- 1 St. Patrokli, Domplatz (next to Town Hall), ☏ +49 2921 6710660. Daily from 10:00 to 17:30. During Christmas market: on all Advent weekends (Sa Su) 12:00-14:00. The mighty tower of St. Patrokli is one of the town's landmarks. The Romanesque building was built as a collegiate church after 965. In the cathedral museum in the westwork, one can admire the "Root of Jesse" window, depicting the descent of Jesus. Also worth seeing is the apse painting from 1200 in the Marienchor. St. Patrokli is still considered to be the most extensive of its kind in Westphalia. In the Middle Ages, the 77-m-high westwork used to preserve the armory of the city. Even though St. Patrokli is called the Dom (German for "cathedral"), it has never been a bishop's church. The Cathedral Museum is open by appointment. (updated Nov 2019)
- 2 St. Petri, Petrikirchhof 10 (opposite St. Patrokli). Tu-F 09:30-17:30, Sa 09:30 - 16:30, Su 14:00 - 17:30. The "Alden Kerke", the oldest church foundation in Westphalia. The oldest part of the building dates from the 8th century, but can no longer be identified. The chancel dates from 1277 and is of Gothic origin, while the spire carries typical Baroque features. The emperor's loft from 1200 in the nave is testimony to important guests who used to stay in Soest in the past. (updated Nov 2019)
- 3 St. Maria zur Wiese (St Mary on the meadow), Wiesenstraße 26. Apr - Sep: M-Sa 11:00-18:00, Su 12:00-18:00; Oct - Mar: M - Sa 11:00-16:00, Su 12:00-16:00. In the north of the old town, the towers of St. Maria zur Wiese ("Wiesenkirche") rise up into the sky. Built in 1313, it is one of the most beautiful late-Gothic hall churches in Germany. The towers, however, were not completed until 1882. Historically and culturally speaking, it may be called a "little sister" of the Cologne cathedral. In addition to important panel paintings from the 14th and 16h centuries, St. Maria zur Wiese houses the "Westphalian Supper" window on the north portal. This painting, created around 1500 by an unknown artist, is particularly fascinating, as it shows Jesus at the sacrament with his disciples. However, instead of a Near Eastern meal, they feast on Westphalian ham, beer and pumpernickel bread. (updated Nov 2019)
- 4 St. Maria zur Höhe (St Mary on the hill), Am Hohnekirchhof 3 (200 m east of St. Maria zur Wiese via Wiesenstraße and Hohe Gasse). Apr - Sep: M-Sa 10:00-17:30, Su 12:00-17:30; Oct - Mar: M-Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 12:00-16:00. St. Maria zur Höhe ("Hohnekirche") was built around 1220. It boasts a magnificent ceiling and wall paintings. The Byzantine influence is most evident in the ceiling painting in the main choir, the "Engelreigen" (Circle of Angels). (updated Nov 2019)
