Havelberg Cathedral, Lutheran cathedral in Havelberg, Germany.
Havelberg Cathedral is a religious building in Romanesque style with a massive westwork rising 30 meters (98 feet) high, containing three naves with Romanesque lower walls and Gothic vaulting. The building also houses a Renaissance baptismal font from the 15th century and shares space with the Prignitz Museum, which displays regional history in the former cloister rooms.
King Otto I founded the Bishopric of Havelberg in 946, prompting the cathedral's construction to begin in 1147 and its consecration in 1170. This building emerged during the period of German eastward expansion and shaped the region's development for centuries.
The cathedral contains medieval artworks such as grisaille windows from the 14th century, stone carvings, and intricate choir stalls that reflect the craftsmanship dedicated to religious spaces. These pieces show how communities invested in beautifying their place of worship over centuries.
The building is reachable on foot from the old town and sits on a hilltop with good views of the surroundings. Access is typically free, allowing visitors to explore both the interior and the museum exhibitions inside.
The westwork has no doors or windows in its lower section, creating a fortress-like appearance known as the Saxon westwork style. This feature sets the building apart from typical Gothic cathedrals and makes its defensive architecture quite distinctive.
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