Speyer Cathedral
Speyer, Germany
02.04.2017
Speyerer Dom
The Speyerer Dom, also known as the Imperial Cathedral of Speyer, is a Romanesque-style church located in the city of Speyer, Germany. It is considered to be one of the most important architectural and cultural monuments in the country and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
The construction of the Speyerer Dom began in 1030 under the rule of Emperor Conrad II and was completed in 1061. It was meant to be a symbol of power and prestige for the Holy Roman Empire and the seat of the Bishop of Speyer.
The cathedral has survived many wars and conflicts throughout its history, including the French invasion in the 17th century and the bombings of World War II. Today, it stands as a testament to the resilience and enduring beauty of Romanesque architecture.
One of the most impressive features of the Speyerer Dom is its size. It is the largest Romanesque church in the world, measuring 134 meters long, 37 meters wide, and with a height of 33 meters. The interior of the cathedral is equally grand, with its high vaulted ceilings and intricate details on the columns and arches.
Another notable aspect of the cathedral is its crypt, which is the burial site for many German kings and emperors, including Conrad II, Henry III, and Rudolf II. The crypt is also home to the tombs of four Holy Roman Emperors and four queens.
Visitors to the Speyerer Dom can also admire the beautiful stained glass windows, some of which date back to the 11th century. These windows depict important biblical scenes and are a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the medieval artisans.
Today, the Speyerer Dom continues to be an important place of worship and a popular tourist attraction. Its rich history and stunning architecture make it a must-visit for anyone traveling to Germany.
Weiterführende Links
Speyer Cathedral, a basilica with four towers and two domes, was founded by Conrad II in 1030 and remodelled at the end of the 11th century. It is one of the most important Romanesque monuments from the time of the Holy Roman Empire. The cathedral was the burial place of the German emperors for almost 300 years.
Speyer Cathedral, officially the Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St Stephen, in Latin: Domus sanctae Mariae Spirae (German: Dom zu Unserer lieben Frau in Speyer) in Speyer, Germany, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Speyer and is suffragan to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bamberg. The cathedral, which is dedicated to St. Mary, patron saint of Speyer ("Patrona Spirensis") and St. Stephen is generally known as the Kaiserdom zu Speyer (Imperial Cathedral of Speyer). Pope Pius XI raised Speyer Cathedral to the rank of a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church in 1925.
Begun in 1030 under Conrad II, with the east end and high vault of 1090–1103, the imposing triple-aisled vaulted basilica of red sandstone is the "culmination of a design which was extremely influential in the subsequent development of Romanesque architecture during the 11th and 12th centuries". As the burial site for Salian, Staufer and Habsburg emperors and kings the cathedral is regarded as a symbol of imperial power. With the Abbey of Cluny in ruins, it is the largest remaining Romanesque church and building. It is considered to be "a turning point in European architecture",
one of the most important architectural monuments of its time and one of the finest Romanesque monuments.
In 1981, the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of culturally important sites as "a major monument of Romanesque art in the German Empire".
