Regensburg Cathedral facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Peter's Cathedral
Regensburger Dom
Regensburg Cathedral, in the foreground the Danube.
Saint Peter's Cathedral Location in Bavaria Show map of Bavaria Saint Peter's Cathedral Location in Germany Show map of Germany
49°01′10″N 12°05′54″E / 49.01944°N 12.09833°E / 49.01944; 12.09833
Location	Regensburg
Country	Germany
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	Website
History
Status	Active
Architecture
Functional status	Cathedral
Completed	1520
Specifications
Length	85.40 m (280 ft 2 in)
Width	34.80 m (114 ft 2 in)
Height	31.85 m (104 ft 6 in)
Number of spires	2
Spire height	105 m (344 ft 6 in)
Administration
Diocese	Diocese of Regensburg

Regensburg Cathedral exterior

Regensburg Cathedral (also known as Dom St. Peter or Regensburger Dom in German) is a very important example of Gothic architecture in Bavaria, Germany. It is a famous landmark in the city of Regensburg. This impressive building is the main church for the Catholic Diocese of Regensburg.

History of Regensburg Cathedral

The story of Regensburg Cathedral begins with an older church called Niedermünster. This church was built around the year 700. It was located west of where the current cathedral stands today.

Niedermünster was originally a chapel for a royal family. It also served as a tomb for Erhard of Regensburg. Sadly, this old church burned down in 1273.

Building the Gothic Cathedral

Because Regensburg was doing well financially, people decided to build a new, grander cathedral. An architect trained in France took charge in 1280. He brought French Gothic ideas to the design.

These ideas included a central nave (the main part of the church) divided into three sections. The design also featured buttresses (supports on the outside walls) and vaulting (arched ceilings). Two tall towers were planned for the front, or facade, of the building.

By 1320, three choir sections of the cathedral were ready to be used. The main entrance on the west side was finished between 1385 and 1415. Most of the building was completed around 1520, which was also when the cathedral officially opened.

One of the cathedral's builders, Mathes Roriczer, wrote down a method for designing buildings. This method helped determine the correct sizes and shapes from a simple drawing. He used this technique to figure out the proportions for the cathedral's pinnacles (small, pointed towers).

Later Changes and Renovations

In the 1600s, some parts of the cathedral were updated in a Baroque style. This included the cupola (a small dome) at the transept's crossing (where the main parts of the church meet). During this time, old paintings in the All Saints' Chapel were covered up.

Later, between 1828 and 1841, King Ludwig I of Bavaria ordered a Neo-Gothic renovation. This meant bringing back the original Gothic style. The Baroque cupola was removed and replaced with a new arched ceiling.

The tall towers and their spires (pointed tops) were finished between 1859 and 1869. Just three years later, the entire cathedral was finally complete.

Keeping the Cathedral Strong

The Dombauhütte (cathedral building workshop) was started in 1923. This group is in charge of taking care of Regensburg Cathedral. They make sure it stays strong and beautiful.

One of their big projects was restoring parts of the cathedral in the 2000s. In the 1980s, they also worked on building a crypt (an underground burial place) and exploring the central nave.

Inside and Outside the Cathedral

West façade.

Regensburg Cathedral is unique because it's separate from an older cloister (a covered walkway, usually around a courtyard). This happened when the church was rebuilt and moved slightly.

Special Features

The Eselsturm (or "donkey tower") is an old tower that still stands on the north side. In the past, and even today, it's used to lift building materials to the higher parts of the cathedral. A pulley system is still there for this purpose.

Next to the cathedral is the Dombauhütte workshop. They don't just use modern machines. They also make their own tools to preserve the building.

Inside, you'll find two amazing sandstone statues. These are of the Virgin Mary and the Angel Annunciate (Angel Gabriel). They were made around 1280 by a famous artist known as Erminoldmeister. These statues are on pillars near the main crossing of the church. Mary holds a book and greets the angel.

Groundplan of the stained glass windows by Josef Oberberger

Other stone figures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul were added to the eastern pillars between 1320 and 1370.

Stained Glass and Altars

Most of the beautiful stained glass windows were put in between 1220 and 1370. The windows on the west front were finished much later, in the 1800s. More modern stained glass windows were added in the 1960s by artist Professor Oberberger.

The silver high altar was created by artists from Augsburg between 1695 and 1785. There are also five Gothic Altars of Reservation. A new Altar of Celebration was built in 2004 in the southern choir.

The Judensau (June 2004).

On the outside of the cathedral, there is a carving known as the Judensau. This is a historical carving that has been seen as offensive to Jewish people. It faces the area where the former Jewish quarter was located. In 2005, there was a discussion about adding an informational sign to explain the carving's history and its problematic nature.

Importance of the Cathedral

Regensburg Cathedral is the main church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Regensburg. It is also home to the famous Regensburger Domspatzen, which is the cathedral's choir. This choir has a very long and rich history.

Many important bishops are buried in the cathedral. These include Johann Michael von Sailer and Georg Michael Wittmann. There is also a bronze memorial for Prince-Bishop Cardinal Philipp Wilhelm.

The cathedral is considered the most important Gothic building in southern Germany.

Dimensions

On the square at the cathedral in Regensburg

See also

In Spanish: Catedral de Ratisbona para niños