Essen Minster, or cathedral, hails from an original 9th century church on the spot. Its current form comes from the larger 11th century structure, which has lost part of its original size, replaced by a Gothic hall. It has been the cathedral of the Ruhr Bishop since 1958, after war damages were repaired. It as an octagonal tower built by Princess-Abess Theophanu in the 11th century which was unscathed in the war. Inside are numerous treasures, including the Golden Madonna of 965 which is the first known example in the world. This is securely housed in its own chapel inside the minster. Guided tours available.
