Hildesheim Cathedral

Hildesheim Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary
Hildesheimer Dom
Northwest view of Hildesheim Cathedral
Map
52°08′56″N 9°56′50″E / 52.14889°N 9.94722°E / 52.14889; 9.94722
LocationHildesheim
CountryGermany
DenominationRoman Catholic
Websitewww.dom-hildesheim.de
History
StatusActive
DedicationAssumption of Mary
Architecture
Functional statusCathedral
Architectural typebasilica
StyleRomanesque (original)
Gothic (side chapels and northern paradise)
Baroque (crossing tower)
Groundbreaking815 (Chapel of St. Mary) (815 (Chapel of St. Mary))
872 (St. Mary's Cathedral) (872 (St. Mary's Cathedral))
Specifications
Length80 m (262 ft 6 in)
Width44 m (144 ft 4 in)
Height20 m (65 ft 7 in)
Number of spires1
Spire height41 m (134 ft 6 in)
Bells12
Tenor bell weight8686kg
Administration
DioceseDiocese of Hildesheim
Official nameSt Mary's Cathedral
Part ofSt Mary's Cathedral and St Michael's Church at Hildesheim
CriteriaCultural: (i), (ii), (iii)
Reference187bis-001
Inscription1985 (9th Session)
Extensions2008
Area0.58 ha (1.4 acres)
Buffer zone157.68 ha (389.6 acres)

Hildesheim Cathedral (German: Hildesheimer Dom), officially the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary (German: Hohe Domkirche St. Mariä Himmelfahrt) or simply St. Mary's Cathedral (German: Mariendom), is a medieval Roman Catholic cathedral in the city centre of Hildesheim in Lower Saxony, Germany, that serves as the seat of the Diocese of Hildesheim. The cathedral has been on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list since 1985, together with the nearby St. Michael's Church because of its unique art and outstanding Romanesque architecture.[1]

The cathedral church was built between 1010 and 1020 in the Romanesque style. It follows a symmetrical plan with two apses, that is characteristic of Ottonian Romanesque architecture in Old Saxony. The cathedral's treasures include world-famous artworks, bronze works from the time of Bishop Bernward, Bernward Doors and Bernward Column, as well as two of the four notable Romanesque wheel chandeliers: the Hezilo chandelier and the Azelin chandelier.

After renovations and extensions in the 11th, 12th and 14th centuries, the cathedral was completely destroyed during an air raid on 22 March 1945 and rebuilt from 1950 to 1960. A thorough renovation of the cathedral began in 2010, including technical and conservation measures. Some of the cathedral's treasures have been shown further afield, including at an exhibition at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The cathedral was reopened on 15 August 2014.

  1. ^ "St Mary's Cathedral and St Michael's Church at Hildesheim". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 15 May 2022.

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