Professor Dr. Willems appointed to the cathedral building commission of St. Victor's Cathedral in Xanten
St. Victor's Cathedral in Xanten on the Lower Rhine (actually a Basilica Minor) has a history of more than 1,500 years. After a stone oratory from the 6th century over a burial ground from the 4th century, a first church with an adjoining monastery was built in 732 AD, which was decisive for the later naming of the developing town - ad sanctos became Xanten.
After several rebuilds and reconstructions, construction of the present church began in 1263, which suffered severe damage during air raids in February 1945. Reconstruction began in 1947.
After several years of accompanying scientific cooperation with the Xanten Cathedral Building Lodge in the field of climate monitoring, Professor Willems was appointed to the Cathedral Building Commission last year for permanent cooperation and then officially began his (honorary) work there at the end of 2024.