Merseburg Cathedral
Merseburg Cathedral
The Merseburg Cathedral of St. John and St. Lawrence is considered a jewel of the "Romanesque Road". 1000 years ago, the imperial couple Heinrich II and Kunigunde laid the foundation stone for the cathedral, which is fantastically situated on the Saale River. To this day, the magnificent works of art and magical exhibits bring history and legends to life. A worldwide incomparable treasure can be found in the "Merseburg Magic Sayings" from the 10th century. The magical incantations from pre-Christian times have been preserved in rare originality and are reminiscent of pagan Germanic customs.
Other treasures can be marveled at in the cathedral treasury, such as Cranach's Heinrich altar, the glittering "Otto coat" or the mysterious mummified hand of Rudolf of Swabia. Numerous personalities left their traces in the cathedral: Bishop Thietmar (976-1018) provides insight into the events surrounding the imperial cathedral with his historically significant chronicle. In the completely reconstructed coat of arms hall of the chapter house, the work of Bishop Thilo von Trotha (1466-1514) can be traced. His raven coat of arms, to which the Merseburg raven legend refers, can be found throughout Merseburg. For an excursion into the Baroque era, it is worth descending into the princely crypt. 37 splendidly decorated coffins of the ducal family of Saxe-Merseburg remind us that the cathedral was also used as a baroque court church.
The romantic Ladegast organ, which is played in numerous concerts, is a mighty testimony to musical power. The baroque Kapitelhaus garden, a green oasis with lovely fruit trees, fragrant roses and secluded vine arbors, invites visitors to linger. Children should stop by the KinderDomusMerseburch: Exciting discovery tours, vacation activities and educational museum projects regularly take them there into a magical, mystical medieval world and let them marvel at historical personalities, enchanting documents and mysterious stories.
Details
Germany
Merseburg
06217
Cathedral Square 7