St. Cäcilien (St. Cecilia's Church), Cologne

Saint Cecilia's Church is one of the twelve Romanesque churches in Cologne's old city. The church, maintained by the Foundation of Romanesque Churches in Cologne, has remained almost unchanged since its inception, which dates back to 1130-60.

The church has a simple three-aisled floor plan without towers or transepts. The southernmost aisle and the center of the nave end in a rounded apse. Meanwhile, the northern aisle ends in an apse that was built in 1479 and is currently used as a sacristy.

The church's middle aisle features frescoes on the upper choir, which were damaged during World War II. Although they are difficult to see clearly, the original arched wooden roof still remains. The tympanum, which dates back to 1160, is part of the museum's collection and can be viewed from the north entrance.

The history of the Saint Cecilia's Church dates back to the 9th century when a women's home of the same name was founded on the site during the reign of Archbishop Willibert in 870-888. The original church was built on the ruins of a prior Roman bath. The church was later renovated in the 12th century to suit a Romanesque style.

In the late 15th century, the church's interior was renovated using resources originally designated for another church. During the 19th century, the main entrance was changed and given a new entry in the Neo-Romantic style. Although it remains on site, it is now walled up to accommodate the Schnütgen Museum, which is currently housed in the church.

For a time, the Saint Cecilia's Church was also adjacent to the first hospital in Cologne, where it served as a chapel. The hospital is no longer present, and the church now stands next to the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum.

Although the church is now mainly used as a museum of medieval art, it still celebrates two masses each year, one at Christmas and the other on the feast day of Saint Cecilia.