St. Severin, Cologne

St. Severin, a superb example of late-Gothic Romanesque style grew from a small, poor church built in the middle of a Roman burial ground. A more imposing building was constructed in the 10th century, and underwent repeated minor alteration until the mid-sixteenth century. In the choir (around 1237) is the shrine to the canonized Cologne bishop Severinus, who, according to legend, performed various miraculous deeds. He was canonized and is also called Saint Severin. The bones of the saint are also said to have lain in the church since the year 1948. It was the custom in the Middle Ages to touch the coffin with the end of a piece of cloth, which could then be taken home as a relic in its own right.

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