Bamberg Cathedral facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bamberg Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St George
Bamberger Dom
Bamberg Cathedral
49°53′27″N 10°52′57″E / 49.89083°N 10.88250°E / 49.89083; 10.88250
Location	Bamberg
Country	Germany
Denomination	Catholic
Website	Website of the cathedral
History
Status	Active
Founded	1002
Founder(s)	Heinrich II (Henry II)
Consecrated	6 May 1012
Architecture
Functional status	Metropolitan Cathedral, Minor Basilica
Style	Romanesque
Completed	1012
Specifications
Length	94 metres
Width	28 metres
Height	26 metres
Number of spires	4
Spire height	81 metres
Administration
Archdiocese	Archdiocese of Bamberg

A plan of the cathedral, showing the two main areas at each end.

Bamberg Cathedral, a famous landmark in Germany.

Bamberg Cathedral (officially called Bamberger Dom St. Peter und St. Georg) is a very old church in Bamberg, Germany. It was finished in the 13th century and is a major Catholic church. Since 1993, this amazing building has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site called "Town of Bamberg," which means it's super important globally!

The cathedral was started in 1002 by King Heinrich II (Henry II), who later became an Emperor. It was officially opened in 1012. Inside, you can find the tombs of Henry II and his wife, Cunigunde. They are the only imperial couple (Emperor and Empress) who were made saints! The cathedral also holds the only grave of a pope in Germany, and the only one north of the Alps. This is the tomb of Pope Clement II (who lived from 1005 to 1047).

The first two cathedrals on this spot burned down in the 11th and 12th centuries. The building you see today is a late Romanesque style church. It has four tall towers and was built in the 13th century.

The cathedral is about 94 meters (308 feet) long, 28 meters (92 feet) wide, and 26 meters (85 feet) high. Each of its four towers stands about 81 meters (266 feet) tall. It's filled with incredible artworks. One of the most famous is the marble tomb of the founder, Emperor Henry II, and his wife, Empress Kunigunde. This tomb was carved between 1499 and 1513 by a famous sculptor named Tilman Riemenschneider.

Another special treasure is a statue of a knight on horseback, known as the Bamberg Horseman. This statue was likely made between 1225 and 1237. It's one of the first statues of its kind since ancient times! People think it might show the Hungarian king Stephen I.

History of the Cathedral

How it Started

Heinrich (Henry) became the Duke of Bavaria in 995. He loved the town of Bamberg and gave it to his wife, Kunigunde, as a wedding gift. In 1002, Henry was chosen as King of Germany. He decided to make Bamberg an important center and gave it special rights, like making its own money.

Henry was a very religious person. He and his wife did not have children, so they wanted to use their wealth for good. He decided to create a new church area (diocese) in Bamberg. Even though some other bishops didn't like it because they would lose land, the plan was approved in 1007. The first bishop of Bamberg was Eberhard I. King Henry also became a special member of the cathedral's church group.

Building the Cathedral

Work on the first cathedral began in 1002. It was officially opened on Henry's birthday, May 6, 1012. This first church was smaller, about 75 meters (246 feet) long. It had two main areas for singing (choirs) and two towers.

Sadly, this first cathedral burned down in 1081. The inside was completely destroyed, but the main structure wasn't too badly damaged. It was rebuilt quickly and reopened in 1111. However, this rebuilt church also burned down in 1185.

In 1047, the body of Pope Clement II was brought from Rome to Bamberg and buried in the cathedral. This is very special because it's the only pope's grave in Germany!

The cathedral you see today was built after the second fire. It was mostly built by three bishops from the Andechs-Merania family. They made it a large and beautiful building. It was officially opened on May 6, 1237.

Later Changes

Henry was made a saint in 1146, and Kunigunde in 1200. Between 1499 and 1513, Tilman Riemenschneider created their famous tomb. Many other artworks were added during the Gothic period.

In the 1600s, the inside of the cathedral was changed to the Baroque style. Old colorful windows were removed, and frescoes (wall paintings) were painted over. The tomb of Henry and Kunigunde was moved, and new altars were put in.

Later, from 1729 to 1733, a famous architect named Balthasar Neumann added a new building for the cathedral's offices.

In the early 1800s, the church's power changed, and it became part of Bavaria. Later, in 1817, Bamberg became an archdiocese, which is a very important church region.

From 1828 to 1837, King Ludwig I of Bavaria wanted to make the cathedral look more like it did in medieval times. So, many Baroque changes were removed. Altars and sculptures were sold off to bring back its original, older look.

More recently, from 1969 to 1974, the church was updated to fit modern church practices. For example, the main altar was moved.

What the Cathedral Looks Like

Outside and Overall Look

The cathedral is about 94 meters (308 feet) long, 28 meters (92 feet) wide, and 26 meters (85 feet) high. Its four towers are each about 81 meters (266 feet) tall.

Because it was built over a long time, the cathedral shows different building styles. You can see both Romanesque and Gothic styles. The main part of the church (the nave) shows a mix of these styles.

The current building is mostly late Romanesque. The two eastern towers were made taller after 1766 to match the western towers. The western towers are in an early Gothic style.

Main Church Areas (Choirs)

The western choir with the main altar and a large chandelier.

The cathedral has a special area for singing (a choir) at both ends. The eastern choir is the oldest part and is in a pure Romanesque style. It's dedicated to St. George. The western choir is early Gothic and is dedicated to St. Peter. This area holds the special chair for the archbishop (called a cathedra) and the grave of Pope Clement II.

Side Areas (Transepts)

The Veit Stoss Altar, a famous artwork in the cathedral.

The northern side area (transept) has a late Gothic altar from around 1500, dedicated to Mary. The southern side area has a large Nativity altar made of wood by the artist Veit Stoss. This altar was made between 1520 and 1523.

Middle Part (Nave) and Side Aisles

The Riemenschneideraltar in one of the side aisles.

The long middle part of the church, called the nave, connects the two choirs. Here you'll find the imperial tomb, the famous Bamberger Reiter statue, a pulpit, and the organ.

In the side aisles, there are two other notable altars. One is dedicated to Mary, and the other is called the Riemenschneider Altar. It's named after a statue of St. Sebastian, which is thought to be from the workshop of the famous sculptor Riemenschneider.

Underground Areas (Crypts)

The eastern crypt, an ancient part of the cathedral.

The western crypt was cleaned up and reopened between 1987 and 1995. It now serves as the burial place for the Archbishops of Bamberg. In a chapel under the northwestern tower, you can see the skulls of the two founders, Henry and Kunigunde, in a glass case.

The eastern crypt was built around 1200. It holds the tombs of bishops from the 11th and 12th centuries. You can also find the tomb of King Konrad III, who died in Bamberg in 1152.

Small Chapels

Nagelkapelle

This chapel used to be a meeting hall. It holds a wooden Gothic altar from around 1500. The chapel is famous for housing a nail that is believed to be from the True Cross (the cross Jesus was crucified on). People have honored this nail in Bamberg since the 1300s.

Sakramentskapelle

This chapel was renamed in 1974. It is now used to store the sacramental bread for the Eucharist (a Christian ceremony). It has a painting called Rosenkranzgemälde, which is thought to be by Lucas Cranach the Elder.

Artworks and Carvings

Tomb of Henry and Kunigunde

The detailed tomb of Henry II and Kunigunde, carved by Tilman Riemenschneider.

One of the most important artworks in the cathedral is the tomb of Emperor Henry II and Empress Kunigunde. It was made by the sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider between 1499 and 1513. The tomb is made of polished stone and marble.

The top of the tomb shows the Emperor and Empress lying down. The sides are carved with scenes from their lives. These carvings show stories like the Empress walking over hot metal to prove she was innocent, workers being paid for building a church, and the Emperor being healed by a saint. These carvings show the influence of Renaissance art.

Bamberger Reiter (Bamberg Horseman)

The mysterious Bamberger Reiter statue.

Near the tomb, on a column, stands a famous statue of a knight on horseback, known as the Bamberg Horseman. For a long time, no one knew for sure who this knight was supposed to be. Some thought he was a German emperor. During the time of the Nazis, they used his image to represent German perfection.

Today, using modern technology, experts think he was probably the 11th-century Hungarian king Stephen I. The artist who carved the statue is unknown, but it is one of the oldest horseman statues made in Germany after the Roman Empire.

Main Entrances (Portals)

The Adamspforte with its carved figures.

The Gnadenpforte showing Mary with saints and founders.

The Fürstenportal, the main entrance, with its detailed carvings.

The cathedral has many carvings on its three main entrances, called portals. The Adamspforte and Marienpforte (also called Gnadenpforte) lead into the eastern towers. Each is guarded by a carved Romanesque lion, which are very old. The Adamspforte has statues of saints and Adam and Eve. The Marienpforte shows Mary being honored by saints and by Kunigunde and Henry.

The main entrance is called the Fürstenportal (princes' portal). It's on the north side, not the west, because of the cathedral's two choirs. This portal was only opened on special holy days. It has carvings of prophets and apostles, and a scene of the Last Judgment.

Pope's Grave

The tomb of Pope Clement II, the only papal grave in Germany.

The tomb of Pope Clement II is made of silver-grey marble. It has carvings from the early 1200s on all four sides. These carvings show things like the four main virtues (like courage and wisdom), the death of the pope, and St. Michael.

Organ

The impressive organ of Bamberg Cathedral.

The first organ in the cathedral was built in 1415. The current organ was built in 1976. It has four keyboards and a pedalboard. All the organs throughout the cathedral's history have been placed on the north wall because the sound is best there. About 40 concerts are held in the cathedral every year.

Bells

The cathedral has many bells, each with its own name, year it was made, and sound. The oldest bell, named Kunigunde, dates back to around 1185! The largest bell, Heinrich, was cast in 1311 and weighs about 5,200 kg (over 11,000 pounds). Many of the bells are in the south-east tower.

Other Buildings

The Domkranz terrace and the chapter house.

The cloisters (covered walkways) and the nearby chapter house (built by Balthasar Neumann) now hold the cathedral museum, called Diözesanmuseum Bamberg [de].

The Domkranz is a terrace that you can reach by two wide stairways from the main square. From here, you can enter the cathedral through the Adamspforte and Gnadenpforte.

Domplatz (Cathedral Square)

The Domplatz (Cathedral Square) with the Cathedral, Alte Hofhaltung, and Neue Residenz.

The square in front of the cathedral is called Domplatz. It's surrounded by other important buildings. On one side is the Alte Hofhaltung [de], which was the bishops' palace from the 1400s to 1602. On the other side is the Baroque Neue Residenz [de], which was their palace from 1602 to 1803.

The square was originally known as Hofplatz. In 1949, it officially became Domplatz, meaning "Cathedral Square."

Images for kids

• 

  The nave of Bamberg Cathedral, showing its grand interior.

• 

  These two towers show the difference between the two styles of architecture very clearly: the Romanesque on the left and the Gothic on the right.

See also

In Spanish: Catedral de Bamberg para niños

• Ulrich of Bamberg