The Great Golden Madonna: A millennium in Hildesheim Cathedral

The Great Golden Madonna: A millennium in Hildesheim Cathedral

In the heart of Hildesheim, a fascinating journey through time is taken to the art of the Middle Ages. The Dommuseum Hildesheim is devoted to a special exhibition of the over 1,000 -year -old Große Golden Madonna, one of the most important works of art in the Hildesheim cathedral treasures.

meaning of the Madonna

The Madonna, which dates from the time of the influential Bishop Bernward (950/60 to 1022), also played a central role in the 20th century in Hildesheim Cathedral. Museum director Claudia Höhl emphasizes that she was regularly carried in processions and exhibited on the high altar for veneration. In the Middle Ages, even the loan carriers and knights of the bishop had to make their oath in front of this statue. The fact that rich donations, including chains, robes, veils and crowns, were performed until the baroque period, illustrates the high priority that the artwork was in the company at the time.

insights into the exhibition

The exhibition, which can be seen until January 26th, deals intensively with the diverse transformations of the Madonna over the centuries. Special loans from other museums enable visitors to compare comparisons with other important works of art, such as the Golden Madonna in Essen or the Imad-Madonna in Paderborn. This comparison not only offers a unique insight into artistic development, but also into the religious anchoring of the Madonna in cultural history.

the cathedral and its history

The Hildesheimer Cathedral itself has a long and eventful history. Since the construction in 872, the building has been renovated and redesigned several times. The city fire in 1046 in particular led to considerable damage. The baroque decoration of the interior and the destruction in World War II characterize the current picture of the cathedral, which was re -consecrated in 1960 as the only cathedral in Germany. Today the Mariendom is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an important part of the cultural heritage of Hildesheim.

The influence on the community

The exhibition of the big golden Madonna is not only a tribute to an art, but also an important incentive for visitors to get to know the history and culture of Hildesheim better. By preserving and presenting such works of art, awareness of one's own culture is promoted and a deep understanding of the religious and social structures of the Middle Ages is given. The Madonna thus becomes a symbol of the historical and cultural value of a region that still has an impact on the community today.