Henry Cathedral
In 1004/1005 Henry commissioned the construction of the first cathedral, built on a hill and erected on the foundation of a chapel and the adjoining cemetery of the Babenburg (the ancient village of Bamberg).
On the birthday of Henry II, May 6th in 1012, the cathedral was consecrated in a solemn ceremony, in the presence of 45 bishops of the Holy Roman Empire, in honor of the Apostle St. Paul, St. George and the Virgin Mary.
The cathedral had, instead of the four towers today, just two on the east choir. Its 75-meter length distinguished it from the other rather modest 11th century cathedrals, Mainz and Speyer. The low ceiling and the completely wooden vault suggested a fateful destiny.
In the night of Easter in 1081, a fire broke out in the cathedral, destroying part of the roof structure, the two towers, and precious furnishings. However, as revealed by archaeological studies, the damage to the foundations and to the bearing structure may have been so slight that a complete new reconstruction was abandoned.
As, in an even more devastating fire in the year 1185, the cathedral and the adjacent buildings were almost completely destroyed, the construction of the second cathedral was begun around 1190, under bishop Timo and bishop Otto II,
The two fires of the cathedral meant that today hardly anything is reminiscent of the original appearance of the first cathedral. Only on the inside some elements have been preserved, like some parts of the western crypt. During the archaeological studies in 2012, in a forgotten room, a part of the Chapel of St. Gertrude, further remains of the ancient Cathedral of Henry were discovered.
To get an idea of the appearance of the first cathedral, you can visit St. Jakob Church, which is just a few minutes walk over to the Cathedral Square. Although it was completed about 100 years after the Cathedral of Henry, this church is also structured as a three-aisled pillared basilica, whose interior architecture has hardly changed to date.
The current cathedral
After 40 years of construction, the second cathedral of Bamberg was inaugurated in 1237 as the Eckbert Cathedral. The interior has been redesigned much more sumptuous and decorated with elaborate sculptures, such as the Bamberg Knight.
The cathedral extends today for a length of 98 meters. Its four towers, more than 75 meters high, give the building a majestic aura. The cathedral has an east choir and a west choir. After the end of the Roman model, the main altar was placed in the west choir instead of the east choir. During the years of construction, the stylistic periods changed from Romanesque to Gothic, and because of this both styles can be admired in numerous architectural details, such as the Romanesque arches or the Gothic rosettes. It is proven that many artists and sculptors, both German and foreign, came to Bamberg to participate to the construction of the cathedral.
The Knight of Bamberg
The interior of the cathedral can be reached through four portals: the Veitspforte (St. Veit Portal), the Fürstenportal (the Prince Portal), the Gnadenportal (the Grace Portal) and the Adamspforte (the Adam Gate). If you enter the cathedral through the Prince Portal, which was the only open on special occasions, then the sight would immediately fall on one of the most famous equestrian statues of all time: the Knight of Bamberg.
The knight soon became the landmark of Bamberg, and it´s considered one of the most valuable treasures of European art history. The knight is presumed to be King Stephen of Hungary. He came to Bamberg to marry the sister of Emperor Henry, although he was not member of any denomination. As the legend tells, he used to ride his horse directly inside the cathedral. After years of studies, the results confirmed that the famous Bamberg knight really represents King Stephen.
Other artworks
Another monument in honor of King Stephen was built by bishop Ekbert in 1235. The reason was the gratitude of the bishop to the Hungarian State. His sister was Queen of Hungary, and when her brother Ekbert was suspected of the murder of King Philip of Swabia and had to leave Bamberg, she allowed him to come to Hungary with her.
In the following generations numerous other works of art were created. In 1499, the Cathedral Chapter commissioned Tilman Riemenschneider to build a grave for the imperial couple, in which the two could find eternal rest. Riemenschneider recreated on the sarcophagus legendary scenes. The side of Empress Cunegonde shows two legends that are said to have happened in Bamberg: “the proof of the ploughshare” and “the miracle of the Pfennig (Pfennig, a former German currency)”
During her lifetime, the emperor’s wife often walked across the Cathedral Square, but had no easy time in Bamberg. She was suspected of unfaithfulness by Henry, and since as a woman in the Middle Ages she could not swear, all the protestations of her innocence were not listened. Thereupon Cunegonde gave in to the judgment of God. She lighted up a fire in front of the Court, in which plowshares were heated. Cunegonde is said to have run barefoot over the hot iron in front of a large crowd, without being harmed.
