Main entrance to Mainz Cathedral closed for a week – detour necessary!

Main entrance to Mainz Cathedral closed for a week – detour necessary!

From Monday, July 21st, visitors to Mainz Cathedral will have to take a detour when entering. Due to necessary repair work on the defective sewer house connection under the main entrance, this section will be temporarily closed. An open-construction approach will force the entrance path to be dug up, which is expected to take a week unless further damage is discovered. The [Sensor](https://sensor-magazin.de/aufnahme-zum-mainzer-dom-muss-voruebergehend-verlegen- Werden/) has reported that trade fair guests have to be guided through Liebfrauenplatz and the Liebfrauenportal to the Domstrasse/Kreuzgang entrance. There is something to be said for this – the relevant signage will be put up in good time.

Mainz Cathedral, also known as the “Cathedral Church of St. Martin and St. Stephen”, is a true icon of the city. Located in the heart of Mainz's old town, it has strutted in all its splendor in the squares around it since 975 under Archbishop Willigis. It was originally built to underline the archbishops' importance in church and imperial politics. So Kuladig describes the cultural and historical significance of this building. It is amazing that the cathedral was able to retain its original splendor after repeated fire damage - a fate that marked many years of history.

The turbulent history of the cathedral

Interestingly, the cathedral experienced one or two turning points in its more than 1,000-year history. After the first devastating fire in 1009, just one day before its consecration, the building was restored until 1036 under Archbishop Bardo. There was another fire in 1081, after which the cathedral was restored by Emperor Henry IV. The nave and east choir were completed in 1137. The Mainz Cathedral not only achieved ecclesiastical importance, but was also a central element of the Rhenish imperial cathedrals, along with Worms and Speyer.

In addition to the fires mentioned, the cathedral also had to survive the destruction caused by wars and renovations and expansions. Comprehensive security measures were carried out between 1914 and 1928. In order to preserve its appearance, the building was last renovated from 2001 to 2013, which ushered in a true renaissance around the cathedral. It is undisputed that this building, with a length of 116 meters and an impressive height of 80 meters (crossing tower), is one of the highlights of the German Romanesque period.

The next stage

The current construction work shows once again how important the constant care and preservation of the cathedral is. Despite all the changes, the three-aisled vaulted basilica with its Gothic side chapels remains a timeless monument that breathes history and attracts visitors from near and far. This means that Mainz Cathedral remains not only a center of faith, but also a cultural attraction for everyone who wants to experience the city's history. The construction project is therefore seen as a necessary measure to preserve the cathedral in its full splendor.