Mainz Cathedral

Mainz Cathedral, formally known as St. Martin Cathedral or Mainzer Dom in German, is located near the historical center of Mainz, Germany.

History

Mainz had its first christian community as early as 200 and is one of the oldest episcopal sees in Germany. The first cathedral of the time of the emperor Constantine was under the walls of St. John, a present-day protestant church. The construction of the medieval cathedral dates back to Archbishop Willigis (975-1010), who fostered the commerce of Mainz, an important medieval trade center. Building commenced in 975. Tragically, the cathedral burned down on the day of its inauguration in 1009. Archbishop Bardo von Oppertshafen (1031-1051) presided over the completion of the cathedral begun under Willigis. By 1037 the main portions of the body of Mainz Cathedral were complete. Most of the present day cathedral was built before the 14th century.

Related Topics:
Archbishop - Willigis

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It was at Mainz Cathedral on March 27, 1188, that Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, known as Frederick Barbarossa, symbolically took up the Cross and enlisted the military of the Holy Roman Empire in the Third Crusade called by Pope Gregory VIII.

Related Topics:
Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor - Frederick Barbarossa - Third Crusade - Pope Gregory VIII

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Mainz Cathedral has fallen victim to war damage over its long history. Prussian troops attempting to dislodge French Revolutionary forces from Mainz destroyed the east portion of the cathedral as they besieged the city in 1793. The Allies bombing of Mainz during World War II destroyed 80% of the inner city; fortunately the cathedral emerged with relatively little damage. The reconstruction of the cloister and the Chapel of St. Godhard, that had been damaged was completed in 1960.

Related Topics:
Prussian - French Revolutionary - Allies - World War II

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Mainz Cathedral is the site of the episcopal see of the Bishop of Mainz. In its prime the cathedral saw the coronation of German kings, who were subsequently crowned emperors by the Pope through the traditional political process of the Holy Roman Empire. The coronation of German kings was a rite afforded to the Bishop of Mainz during Mainz's status as an archdiocese from 747 to 1802, although most kings had been crowned in Aachen. The Bishop of Mainz held considerable secular power as a Prince-Elector within the Holy Roman Empire.

Related Topics:
Episcopal see - Bishop of Mainz - Pope - Holy Roman Empire - Archdiocese - Prince-Elector

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