St. Foillan’s Church, Aachen

The pedestrian zone in the heart of Aachen houses the parish church of St Foillan. This is the only church in the German-speaking world that is dedicated to this Irish saint (also known as Faelan, Feuillien, Faolan, Foelan, Feuillen de Fosses, or Pholien), which in itself is an indication that the proselytization of the Aachen area came from the west.

At some point, the expansion of nearby Aachen Cathedral brought the two temples close together, separated only by a narrow alley. The first church on this site, bearing the same name, was built around 1180 (one of the oldest parish churches in the city). Erected in its place three-nave Gothic temple was consecrated in 1482; some parts of it have survived to this day.

The current church retains very little of its original appearance; only fragments of the choir, parts of the façade and few other features have survived. The rest of the façade, much as the church's tower, date from 1888 or later. A bomb attack in 1944 almost completely destroyed the building.

From 1956 to 1958, the church was reconstructed, during which the preserved Gothic parts were reassembled using the latest construction technology.

The main eye-catcher on the inside, found in the middle of the choir, is the altar from 1962, made of blue stone. The surrounding relief depicts 32 scenes from the story of Salvation. Above the altar is a large bronze crucifix with enamel coating (also from 1962) with the scenes of Crucifixion on the front and the Lamb of God on the back. Among the most notable sculptures at St Foillan is the Beautiful (or Soft-) style Madonna, made in 1410 and named so for its distinctively soft, elegant forms.