Erfurt Cathedral

Erfurt Cathedral (German: Dom, Mariensdom, or Domberg St Marien) is an impressive Gothic cathedral with some Romanesque parts situated on a hillside in Erfurt. Inside are many important art masterpieces.

Most of the Dom is Gothicand dates from the 14th and 15th centuries, but the lower parts of its huge towers are Romanesque and belonged to a church built on this site for Bishop Boniface in 742.

On April 3, 1507, Martin Luther was ordained a priest in Mariensdom (see Luther in Erfurt and The Luther Trail).

The wide stairs that lead dramatically from the Domplatz to the main entrance of the cathedral provide a good view of the 14th-century Gothic presbytery, which is supported by a massive fortress-like substructure known as the Kavaten (late 13th century).

The choir and transepts were built on top of the Kavaten in the mid-14th century in a pure High Gothic style, and the highly decorated triangular porch was added soon after. The porch features vivid statues illustrating the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins.

The Dom was completed in the 15th century with the addition of the spacious hall nave, whose very German appearance contrasts with the French influence evident elsewhere.

The Dom's central tower houses the Maria Gloriosa bell, cast by Gerhard Wou in 1497. It was the largest bell cast during the Middle Ages and, at 2.5 m (8 feet) in diamater, it is still the world's largest medieval free-swinging bell. Guided tours provide a closeup view of the great bell, but before you take to the stairs, note that the tower does not offer a view over the city.

The interior has well-preserved Gothic decorations and rich furnishings. Of particular note are the 14th- and 15th-century stained glass windows, which are one of the most impressive sets in Germany.

Also of note are the Gothic choir stalls (1370), "Wolfram," a Romanesque (c.1160) bronze candelabra shaped like a man, and a stucco altar of The Enthroned Madonna with Saints (mid-12th-century).

Items of interest in the nave include a small altar of The Madonna and Child with SS Catherine and Barbara by Lucas Cranach, and the tomb of the supposedly bigamous Count of Gleichen and his wives.