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Speyer Cathedral
Speyer Cathedral, officially the Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St Stephen, is the world's largest surviving Romanesque church. It was founded in the 11th century by Emperor Conrad II as a burial site for Salian dynasty rulers, intended to manifest the power of the imperial crown. The architecture is renowned for its monumental west facade and the expansive crypt, which is considered the largest Romanesque columned crypt in Europe. In 1981, it became the second German monument to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. For centuries, it served as the final resting place for eight German emperors and kings, as well as several queens. Despite significant damage during the War of the Palatine Succession and the French Revolution, the cathedral was repeatedly restored and remains a profound example of Romanesque design and imperial history.
- Location: Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- Top sights: ♂♂ Binsfeld-Kap (FKK) · ♂♂ Binsfeld (FKK) · ♂♀ Binsfeld III (FKK)
- Nearby: Hockenheim (8 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 65 | 52 | 54 | 44 | 75 | 62 | 70 | 71 | 50 | 61 | 63 | 72 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The foundation stone was laid around the year 1030.
- The cathedral's crypt was consecrated as early as 1041.
- The total length of the cathedral is 134 meters.
- Eight emperors and kings, along with four queens, are buried in the crypt.
- The towers of the cathedral reach a height of up to 71.2 meters.
- In 1689, the cathedral was heavily damaged by the troops of Louis XIV.
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Sights in the town Speyer Cathedral (3)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Is the cathedral a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Who is buried in the crypt?
What architectural style is the cathedral?
Can the towers be visited?
What is the Domnapf?
Speyer Cathedral: where is it located?
Speyer Cathedral: what is there to see?
Speyer Cathedral: when is the best time to visit?
Speyer Cathedral: why is it worth visiting?
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