St. Patrokli provost church

The former Stiftskirche and today's provost church of St. Patrokli, also known as the "cathedral" in Soest, still impressively dominates the center of Soest's Altstadt together with St. Peter's Church. In 965, Bruno, Archbishop of Cologne, decreed the foundation of a collegiate foundation in his will. He had already had the relics of St. Patroclus of Troyes transferred to Soest. The church, the cloister, the remter and several collegiate curia are still preserved from the original monastery. Today's provost church is a three-aisled pillar basilica from the 11th and 12th centuries. The construction sequence was clarified by excavations in the 1970s. The main consecration was carried out on July 5, 1166 by Archbishop Rainald von Dassel of Cologne. Particularly impressive is the mighty westwork with its massive tower, which is also known as the "Tower of Westfalen". This monument of European standing, including the spire, dates from the 12th and 13th centuries.

The interior of the church is impressive for its simple austerity and monumentality. Unfortunately, the precious old shrine from 1313 was sold to the Royal Mint in Berlin for 3000 thalers in 1848 "in times of great need" and melted down.The current reliquary was built in 1871. The "Westfalen Nativity Scene" is particularly worth seeing at Christmas time. The Christmas story is depicted here in a Westfalen landscape.