Two buildings in Hildesheim and all their art treasures were already added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in 1985: St. Michael's Church, one of the most beautiful early Romanesque churches in Germany, and the Hildesheim Cathedral, with its impressive bronze castings. Both buildings are outstanding examples of Romanesque architecture. In addition, they symbolize the enormous creative powers of Bischop Bernward, after whom an important period af art history in Germany was named, the Bernwardian Period.

St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Michael's Church (295 KB)

Michaelisplatz 1, 31134 Hildesheim
telephone: +49 (0)5121 34410
St. Michael's Church was built as an monastery church, or Minster, under Bishop Bernward from 1010 to 1022 and was finally completed and officially consecrated by Bishop Godehard in 1033. St. Michael's Church is an impressive example of Romanesque-Ottonian architecture. At first glance, one cannot help but notice the clear, geometric forms, which characterize the outer appearance with an austere symmetry.

Inside St. Michael's Church, which can be considered as a work of art in its own right, one of the real showpieces is the painted wooden ceiling dating from the 13th century, which depicts the lineage of Christ (the Tree of Jesse). The flat ceiling, which is unique in all of Germany, conveys a fascinating impression of Romanesque monumental painting and it is the oldest example of this type of artwork still in existence north of the Alps today. Other treasures include the painted stucco relief on the choir screen (dating from the end of the 12th century) and St. Mary's altar (around 1520).

Opening Hours:
April 1 to October 31: daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
November 1 to March 31: daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Domhof 18-21, 31134 Hildesheim
telephone: +49 (0)5121 307-770
St. Mary's Cathedral, one of the oldest bishop's churches, or cathedrals, in Germany, is a basilica divided into three naves and built of broken and quarry stone. The Cloister, a two-storey three-wing construction whose inner courtyard has served as the burial place of the church for centuries adjoins the main apse. This is where the legendary 1000-year-old rosebush can also be found.

In 1985, the cathedral was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage sites, in honor of the rich medieval inventory in particular, the amazingly wide diversity of which gives visitors deeper insight into understanding the architecture and decoration of Romanesque churches. Decorations include the most monumental bronze castings dating from the Middle Ages: Christ's Pillar and Bernward's Bronze Door.

Opening Hours of St. Mary's Cathedral and the rosebush:
daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Hildesheim's cathedral treasure is among the large church treasures in Europe. The precious objects, collected in over a thousand years, provide evidence of a lively faith. It is a shared heritage of both historically closely connected churches, with its treasures placed in the care of the Cathedral's museum.
The Cathedral's museum will be closed until 2015.