St. Matthias

St. Matthias is a Benedictine monastery in Germany, built over the graves of bishops Eucharius and Valerius. Its crypt preserves their sarcophagi beneath the church. During building work, monks discovered relics believed to belong to the apostle Matthias, whose tomb draws pilgrims. The basilica became a major pilgrimage site for visitors and worshippers.

Its west front combines Baroque decoration with a strong Romanesque structure and later Classicist details. The exterior shows several distinct architectural layers. Inside, the three-aisled basilica has a long nave and a stone star vault with diamond-shaped patterns. The stone vault resembles branches rising overhead.

Shields from pilgrimages and saintly effigies mark the interior, while the crypt holds the tomb of Matthias. The crypt also contains the resting places of Eucharius and Valerius. St. Matthias remains an active monastery and a place of faith and community. Its architecture preserves Romanesque stonework, Baroque ornament, and Classicist additions within one building. The site is wheelchair accessible.