Erfurt Cathedral

The Catholic Erfurt Cathedral is a 1200 year old church located on Cathedral Hill of Erfurt, in Thuringen, Germany. It is of a International Gothic style, and is also known as St Mary's Cathedral, and is located quite uniquely, on a hillside.

History

The site where the Cathedral is now situated has been the location of many other church-like buildings in history, such as a Romanesque basilica and a hall church.Note also that famed priest, monk and professor Martin Luther, in 1507, was ordained in this cathedral.

Architecture

The architecture of the Erfurt Cathedral is, mostly, of a Gothic styling, and exists from around the 14th and 15th centuries.There are many things of note as far as the architecture is concerned, not least the stained glass windows and furnishings of the interior of the cathedral. The central spire of the three towers that sit aloft the cathedral harbours the Maria Gloriosa, the second largest free-swinging bell in the world, cast by Geert van Wou in 1497. It is known to have purity and beauty of tone.

Relics and Treasures

The Cathedral is house to many rare and rich furnishings and sculptures, including the tomb of the bigamous Count von Gleichen,accompanied by both of his wives, a stucco altar, a bronze candelebra of Romanesque antiquity called Wolfram, the oldest free standing cast work in Germany, and, out on the porch, several statues of the Wise and Foolish Virgins.

Timeline of Cathedrals History

*742 Pope Zachary is asked by Missionary Bonifice to observe the bishoprics of Würzburg, Büraberg (later Fritzlar) and Erfurt, and the Church of St. Mary acquires the status of diocesan.
*752 Bishop Boniface has a minster built on present day's cathedral hill
*1153 Collapse of this "major ecclesia", whose appearance remains unknown.
*1154 Construction begins on a romanesque basilica on Cathedral hill.
*1170 The new church is built and ready to be used.
*1182 The church is sanctified on June 20
*1201 Southern tower is constructed
*1237 Northern tower built
*1290 Santification of the first chancel extension to the east of the Romanesque basilica
*1329 Cavata built to maintain the high chancel
*1329-1337 Roof constructed over transept and west side of the Romanesque chancel
*1349 Foundation stone placed for present day high chancel
*1353 Sanctification of crypt benath high cancel
*1370/72 Sanctification of high chancel.
*1455 The west limb of the Romanesque basilica is destroyed and construction begins on the Late-Gothic hall nave
*1465 The nave is ready for usage
*1507 Ordaining of Martin Luther
*1697-1707 The Baroque high alter is built and added
*1828 A big restorative project begins
*1868 The Late Gothic nave roof is built once again
*1968 The Neo-Gothic roof is taken away and replaced by a new roof in the style of the Late-Gothics.
*1979 Construction begins on rebuilding the masonry and maintaining the medieval stained glass in the high chancel.

See also

*Cathedral
*Erfurt

References

*http://www.planetware.com/erfurt/erfurt-cathedral-d-th-erfcc.htm
*http://www.erfurt-guide.de/cathedral.htm
*http://sacred-destinations.com/germany/erfurt-dom-cathedral.htm