Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche, Romanesque church in Hildesheim, Germany.
Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche is a Romanesque church building in Hildesheim featuring three naves divided by pillar arcades, with a narrower structure on each side. Inside you will find a 15th-century winged altar dedicated to Mary, a baptismal font dating from 1592, and wooden carvings spanning multiple periods.
The structure was originally built as a fortified complex during Bishop Altfrid's time to protect the cathedral area and was later transformed into a church with a monastery under Bishop Hezilo. This change shifted the building's role from defensive to spiritual purposes.
The name refers to a sacred relic of the cross that was once venerated here, making this place an important destination for pilgrims over centuries. You can still see the ornate altars and wooden carvings today that show how deeply people valued this location.
The church sits about a hundred meters east of Hildesheim Cathedral on Kreuzstrasse and is easily reached on foot. The elevated location gives visitors a clear view of the surrounding area when approaching the building.
The western entrance was rebuilt in 1712 with Italian Baroque style, featuring sandstone statues of the apostles Peter and Paul on either side of the portal. This southern artistic influence gives the otherwise Romanesque church an unexpected character.
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