Karden - St. Castor

St. Castor (of Karden) was a follower of St. Maximin (of Trier). Both came from western France. While Maximin became Bishop of Trier, Castor lived a hermit´s life here - and missionized the local population to the Christian faith around 400. When pilgrims gathered at St. Castor´s grave, a large three nave church got erected in Carolingian times, to host the pious crowds.
Remains of this church can be found in the thick walls of the left (western) tower, that got a Baroque spire later. The church seen today was erected on the Carolingian foundations by a collegiate. The building started in 1183 in Romanesque style, but over the time some early Gothic elements were added.

After the French Revolution french troops occupied the area upto the Rhine and the collegiate was secularized in 1802. Since then, this is the parish church of Karden.