Erfurt Cathedral, Gothic cathedral in Erfurt, Germany
Erfurt Cathedral is a Gothic bishop's church built from yellowish-brown sandstone on Cathedral Hill in the old town of Erfurt, Germany. Its three towers rise above Cathedral Square and form a widely visible silhouette over the city together with the neighboring Saint Severus Church.
Saint Boniface founded the first church on this site in 742, which underwent multiple reconstructions and expansions over the centuries. The current Gothic structure began taking shape in 1154 and received its final form during the 14th and 15th centuries.
The structure serves as the seat of the bishop and forms a twin ensemble with Saint Severus Church, connected by a wide stone staircase. On feast days and during the Christmas market, this staircase becomes a gathering point for locals and visitors alike.
The main entrance faces Cathedral Square and can be reached by climbing a long outdoor staircase with 70 steps. The interior displays Gothic vaulted ceilings, tall windows, and several side chapels open for viewing during visiting hours.
The central tower houses the Maria Gloriosa, a bell cast in 1497 with a diameter of about 8 feet (2.5 meters), making it the largest free-swinging medieval bell in the world. It rings only on major church feast days and special occasions.
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