Cathedrals of Germany

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Hildesheim Cathedral (St Mary's Cathedral and St Michael's Church at Hildesheim)
UNESCO World Heritage Site

St Mary's Cathedral was built between 1010 and 1020 in the Romanesque style characteristic of the Ottonic Romanesque architecture of Niedersachsen. It was in fact completely destroyed during a 22 March 1945 air raid, but was rebuilt between 1950 and 1960.

The St Mary's Cathedral has many famous works of art, including its bronze doors commissioned by Bishop Bernward in 1015, a bronze column with reliefs depicting the life of Christ, two large wheel-shaped candelabras from the 11th century, the sarcophagus of St Godehard, the St Epiphanius's shrine from the 12th century and the Baptismal Font from 1225. Within its courtyard is the Anne's chapel (Annenkapelle), first erected in 1321, which was one of the few structures undamaged by the bombings. There is also a 1000-year-old rose bush, which symbolises the prosperity of Hildesheim.



11th century wheel-shaped candelabra



Bronze door





The Cathedral is located near Gottingen, mid way between Frankfurt and Berlin.

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Speyer Cathedral
UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Cathedral has a length of 134 m width (external) of 37.62 m, height of two eastern spires 71.2 m. Now a Basilica with four towers and two domes. Speyer Cathedral was founded by Conrad II in 1030 AD. The church was remodeled at the end of the 11th century. The cathedral served as the burial place for German Emperors for nearly 30 years. The chime of the cathedral is composed of nine bells of which the larger four were cast in 1822 by Peter Lindemann. The Emperor Bell has a weight of 5350 kg and a diameter of 208 cm.

Location : 100 km from Frankfurt on the Karlsruhe road in the State of Rhineland-Palatinate.