Imperial Cathedral in Worms
The Worms Cathedral is the smallest and also the youngest of the three Rhenish imperial cathedrals, two of which can be found in Rheinhessen. Its design is a classic example of Romanesque. It was built from 1130 to 1181. In Worms Cathedral is also the St. Nicholas Chapel, which was built in honor of St. Nicholas of Myra. In the underground of the cathedral is an old grave site, which houses sarcophagi of ancestors and relatives of Emperor Konrad II.
The cathedral St. Peter, an outstanding building of the romantics, is, besides the cathedrals in Mainz and Speyer, one of the three rhenish imperial cathedrals. One significantmoment is his thousand years of church history is the Reichstag in Worms in the year 1521. Martin Luther had to take responsibility in front of emperor Karl V. but he refused to recall his writings. Today a glass window, which is dedicated to the history of the city Worms, shows this special moment and by that the reformer- unique in the catholic church.
You can learn more exciting backgrounds concerning the origins and the development of the house of God as part of a guided cathedral tour. Our tip: walk already through the inside of the church room with the help of a virtual 360 degree panoramic tour, down into the tomb, up into the roof truss and outside on the roofs!
An extraordinary perspective on the Worms cathedral is also offered during a visit of the renowned Nibelungen feestivals. The external facade of the imposant building is every year an integral part of the stage where the middle ages heroic saga around Siegfried, Kriemhild, Brünhild and Hagen will be continued.
The double choir, romanic pillar basilica with transept was set up in 1125/1130 and 1181 on the fundament of the already built cathedral. The ' argument of the queens' of the 'Nibelungenlied' took place at the so- called imperial portal on the north side. The gothic chapel of st. nicholas is situated next to the south portal. Inside of the cathedral are romanic and late gothic stoneworks. The east choir was furnished baroque after the city destruction in 1689. The high altar is from Balthasar Neumann. In 1048 the cathedral experienced a pope…