Standing tall and majestic in the heart of Rheine-Eschendorf, the St.-Antonius-Basilika is a beacon of neo-Romanesque architecture and a testament to the rich cultural and religious heritage of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. This awe-inspiring basilica, dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, was constructed between 1899 and 1905 and is considered one of the most significant church buildings from the late Historicism period in Germany.
The St.-Antonius-Basilika was designed by the renowned German-Dutch architect Franz Klomp, who drew inspiration from the Romanesque imperial cathedrals of Hildesheim, specifically St. Michael and St. Godehard. The basilica’s design also reflects elements from the Paderborn Cathedral, particularly in its imposing west tower, which stands as the tallest church tower in the Münsterland region at a staggering height of 102.5 meters.
Located to the right of the Ems River along Osnabrücker Straße, the basilica serves as the parish church for the Catholic community of St. Antonius in Rheine. With its grand dimensions—90 meters in length and 39 meters in width—it is the largest place of worship in the city and a dominant feature of the local skyline.
The basilica’s three-aisled structure is characterized by a wooden flat ceiling, an eastern and a western transept, two crossing towers, four flanking towers, and two choirs. The basilica's architectural elements, including the side aisles and the clerestory windows, fulfill the criteria for its classification as a basilica. The intricate design and the sheer scale of the structure make it a masterpiece of neo-Romanesque architecture.
The west tower is particularly notable for its height and design, surpassing other significant church towers in the region, such as St. Lamberti in Münster and St. Ludgerus in Billerbeck. At the four corners of the crossing tower, visitors can find statues representing prominent figures from Rheine’s history, including Charlemagne, Bishop Ludwig II, Bishop Christoph Bernhard von Galen, and Johannes von Grüter, a local magistrate from the 15th century.
Inside the basilica, the predominantly white interior is accentuated by alternating red and gray arches and columns. The high altar, crafted between 1925 and 1929 in the workshop of Ferdinand Langenberg, is a focal point in the eastern choir. This magnificent altar is adorned with scenes from the Passion of Christ and the Pentecost, crowned by an image of the Crucified Christ.
The side altars present an interesting juxtaposition, with the Marian altar located at the eastern end of the southern aisle, traditionally reserved for men, and the Joseph altar in the northern aisle, historically the women's section. Another striking feature is the Christ the King painting in the apse, created by artist Peter Hecker from Cologne. Originally intended to be a mosaic, the painting incorporates some mosaic elements, adding to its unique charm.
One of the basilica’s hidden gems is the crypt beneath the choir, designed by Friedrich Stummel. The crypt, reminiscent of Roman catacombs, houses a museum with a vast collection of liturgical items, textiles, and documents detailing the church’s construction history. It also contains the tomb of Dechant Bernhard Pietz, the basilica’s builder, who was secretly honored by the craftsmen with a resting place within the church.
The baptismal chapel in the west choir, decorated by Karl Wenzel, a student of Stummel, features a richly detailed baptismal font with a Byzantine-style bronze cover. This font, created in 1920 by architect Josef Franke, rests on eight spherical feet and is adorned with intricate reliefs.
The basilica’s bells, cast in steel by the Buderus foundry in Wetzlar, are an exception in the region where bronze bells are the norm. The seven bells, named after their donors, were installed in 1919 and consecrated in 1921. Despite the steel composition, the bells produce a harmonious and full sound, thanks to their bronze clappers.
The church’s organ has undergone several transformations since the initial installation in 1906. The current organ, built by G. Christian Lobback in 1984, boasts 54 registers and is located on the west gallery. This instrument continues to enrich the liturgical and musical life of the basilica.
The St.-Antonius-Basilika is also renowned for its elaborate Christmas crèche, which has been displayed annually in the crypt since 1981. This extensive nativity scene features over a hundred figures and depicts various biblical events, not just the birth of Christ. The crèche, with its historical figures from the 19th century, attracts visitors from far and wide during the festive season.
In conclusion, the St.-Antonius-Basilika is more than just a place of worship; it is a monumental testament to the architectural brilliance and historical significance of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or a spiritual seeker, a visit to this magnificent basilica in Rheine is an unforgettable experience that offers a deep dive into the rich cultural tapestry of the region.
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