Mainz Cathedral, Imperial Cathedral in Mainz, Germany
Mainz Cathedral is a Romanesque cathedral in the old town with a length of 116 meters (381 feet) and several towers that shape the city skyline. The stone exterior shows stepped gables and richly designed doorways that reflect different building phases over time.
Archbishop Willigis began construction in 975, and the first consecration took place in 1009 when Mainz rose as an important religious center in the empire. Over the centuries, several rebuildings and expansions followed after fires and war damage.
Known locally as the Hoher Dom, this building remains the seat of the Roman Catholic bishop and continues to serve the diocese. Visitors walking through the interior encounter medieval sculptures, altars, and stained glass windows created across different centuries.
The building stands in the old town near the market square and is easy to reach on foot from the Rhine waterfront. Guided tours explain architectural elements and religious meaning, while visitors can also explore the interior on their own.
The architecture incorporates two choirs at opposite ends of the building, a design commonly found in imperial churches of the medieval period. This arrangement was meant to underline the church's role as both a spiritual and worldly center of power.
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