St. Johann

The Church of St. Katharinen was founded in the 13th century. The present building was constructed from about 1300 to 1500, with several interruptions. The church, which has been Protestant since 1543, was used by the Swedish legation to hold church services and meetings during the peace negotiations of the Thirty Years' War from 1643 to 1648. The proximity of the castle, built from 1669 as the residence of the Prince-Bishops of Osnabrück, made St. Katharinen a court church. Towards the end of the Second World War, St. Katharinen's fell victim to fire during the last of the air raids on Osnabrück on 25 March 1945. The church was rededicated in 1950. In 1990 it had to be closed for basic repairs to the interior. After extensive renovation work, the church was reopened in November 1992.

Osnabrück Cathedral was founded in 785, fifteen years after Charlemagne founded the bishopric. After its destruction by the Normans in 890, it was restored. The damage caused by fire in 1254 required considerable repairs, the vault of the passage was rebuilt and the pillars of the passage were reinforced. The rectangular choir begun later was completed in 1270, and the new high altar was consecrated in 1277. However, the ambulatory and the Lady Chapel were not added until 150 years later, between 1434 and 1444. Between 1454 and 1482, Bishop Konrad III had the entire building renovated. Until around 1500, the cathedral had two Western Romanesque towers of the same size. From 1509 to 1544, the south tower was replaced by the larger Gothic tower of today, which was given a high pyramidal pointed roof. Alexander Behnes, who was responsible for the preservation of the building from 1882 to 1910, made several modifications and additions.

This church began its construction in the 13th century, at the foot of the Sparrenburg fortress. The church gained its final appearance in the 15th century and is most noted by its two 78 meter tall gothic spires. These spires were replaced after the originals were destroyed in the Second World War. The church houses a 15th-century altarpiece done by an unknown artist that is considered one of the most valuable pieces of medieval art in Germany; two of its fragments are kept in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.