may have been brought to Dortmund in 1065. St. Reinholdus (aka "Renaud de Montauban") is since Dortmund´s patron saint This church was probably destroyed again during fighting between 1113 and 1115 and then rebuilt. The fire of 1232 destroyed the church a third time. It was built from 1250 to 1270, and is located at the crossing of the Hellweg (a historic trade route) and the historic road from Cologne to Bremen. From 1421 to 1450, the large council chancel was built.. After its completion of the tower in 1454, it was 112 m tall and was referred to as the "Miracle of Westphalia". The furnishings of St. Reinoldi make it clear that an essential function of the building was the representation of Dortmund's imperial freedom. In 1562 the congregations of Dortmund confirmed their adoption of Lutheranism in St. Reinold's Church. In 1661, the tower collapsed after being damaged during an earthquake. The foundation for the new tower was laid in 1662, and the building was completed in 1701, with a baroque ornament on the top. The church was heavily damaged in WW II. The reconstruction, partly financed by donations, began in 1950 and lasted six years. In June 1956, consecration was celebrated in the rebuilt church. The statues of St. Reinoldi (left) and Charlemagne (right) flank the choir.

Local tradition knows that Dortmund was founded by Charlemagne in the course of the Saxon Wars. The first written mention of "Throtmanni" dates back to 882. In 1152, a court day was held in Dortmund under King Frederick Barbarossa. Craftsmen and merchants settled and so Dortmund developed into city. A fire in 1232 almost completely destroyed the town. The fire also caused the loss of the town's archives and with them all documents from the time before the fire. Dortmund's privileges, which had been lost in the fire, were renewed by Frederick II in 1236. In 1293 the city was granted the brewing right and unprecedented development of the beer industry within the city began. In 1389, Dortmund survived the "Great Dortmund Feud" against the Count of the Mark and the Archbishop of Cologne. However, an economic decline was initiated. This process was continued and intensified by the Thirty Years' War and led to the city's decline, with the population falling to 4500 by 1793. Dortmund became an exclave of the Principality of Orange-Nassau. In 1808 Dortmund became part of the Napoleonic Grand Duchy of Berg. After the Prussian victory over Napoleon, Dortmund fell to the Prussian province of Westphalia in 1815. From the mid of 19th century, Dortmund's renewed rise and transformation into an industrial city began due to coal mining and steel processing. Since the opening of the railroad in 1847, Dortmund became a transportation hub in the Ruhr region. Another contribution to development came in 1899 with the opening of the Dortmund-Ems Canal. This infrastructure paved Dortmund's way to becoming a major city. The city grew beyond the narrow confines of the medieval ramparts. By the outbreak of WWII, the townscape had changed from a farming town to a metropolitan appearance. During WWII, more than 100 air raids destroyed more than 90 percent of the city, including its historic churches. Reconstruction proceeded quickly, and by 1950 the city had 500,000 inhabitants. Today, with about 590,000 inhabitants, Dortmund is part of the "Ruhr district", a polycentric urban area. With a population of over 5 million, it is the largest urban area in Germany. - There is evidence of a palatine church from the Ottonian period, which was destroyed during war unrest around 1060 and then rebuilt with a new outer crypt to house the St. Reinoldus relics, which may have been brought to Dortmund in 1065. St. Reinholdus (aka "Renaud de Montauban") is since Dortmund´s patron saint This church was probably destroyed again during fighting between 1113 and 1115 and then rebuilt. The fire of 1232 destroyed the church a third time. It was built from 1250 to 1270, and is located at the crossing of the Hellweg (a historic trade route) and the historic road from Cologne to Bremen. From 1421 to 1450, the large council chancel was built.. After its completion of the tower in 1454, it was 112 m tall and was referred to as the "Miracle of Westphalia". The furnishings of St. Reinoldi make it clear that an essential function of the building was the representation of Dortmund's imperial freedom. In 1562 the congregations of Dortmund confirmed their adoption of Lutheranism in St. Reinold's Church. In 1661, the tower collapsed after being damaged during an earthquake. The foundation for the new tower was laid in 1662, and the building was completed in 1701, with a baroque ornament on the top. The church was heavily damaged in WW II. The reconstruction, partly financed by donations, began in 1950 and lasted six years. In June 1956, consecration was celebrated in the rebuilt church. The triumphal cross is dated to 1470/80.

Local tradition knows that Dortmund was founded by Charlemagne in the course of the Saxon Wars. The first written mention of "Throtmanni" dates back to 882. In 1152, a court day was held in Dortmund under King Frederick Barbarossa. Craftsmen and merchants settled and so Dortmund developed into city. A fire in 1232 almost completely destroyed the town. The fire also caused the loss of the town's archives and with them all documents from the time before the fire. Dortmund's privileges, which had been lost in the fire, were renewed by Frederick II in 1236. In 1293 the city was granted the brewing right and unprecedented development of the beer industry within the city began. In 1389, Dortmund survived the "Great Dortmund Feud" against the Count of the Mark and the Archbishop of Cologne. However, an economic decline was initiated. This process was continued and intensified by the Thirty Years' War and led to the city's decline, with the population falling to 4500 by 1793. Dortmund became an exclave of the Principality of Orange-Nassau. In 1808 Dortmund became part of the Napoleonic Grand Duchy of Berg. After the Prussian victory over Napoleon, Dortmund fell to the Prussian province of Westphalia in 1815. From the mid of 19th century, Dortmund's renewed rise and transformation into an industrial city began due to coal mining and steel processing. Since the opening of the railroad in 1847, Dortmund became a transportation hub in the Ruhr region. Another contribution to development came in 1899 with the opening of the Dortmund-Ems Canal. This infrastructure paved Dortmund's way to becoming a major city. The city grew beyond the narrow confines of the medieval ramparts. By the outbreak of WWII, the townscape had changed from a farming town to a metropolitan appearance. During WWII, more than 100 air raids destroyed more than 90 percent of the city, including its historic churches. Reconstruction proceeded quickly, and by 1950 the city had 500,000 inhabitants. Today, with about 590,000 inhabitants, Dortmund is part of the "Ruhr district", a polycentric urban area. With a population of over 5 million, it is the largest urban area in Germany. - There is evidence of a palatine church from the Ottonian period, which was destroyed during war unrest around 1060 and then rebuilt with a new outer crypt to house the St. Reinoldus relics, which may have been brought to Dortmund in 1065. St. Reinholdus (aka "Renaud de Montauban") is since Dortmund´s patron saint This church was probably destroyed again during fighting between 1113 and 1115 and then rebuilt. The fire of 1232 destroyed the church a third time. It was built from 1250 to 1270, and is located at the crossing of the Hellweg (a historic trade route) and the historic road from Cologne to Bremen. From 1421 to 1450, the large council chancel was built.. After its completion of the tower in 1454, it was 112 m tall and was referred to as the "Miracle of Westphalia". The furnishings of St. Reinoldi make it clear that an essential function of the building was the representation of Dortmund's imperial freedom. In 1562 the congregations of Dortmund confirmed their adoption of Lutheranism in St. Reinold's Church. In 1661, the tower collapsed after being damaged during an earthquake. The foundation for the new tower was laid in 1662, and the building was completed in 1701, with a baroque ornament on the top. The church was heavily damaged in WW II. The reconstruction, partly financed by donations, began in 1950 and lasted six years. In June 1956, consecration was celebrated in the rebuilt church.

Local tradition knows that Dortmund was founded by Charlemagne in the course of the Saxon Wars. The first written mention of "Throtmanni" dates back to 882. In 1152, a court day was held in Dortmund under King Frederick Barbarossa. Craftsmen and merchants settled and so Dortmund developed into city. A fire in 1232 almost completely destroyed the town. The fire also caused the loss of the town's archives and with them all documents from the time before the fire. Dortmund's privileges, which had been lost in the fire, were renewed by Frederick II in 1236. In 1293 the city was granted the brewing right and unprecedented development of the beer industry within the city began. In 1389, Dortmund survived the "Great Dortmund Feud" against the Count of the Mark and the Archbishop of Cologne. However, an economic decline was initiated. This process was continued and intensified by the Thirty Years' War and led to the city's decline, with the population falling to 4500 by 1793. Dortmund became an exclave of the Principality of Orange-Nassau. In 1808 Dortmund became part of the Napoleonic Grand Duchy of Berg. After the Prussian victory over Napoleon, Dortmund fell to the Prussian province of Westphalia in 1815. From the mid of 19th century, Dortmund's renewed rise and transformation into an industrial city began due to coal mining and steel processing. Since the opening of the railroad in 1847, Dortmund became a transportation hub in the Ruhr region. Another contribution to development came in 1899 with the opening of the Dortmund-Ems Canal. This infrastructure paved Dortmund's way to becoming a major city. The city grew beyond the narrow confines of the medieval ramparts. By the outbreak of WWII, the townscape had changed from a farming town to a metropolitan appearance. During WWII, more than 100 air raids destroyed more than 90 percent of the city, including its historic churches. Reconstruction proceeded quickly, and by 1950 the city had 500,000 inhabitants. Today, with about 590,000 inhabitants, Dortmund is part of the "Ruhr district", a polycentric urban area. With a population of over 5 million, it is the largest urban area in Germany. - There is evidence of a palatine church from the Ottonian period, which was destroyed during war unrest around 1060 and then rebuilt with a new outer crypt to house the St. Reinoldus relics, which may have been brought to Dortmund in 1065. St. Reinholdus (aka "Renaud de Montauban") is since Dortmund´s patron saint This church was probably destroyed again during fighting between 1113 and 1115 and then rebuilt. The fire of 1232 destroyed the church a third time. It was built from 1250 to 1270, and is located at the crossing of the Hellweg (a historic trade route) and the historic road from Cologne to Bremen. From 1421 to 1450, the large council chancel was built.. After its completion of the tower in 1454, it was 112 m tall and was referred to as the "Miracle of Westphalia". The furnishings of St. Reinoldi make it clear that an essential function of the building was the representation of Dortmund's imperial freedom. In 1562 the congregations of Dortmund confirmed their adoption of Lutheranism in St. Reinold's Church. In 1661, the tower collapsed after being damaged during an earthquake. The foundation for the new tower was laid in 1662, and the building was completed in 1701, with a baroque ornament on the top. The church was heavily damaged in WW II. The reconstruction, partly financed by donations, began in 1950 and lasted six years. In June 1956, consecration was celebrated in the rebuilt church.

The parish church St. Andreas in Ostönnen, a village 8kms west of Soest, has an intact romanesque layout. Remarkable is the bell-tower with it´s many windows. Within the church is one of the oldest organs, still in use. Parts of the organ date back to the 14th century. It may even be the oldest still existing instrument worldwide. Here is an article about it (in German): www.lwl.org/pressemitteilungen/mitteilung.php?urlID=13784... Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6xVvWvK-5I

The romanesque crypt, destroyed (blown up!) after the secularisation (to have an even floor in the nave), was reconstructed after WWII, when the church got "rebuilt", after severe damages due to bombs, that had hit the church.

The baptsimal-font on the right - and a fight between a lion and a crocodil-like beast left on the bottom of the pillar. The right animal is clearly a lion, as it as a lion-tail, seen from the other side. The otherone has a totally different tail. More like a croc. The head of the beast is similar to thatones on the central pillar in the Freising-crypt.

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.

Another view onto the bell-tower of St. Patrokli cathedral. Soest was a really wealthy place in medieval times. They could not only afford such a cathedral (and other churches), but as well the pretty city-hall, seen to the left.

The central nave in St. Patrokli chatedral. It was a collegiate church, for an adjoining abbey. Later a choir screen divided the church into a "parish part" before the screen - and the monk´s part behind. - When 1531 Soest welcomed the Reformation all churches changed from catholic to protestant rits - all but the part behind the screen. Over years, the forground "was" protestant - the background "was" catholic. The secularisation of the 19th century changed that. First thing the parish-officials did was to quarry out the elvated choir - and so destroying the crypt, that meanwhile got reconstructed.