St. Maria zur Wiese, Soest

The Protestant Wiesenkirche or Church of St. Maria zur Wiese in Soest is considered a perfectly formed Westphalian hall church. With an almost square ground plan, its interior gives the viewer the impression of a pure window front, supported by graceful bundle piers. The high window tracks almost reach the floor in the choir. During the day, the church appears light and flooded with light. Three naves of almost the same height, with very shallow vaults, give the space its even dimensions. The building history stretches over centuries. The foundation stone for today's church was laid in 1313 on the site of the Romanesque predecessor building. The double towers that define the exterior appearance were not erected until the second half of the 19th century.