Essen, the culture capital of Europe, 2010, preserves several Romanesque churches that are the subject of this guidebook: the former Frauenstiftskirche SS. Cosmas und Damian (today the cathedral of the Diocese of Essen), the Praemonstratensian and later Frauenstift SS. Maria und Nikolaus in Essen-Stoppenberg, as well as the prior Benedictine abbey church St. Ludgerus and the Pfarrkirche St. Luzius in Essen-Werden