Photo: architectural monuments, Church of Our Savior , North Rhine-Westphalia

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Church of Our Savior - Oldest Temple of the City

Architectural Monuments

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The Church of Our Savior (Salvatorkirche) - the oldest temple of the city- is located in the center of Duisburg. Its history can be traced back to the IX century: the wooden chapel standing on this site was mentioned already in sources dating to 893 AD. The construction of the present church began in 1316. Judging from the accounts in the city archives, the Teutonic Order became the initiator of the construction.

First of all, the 106m-high bell tower of the Church of Our Savior was built, which was used as a watchtower for some time. Its completion dates back to 1415. The majestic building of the church remained the tallest in Duisburg for a long time. Dutchman Johannes Corputius used the tower of the Church of Our Savior as a viewing point when drawing the plan of Duisburg in 1563. The temple reached us not in its original form: several large-scale fires were the reason for its repeated reconstruction. World War II also left its mark on it. The restoration of the church took 15 years after the war ended. Some elements, such as the neo-Gothic spire that can be seen in the pre-war postcards and photographs were never restored.

But even without it, the Church of Our Savior is one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Duisburg. Inside the church is the tomb of the great geographer and cartographer Gerard Mercator. The preserved elements of the medieval decorations include the Gothic tabernacle and baptismal font of the XV century, as well as the pulpit of the XVI century in the Renaissance style. Be sure to pay attention to the colorful stained-glass windows, created after the war by German and Israeli artists. In 2002 a beautiful new organ from the Swiss Kuhn company was installed at the church.

Church of Our Savior - Oldest Temple of the City

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