Six extraordinary churches in Düsseldorf

Silent night with a difference

Have you also made a firm resolution to really enjoy the pre-Christmas period this year, without any stress? Then we have the perfect program for you: a tour of the most beautiful and spectacular churches in Düsseldorf. Meditative tranquillity, impressive architecture, art-historical treasures, particularly atmospheric events: These six churches make Advent unforgettable. By the way: did you know that the IDO, the International Düsseldorf Organ Festival, takes place in Düsseldorf every year? A wonderful opportunity to get to know the one or other church that you have passed by so far.

St. Lambert's Basilica

Church and funfair? How do they go together? Well in Düsseldorf, of course. The parish altar of the Catholic St. Lambertus Church houses the relics of the city's patron saint, St. Apollinaris. And his memorial day is the original reason for the Düsseldorf funfair - which is known to be sacred to the party-loving people of Düsseldorf. But there is another rather unorthodox reason to visit the imposing three-aisled hall basilica: after a fire in 1815, the church tower had to be replaced. A short time later, the wood warped and created the famous twist in the roof. According to popular belief, it will only straighten out again when a virgin gets married in the Lambertus church. This event is obviously a long time coming, but so far everything is still crooked. A tip for art lovers: the west portal from the 1950s is the work of sculptor and Beuys teacher Ewald Mataré.

St. Andrew's Church

Outside, life in the old town is raging, inside there is devout silence. Nowhere else in Düsseldorf can you experience the city's proverbial joie de vivre and cultural and historical treasures in such close proximity. The Catholic Church of St. Andrew is considered a masterpiece of the late German Renaissance and early Baroque. Let yourself be captivated by the magnificent interior of the former court and Jesuit church, the ornate stucco, the impressive frescoes and the 17th century wooden carved pulpit. And don't forget to pay a visit to Jan Wellem, whose mausoleum is located on the north side. The famous elector shaped Düsseldorf like no other and transformed the city into one of the cultural centers of Europe. 

Berger Church

Old church, new art. The well-known Frankfurt artist Tobias Rehberger has given the small hall church a spectacular interior with geometrically patterned, color-graded wall hangings and a white acrylic glass altar. Rehberger's light and color installations create a changing atmosphere in the bright, simple church, which is considered an insider tip by some. The Berger church is somewhat hidden in a backyard of the old town. The reason? This was the first Lutheran church in the city, and in 1687, the year of its consecration, Lutherans were only tolerated in re-Catholicized Düsseldorf. At that time, they were only allowed to erect their new buildings in the courtyards. Today, the Berger Church is not only an oasis of peace, but also a place of pilgrimage for lovers of contemporary art. A nice contrasting program: After going to church, you can plunge into the hustle and bustle of the Uerige brewery, which is just a few steps away from the church, for an Altbier.  

St. John's Church

The liberation! The Johanneskirche on Martin-Luther-Platz is the largest Protestant church in Düsseldorf and the first that was allowed to be built freely on a square. The era of hidden Lutheran court churches was finally over in 1881. Even today, the imposing red brick building in the round arch style stands for future orientation. St. John's Church has been a Protestant meeting place since 1995, and since then culture, faith and diaconal and social services have formed a convincing unity here. A varied program is offered under the heading 'Church in the City'. From 10-minute devotions to electronic concerts. Our tip: The Lunch Time Organ invites you to enjoy half an hour of organ music every Wednesday from 12.30 pm. For lunch afterwards, we recommend stopping off at Wilma Wunder, whose restaurant is located in the new gastro pavilion on Martin-Luther-Platz.

Basilica of St. Margaret

A journey through time in terms of art and cultural history: As early as the 9th century, the Frankish knight Gerricus, who gave his name to the Gerresheim district, founded a monastery on the current site of St. Margareta. However, the nobleman is said to have run out of money to build the church, so legend has it that the devil himself offered to help. Gerricus hesitated, and so the two decided to jump from the tower in a competition. The devil lost, the building was completed and consecrated in 1236. In today's pillar basilica of St. Margareta, even ordinary mortals can immerse themselves in the richness of form and color of the late Rhenish Romanesque period. The 'Gerresheimer Gnadenstuhl' in the center of the vault, a depiction of the Trinity, is considered the earliest in German monumental painting. The larger-than-life Ottonian cross behind the altar dates back to the previous building from the 10th century. The day is rounded off with a stroll through the quaint town center of Gerresheim, followed by an onion tart at Mr. Knillmann's on the Alter Markt. Hiking enthusiasts can set off from here into the hilly forests of the surrounding area, for example into the Rotthäuser Bachtal valley.

Bunker church St. Sacrament

As sure as the Amen in church. Not only is faith firmly anchored in the Heerdt bunker, but the building itself is also indestructible. Under the peace motto from Isaiah 'Swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning knives', the unique war witness made of brutalist concrete has become a symbol of peace and community through its conversion. The meeting place of the parish of St. Sacrament was consecrated in 1949, and since 2016 the bunker church has been used as a Coptic place of worship, as well as for events and exhibitions. The church, now a listed memorial and art venue in one, is particularly spectacular from the outside. It is best photographed at night, when the parking lot is empty and the illuminated bell tower rises into the dark sky.

Cover picture: Düsseldorf Tourismus