Sint-Christoffelkathedraal

Sint-Christoffelkathedraal
Grote Kerkstraat 29
6041 CR
Roermond
The Sint-Christoffelkathedraal towers high above Roermond city centre
Inside Sint-Christoffelkathedraal with the pews and stained-glass windows
The golden statue of St Christopher on the tower spire of the Cathedral in Roermond

Church

Places of interest

Thee Sint-Christoffelkathedraal is a Gothic cross basilica dating from the year 1410. It is the cathedral of the diocese of Roermond.

Cathedral of the diocese

Roermond has been an episcopal city since 1559, a welcome development after the city suffered a fierce urban fire. The cathedral houses the seat (cathedra) of the bishop of Roermond. In the past, Roermond had been capital of the Overkwartier Gelre. The original parish church ended up outside the fortress walls. It was therefore decided to build a new, larger church within the walls. Originally, the church was built in the shape of a Greek cross with four arms of equal lengths. Over the centuries, the church was extended many times to its present form: a five-aisled basic nave with built-in west tower. In the 16th century, people wanted to turn the whole church into a hall church by extending the three equally high choirs into the naves. This can best be seen in the eastern transept.

The eventful past of Sint-Christoffelkathedraal

The past of St Christopher's Cathedral is rather turbulent, to say the least. Various disasters, including a city fire, the iconoclasm, looting by William of Orange's troops, lightning strikes and storms caused the church to suffer regularly. But the church and tower were also destroyed many times due to its strategic location. The heaviest destruction suffered on 28 February 1945. The Germans blew up the tower to prevent English troops from using it as an observation post. The church was left as a ruin. One day later, Roermond was liberated. It was not until 1957 that the rebuilding of the church was completed.

The cathedral tower and 'Sjtuf'

Since 1957, the 86-metre-high cathedral tower has featured the golden statue of Saint Christopher with Jesus on his shoulders (affectionately known as 'Sjtuf'). The statue is extra special for the city, as it literally carries the inhabitants of Roermond with it: when the statue was hoisted, they were given the chance to write their names on a roll of parchment that was put in a tube of the statue. The cathedral tower is open for a climb every first Saturday of the month at 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm from April to October.

Hart van Limburg's city guides provide walks in Roermond for groups by appointment which can include tours of the cathedral.

Opening hours

Day Time slot Comment
Sunday: 14:00 - 17:00
Monday: 14:00 - 17:00
Tuesday: 14:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: 14:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 14:00 - 17:00
Friday: 14:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 14:00 - 17:00

The Sint-Christoffelkathedraal is closed on 1 January and the three Carnival days.

Nearby

The distances mentioned below are the distances from the location above.

 
0,11km
Cycle route
 
0,11km
Restaurant
 
 
0,12km
Walking/hiking routes
 
0,13km
Restaurant
 
0,13km
Restaurant
 
0,14km
Café or pub
 
0,16km
Restaurant
 
0,18km
Lunchroom
 
0,21km
Restaurant
 
0,23km
Lunchroom
 
0,23km
Restaurant
 
0,39km
Lunchroom
 
0,39km
Restaurant
 
0,40km
Restaurant
 
0,40km
Restaurant
 
0,47km
Restaurant
 
0,60km
Restaurant
 
0,66km
Lunchroom
 
0,67km
Restaurant
 
0,74km
Restaurant
 
0,83km
Restaurant
 
0,97km
Restaurant
 
 
1,72km
Restaurant
 
1,96km
Walking/hiking routes
 
2,36km
Restaurant
 
2,48km
Restaurant
 
2,73km
Walking/hiking routes
 
2,79km
Lunchroom
 
2,88km
Walking/hiking routes
 
3,00km
Walking/hiking routes
 
3,86km
Restaurant
 
3,86km
Walking/hiking routes
 
3,87km
Lunchroom
 
3,87km
Walking/hiking routes
 
3,91km
Walking/hiking routes
 
4,15km
Walking/hiking routes
 
4,50km
Restaurant
 
4,74km
Walking/hiking routes
 
4,83km
Walking/hiking routes
 
5,05km
Restaurant
 
5,23km
Walking/hiking routes