Cathedral of Magdeburg, Protestant cathedral in Magdeburg, Germany
The Cathedral of Magdeburg is a Protestant church in Magdeburg with two towers built from dimension stone that reach 104 meters (341 feet) into the sky. The structure follows Gothic architectural forms with pointed arches, tall vaulted ceilings, and large windows that allow daylight into the interior.
Emperor Otto I founded an imperial abbey on this site in 937, intending it to serve as a royal burial place. The current Gothic building began construction in 1201 and was completed over several centuries.
Inside the northern transept stands a thirteenth-century statue of Saint Maurice carved in sandstone, showing him dressed in the full armor of a medieval knight. This representation marks one of the earliest portrayals of an African figure in European sculpture and reflects the longstanding devotion of the local community to its patron saint.
The building remains open to visitors every day and entry to the main hall does not require a fee. Climbing the tower platform involves several flights of stairs, so sturdy footwear and a moderate level of fitness are advisable.
The choir houses the tomb of Emperor Otto I and his first wife Edith in a red porphyry sarcophagus. No other German church contains imperial burial sites from the tenth century.
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