Golden Madonna of Essen, Medieval statue in Essen Minster, Germany
The Golden Madonna statue measures 74 centimeters in height and features a wooden core covered with 116 thin sheets of gold leaf and precious stones.
Created around 980 AD, this statue stands as the oldest known Madonna sculpture and the earliest free-standing medieval figure located north of the Alps.
The statue represents the Virgin Mary holding infant Jesus, serving as the patron saint symbol for the German Diocese of Essen and its religious community.
The Madonna resides in a climate-controlled, high-security display case within the left side chapel of Essen Cathedral, where visitors can view it during opening hours.
The wooden structure contains 116 gold sheets secured by miniature golden bolts, with the base measuring 27 centimeters in width.
Inception: 980s
Height: 74 cm
Made from material: wood, gold leaf
Website: https://domschatz-essen.de/der-essener-domschatz/sammlung/goldene-madonna
GPS coordinates: 51.45583,7.01361
Latest update: May 12, 2025 11:41
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