City of Worms disputes with Trier the rights to be oldest city in Germany. Also city is connected with legendary Nibelungs who, according the legend, hid their treasures somewhere at these places. Like others cities in Germany, in the Middle Ages Worms had status of “free city” with direct obedience to the Emperor of Holy Empire. City was located at the crossroad of trade roads and most of its income was generated from the trade.
Here also was located the Reich’s Parliament and more than 100 sessions took their place in Worms. Worms had the name of “Mutter der Reichstage” (mother of Parliament).
Most famous session of Reich’s Parliament was in 1521 when deputies discussed the teachings of Martin Luther King. Despite the fact that Emperor promised integrity to the Martin he decided not to be at the session and has been hidden in remote castle. Deputies condemned his teaching but all the same it became widely spread in Germany and Europe.
In the era of the Reformation Worms still was the big and rich trade city. But after the The Thirty Years War city began to decline and in 1689 it was almost totally destroyed by the troops of Louis XIV.
But thanks to the architect Karl Hofmann, who built a lot in Worms and even introduced in the city the “style of Nibelungs”, Worms is a one of a most attractive cities of Western Germany.
One of the main sights of Worms - is a St Peter Cathedral which has been built in first quarter of 18 century and which together with Cathedrals in Mainz and Speyer is largest Romanesque church in Germany. Cathedral of Worms has two domes and four towers which dominate over the city. It’s good visible from any point of historic center and you can always correct your location with it.
The interior of Cathedral is plain like others interiors in Germany. In general, it was decorated in modern times but you can see some things, like altar, which were made earlier.
Next to the Cathedral located the city’s Market Place (Marktplatz) where you can see magnificent church of the Holy Trinity (Dreifaltigkeitskirche) which originates from the 1725.
Another interesting church in Worms – is St Paul construction of which started in 12 century and was finished only six centuries after. Inside of this church you can see murals of 13th century. Next to it you can see Red House (Rotes House); medieval residential house in the city.
In the western part of the historical center you can visit oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe with tombs of 11th and 12th Centuries.
And of course do not miss Church of Our Dear Lady (Liebfrauenkirche) part of which originates from 800AD what makes the church the oldest building in Worms.
