Wilhelm Schlombs

Who is Wilhelm Schlombs?

Wilhelm "Willi" Schlombs was a German architect and church builders. As Cologne Erzdiözesanbaumeister he was largely responsible for the reconstruction of the historic church building in the Archdiocese of Cologne after World War II. Its greatest merit is the rebuilding of the great Twelve Romanesque churches of Cologne.

Wilhelm Schlombs was born on 24 April 1920 in Cologne. As a returned soldier discharged shortly after the end of World War II in Cologne, he participated in the city curator Hans Vogt in the salvage of damaged monuments. Subsequently, he studied architecture at the RWTH Aachen and was afterwards for a short time at Cologne's Building Surveyor. 1950, the then called him to the Cologne Cathedral architect Willy Weyres Diocesan Building Authority Cologne. Schlombs was initiated Erzdiözesanbaumeister the Diocesan Building Authority until his retirement in 1985th Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Schlombs died on 25 August 1993. Schlombs was married from 1949 until his death, with Irmgard Schlombs, née Luebke. Together they had five daughters. His daughter, Dr. Adele Schlombs since 1991 director of the Museum of East Asian Art in Cologne.

In addition to the restoration of the war affected towed churches he campaigned for the modern church. This led to numerous church building projects, especially in the countries of Eastern Europe and East Asia, such as the Cathedral of Tokyo. His special love was for the former Jesuit church of St. Mary's Assumption of Cologne, for the reconstruction of the original equipment he is responsible. He founded 1981, the "Friends of Romanesque churches of Cologne" with and initiated the "Year of the Romanesque churches" in 1985, the climax and conclusion of his active service was. The Church of St. Mary Queen of Peace in Pulheim Dansweiler 1952/53 has been built according to his plans.