Location: Worms, Germany
Itinerary and full experience of my visit to Germany can be accessed through the link below:
If there is a reason to visit Worms, a city not mentioned in most travel itineraries to Germany then the Worms Cathedral would be the reason. Officially named as St Peter's Cathedral, this is one of numerous churches dotting the city and its most important due to its significance as the seat of the Catholic Prince-Bishopric of Worms. Of course, what drawn me to Worms in the first place is also my reason for visiting this cathedral - Worms Cathedral was a historical witness to the Diet of Worms of 1521, where Martin Luther was condemned as a heretic through the Edict of Worms. This was the turning point and the beginning of the Reformation Movement.
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| The frontal view of Worms Cathedral |
The cathedral itself was easy enough to spot and it did not take long for us to finish our tour of it. I arrived at the West End, where the twin corner towers and curved wall bade me welcome. Worms Cathedral has what is known in the architectural sense a Romanesque design, although some parts of it are added later in Gothic design. Its exterior reminded me of Speyer Cathedral with its towers and rounded apse. It was only later when I found out that Mainz, Speyer and Worms Cathedral formed the Rhenish Imperial Cathedrals in Upper Rhine area, further undermining its importance despite its relative obscurity in international travel scene.
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| Side view of Worms Cathedral |
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| Coat of Arms on one of the walls |
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| Windows on the apse |
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| Are these sarcophagi? |
Its interior was dotted with Gothic carvings but otherwise lacked mesmerizing artworks. Its bared red sandstone walls exuded an air of antiquity and solemnity, inviting me into its hushed halls to imagine how visitors and religious alike passed through this building since its consecration.
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| This main choir organ is known as Swallow's nest organ, designed Klais Orgelbau in 1985. It is a rather modern addition to an otherwise ancient building. |
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| Facing the altar |
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| A sexy looking sculpture |
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| Funerary monument of Domherr Eberhard von Heppenheim genannt vom Saal († 1559) (source: Wikipedia) - I mainly like this shot due to the angle. |
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| Votive candles |
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| Votive candles 2 |
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| Sculpture |
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| A scaled model of the cathedral and its surrounding |
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| Sculpture |
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| Apse |
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| Gothic carvings |
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| Bible |
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| Altar |
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| Statue of Bishop Buchard of Worms, the first Bishop of Worms. |
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| Door |
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| View of the apse |
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| Dramatic view |
This post is delayed numerous times. It is not too late for me to have posted it now though since this year marks the 1000th anniversary of Worms Cathedral, with the modern incarnation of the cathedral being consecrated on June 9, 1018.
Environment: A UNESCO Heritage List building in the old town area
Suitable for: History buffs, UNESCO hunters and art appreciators
Visit worthiness: 8/10
Entrance Fee: free
Historical value: 5.0/5.0
Architectural value: 4.0/5.0
Photographic value: 3.0/5.0
Landmark value: 4.0/5.0
Landmark value: 4.0/5.0
Entrance Fee: free
Opening Hours: (Apr - Oct) 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Closed during service
Best Moment to Visit: Anytime
Length of Visit: <1 hour
E-mail: Pfarramt@Wormser-Dom.de
Address: Wormser Dom, Dotzingergasse, 67547 Worms, Germany
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