Justinuskirche Höchst

The Justinuskirche in Höchst, a district in the west of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is the oldest surviving building in the city. It was founded around 830 AD in the Carolingian era, when the archbishop of Mainz established a church in Höchst and dedicated it to Saint Justin, whose relics were brought here. The church stands on a hill above the Main at Justinuskirchplatz 4, in the old town of Höchst, which was an independent settlement for most of its history and only became part of Frankfurt in the 20th century. The original building was a basilica with a nave and aisles, and large parts of the Carolingian structure survive, including the pattern of the nave. Over the centuries the church was altered, with a Gothic choir added in the late Middle Ages and Baroque elements in later periods, so the building shows a layered history. The interior combines early medieval architecture with later decoration, and it is valued by historians as an example of Carolingian church building in the Rhine-Main area. The church was restored in the 20th century, and ongoing care keeps the structure in good condition. Its position in the old town of Höchst means visitors can explore half-timbered houses, the Höchst castle and the river promenade in the same trip. The church is open at set hours, so a visit should be planned with a check of local opening times. The location is outside the central area, but the S-Bahn to Frankfurt-Höchst makes it simple to reach, and it adds a very different perspective on the history of the city, which has settlements and churches that predate the imperial era by centuries. A short visit is enough for the interior, and the surrounding old town rewards extra time. Visitors with an interest in early medieval architecture will find it a useful contrast to the Gothic churches of the central old town.