St. Peter Cathedral

This construction work, which began around 1085, probably reached its preliminary conclusion at the beginning of the 12th century. Large parts of this construction phase are still preserved today, for example the main crypt, the northern crypts, the lower transept walls or the outer wall of the northern side aisle in the core. Further building measures in the late Romanesque style followed in the following decades, including the completion of the Romanesque roof truss over the high choir, which can still be seen today, as well as the continuous vaulting. Until the 19th century, a multitude of further building measures in late Romanesque-Gothic style followed, whose harmonious mixture determines the appearance of the cathedral today. In the course of the 20th century, the cathedral was restored on a large scale for the first time. In 1969, during excavation work on the occasion of the renewal of the floor, parts of a church, which can probably be dated to the 8th century, were rediscovered. Although an exact dating of this first church is not possible, the year 774 can be considered as the terminus post quem, in which the so-called Imperial Annals describe the church of Bonfatius in the context of the Saxon invasions.

The Fritzlar Cathedral is not only impressive because of its numerous sights inside the cathedral, but also because of its cathedral treasure, which is open to visitors, and its museum with cathedral library. Since 2004, the church has held the title of basilica minor. The blessing of the umbraculum took place in 2016.

FLORIAN HARTMANN