Naumburg Cathedral, Lutheran cathedral in Naumburg, Germany
Naumburg Cathedral is a Protestant place of worship in Naumburg that combines Romanesque arches with Gothic pointed vaults along its 95-meter structure. Both ends of the nave show separate choir areas, with the western section standing out for its sculptural work.
Construction of the first early Romanesque cathedral began in spring 1029, after the episcopal see moved from Zeitz in 1028. It was consecrated before 1044 under Bishop Hunold of Merseburg. Around 1210 a late Romanesque rebuild started under Bishop Engelhard, and the early Gothic west choir with the donor figures was added around 1250, likely finished by 1260.
The name Naumburg derives from the castle 'neweburg' built around 1000 by Margrave Ekkehard I of Meissen. Since the Reformation the cathedral has served a Protestant congregation; Nikolaus von Amsdorf became the first Protestant bishop in the Holy Roman Empire here in 1542. Visitors can see the twelve donor statues in the west choir, including the famous figure of Uta.
The church continues to serve as a Protestant parish, while guided visits provide access to the artworks and architectural elements. The west choir with its donor figures and the crypt require climbing some steps, so visitors should wear sturdy shoes.
The west choir's twelve donor figures, carved around 1250 by the Naumburg Master, include the margrave brothers Hermann and Ekkehard II, who pushed for the see to move from Zeitz. The master had worked on the cathedrals of Noyon, Reims and Amiens before coming here.
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