Brunswick Cathedral

Welcome to the Brunswick Cathedral, officially known as the Collegiate Church of Saint Blaise. We are standing in the heart of the Burgplatz, or Castle Square, which still retains the layout it had in the twelfth century. …

Before we enter the cathedral, we must pay our respects to the figure that gives this square its name: the Braunschweiger Löwe, or Brunswick Lion. Ordered by Henry the Lion around eleven sixty-six, this hollow bronze casting…

As we approach the main entrance, notice the twin-towered west work of the cathedral. This structure is typical of the Romanesque period, emphasizing strength and symmetry. …

Standing in the central nave, you are surrounded by one of the most complete medieval interiors in Germany. The primary focus of the nave is the massive seven-branched candelabrum, or the 'Seven-Armed Lamp.' Dating from…

We now approach the chancel, the most sacred part of the cathedral. Here we find the Mary's Altar, which was consecrated in eleven eighty-eight. …

In front of the chancel, we find the final resting place of the cathedral’s founders. The tombstones of Henry the Lion and Matilda, carved around twelve fifty, are among the most important examples of high-medieval funerary art. …

As we finish our exploration of the Brunswick Cathedral, take a final look at the massive pillars and the warm light filtering through the nave. This building is a remarkable survivor. …