Speyer Cathedral, the Altpörtel and the Jewish Courtyard give Speyer distinct cultural and historical focal points. The city is also home to art and technology museums, an audio tour through the city centre and routes to notable viewpoints. Many of the sights are close enough together for you to explore Speyer comfortably on foot.
The Cathedral and Altpörtel: architectural history and views
At 134 metres in total length, Speyer Cathedral is the largest Romanesque church in the world. Construction began in the 1020s under Conrad II, with the aim of building the largest church of its time. The cathedral was consecrated in 1061, after more than 30 years of construction. These dates provide a timeline for the building, whose scale can also be seen in its overall length.
After climbing a further 214 steps, visitors reach a viewing platform on the southwest tower, 60 metres above ground. On a clear day, the view can extend up to 50 kilometres. Access to the tower may vary depending on operating conditions, so check before planning a climb.
The 55-metre-high Altpörtel was once the western main gate in Speyer’s medieval fortifications. From here, views include the Memorial Church, the Rhine and the Technik Museum Speyer. These two prominent buildings offer different perspectives: the view from the cathedral tower and the cityscapes visible from the Altpörtel.
Jewish heritage in the Jewish Courtyard
Since 2021, the Jewish Courtyard in Speyer, together with the SchUM Sites in Worms and Mainz, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mikveh in the Jewish Courtyard is the oldest of its kind north of the Alps. The World Heritage status and the ritual bath thus offer two tangible ways to explore the history of this place.
The SchPIRA Museum displays original preserved windows, architectural elements and coin finds from the medieval synagogue and ritual bath in the Jewish Courtyard. These exhibits complement the historic site with surviving building elements and archaeological finds.
Art collections and large-scale exhibits
The Purrmann House Museum presents the largest public collection of works by the artist couple Hans Purrmann (1880–1966) and Mathilde Vollmoeller-Purrmann (1876–1943) from the Classical Modern period. The collection includes around 100 paintings, watercolours and prints, as well as archival material and personal items. Individual displays may change, so check what is currently on view when planning your visit.
The Municipal Gallery Speyer hosts at least six exhibitions each year. The exhibition “Cross and Crown” can be complemented by guided tours of the exhibition, the Imperial Cathedral or the city of Speyer. Check the booking details when planning your visit.
The Technik Museum Speyer offers a different focus: its expansive outdoor grounds feature, among other things, a Bundesmarine submarine, an Antonov, the largest propeller-driven aircraft ever built in series, and a Lufthansa jumbo jet. This makes it easy to choose according to your interests: art collections and exhibitions on one hand, large-scale technological exhibits on the other.
Walking tour and routes through the city
Speyer’s audio guide takes visitors on a walking tour of around three kilometres through the city centre. Along the way, they encounter six sights, as well as historic buildings and hidden places. The tour links notable stops with further impressions of the city centre.
The proximity of many sights is a helpful point of reference for getting around on foot: many are close enough together for you to explore the city comfortably on foot. During the day, the City Shuttle on bus route 561 connects the railway station with the central car park at the Festplatz. It runs every ten minutes, passing directly by the cathedral, along Maximilianstraße and beneath the Altpörtel. As these are operational timetable details, check the current schedule before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Worms, ZweibrĂĽcken, Frankenthal, Neustadt an der WeinstraĂźe, Mainz.
Go to the main travel overview: Rhineland-Palatinate.
