Liebfrauenkirche, Trier 
View of the Liebfrauenkirche (left) and Aachen Cathedral (right) from
the Liebfrauenkirche's pretty Gothic cloisters.
View from the cloisters on a snowy December day.
In the cloisters of the Liebfrauenkirche.
Sculptures in the cloisters.
Burial area off the cloisters.
The Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Dear Lady) is a 13th-century parish church in Trier, separated from Trier cathedral by a narrow passageway. Built in the Gothic style, it makes an attractive foil to its older Romanesque neighbor.
History
The Liebfrauenkirche was constructed over the southern section of the Roman double church by Archbishop Theoderich von Wied. Completed in 1260, it was one of the first Gothic churches in Germany (its only competitor for the title is the Elisabethkirche in Marburg).
In 1951, the Pope designated the church a Minor Basilica, and in 1986 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
What to See
The Liebfrauenkirche is in the shape of a Greek cross, creating a circular effect with all points equidistant from the central high altar. The structure is supported by 12 circular columns, rather than the typical open buttresses.
The floor plan resembles a twelve-petaled rose, a symbol of the Virgin Mary, the rosa mystica, as well as the twelve tribes of Israel and the Twelve Apostles. The apostles and the twelve articles of the Apostle's Creed are painted on the twelve supporting columns, completely visible only from one spot, marked by a black stone. The intriguing optics are matched by splendid acoustics.
The interior is bathed in sunlight, which streams through the high windows. Although its restoration after the war changed some of the effect of the central construction, it's still unique among German churches. The church contains several important tombs, including that of a local nobleman, Karl von Metternich (1636), in the northeast chapel.
Behind the church are lovely cloisters with sculptures and tombs.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Liebfrauenkirche; Church of Our Dear Lady; Church of Our Lady |
| Type of site: | Parish church |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Dates: | 1260 |
| Architecture: | Gothic |
| Address: | Liebfrauenstrasse 2, Trier, Germany (see city map) |
| Phone: | 0651/75-801 |
| Hours: | Mar-Oct daily 6:30am-noon and 2-6pm; Nov-Feb daily 6:30am-5:30pm |
| Cost: | Free |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Liebfrauenkirche. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Trier Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Related Travel Resources
- Trier Hotel Reviews - ratings and reviews from fellow travelers
- Trier Travel Forum - tips and advice about Trier tourism
- Trier Car Rentals - check availability and rates at AutoEurope
- Germany Rail Passes - money-saving options for train travel
Sources
- Personal visits (exterior only; December 2005 and January 2008).
- "Trier Attractions." Frommer's Germany 2006 (Dec. 2005)
- Liebfrauenkirche (Trier) - German Wikipedia
- DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Germany (2003), 326.
More Information
- Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady - UNESCO World Heritage
