Basilica St. Martin

Tombstones indicate that there was already a Christian community in Bingen in the 5th or 6th century. Probably during the Frankish period, the parish church was dedicated to Saint Martin. Since 1006, St. Martin has also been documented as a collegiate church, where twelve clergymen served under the leadership of a provost. Only the crypt beneath the choir and the southwest tower remain as evidence of the Romanesque church building. After the great city fire of 1403, the current nave was initially rebuilt. The side aisles were only added later, with the northern one being replaced by a double-aisled hall with a star vault between 1502 and 1505. This so-called Barbara building was separated from the other parts reserved for the canons, serving as the actual parish church. In 1817/18, the collegiate buildings and cloister in front of the west portal were demolished, creating the current forecourt towards the Nahe river. In 1885, a careful restoration of the church was carried out by Max Meckel, the creator of the Rochus Chapel (construction of side chapels and sacristy; tracery galleries on the towers). Elevated to a basilica by Pope Pius XI in 1930, the church largely fell victim to bombing during World War II in 1944. After reconstruction, a comprehensive renovation took place from 1981 to 1988. On April 1, 1930, Pope Pius XI granted St. Martin the title of papal basilica. After the bombing in 1944, the vault of the main nave and part of the high altar collapsed. Today, visitors can once again expect a house of worship of exceptional beauty.