Bonn Minster

The Bonn Minster (German: Bonner Münster) is a Roman Catholic church in Bonn. It is one of Germany's oldest churches, having been built between the 11th and 13th centuries. At one point the church served as the cathedral for the Archbishopric of Cologne. However, the Minster is now a minor basilica.

Minster of St. Martin's
The Bonn Minster
Basic information
Location	Bonn, Germany
Geographic coordinates	50.7333°N 7.1°E
Affiliation	Roman Catholic
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Papal basilica minor
Website	Website
Architectural description
Architectural type	minster
Architectural style	Romanesque architecture
Direction of façade	East, Slightly Southeast
Specifications
Height (max)	81.4 meters
Dome(s)	None
Spire(s)	Five

History

Cassius and Florentius

File:Cassius florentius muenster bonn 20080509.jpg

Sculptures depicting the heads of Saints Cassius & Florentius in front of the Bonn Minster.

view longhouse

File:Bonner Muenster 2010 01 03 a.jpg

winter view

Originally the Minster was the collegiate church of Saints Cassius and Florentius, who were Roman legionaries of the legendary all-Christian Theban Legion. The legion's garrison, according to legend, was in the Egyptian town of Thebes. Roman Emperor Maximianus Herculius ordered the legion to march to Gaul and assist in subduing rebels from Burgundy. At some point during their march, the legion refused to follow the emperor's orders either to kill fellow Christians or to worship Maximianus Herculius as a god. As a result, a large number of legionaries were martyred in Agaunum, now named Saint Maurice-en-Valais after Saint Maurice. According to legend, Saints Cassius and Florentius, who were under the command of Saint Gereon, were beheaded for their religious beliefs at the present location of the Bonn Minster.

See also

• List of basilica churches in Germany