What is the historical importance of Mainz Cathedral?
What is the historical importance of Mainz Cathedral?
The architecture, history, and significance of St. Martin's Cathedral (also called Mainz Cathedral), Mainz, Germany.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Saiko3p/Dreamstime.com
Transcript
NARRATOR: Of the three imperial cathedrals that line the banks of the River Rhine, Mainz is the oldest. The thick walls offer a haven from the hustle and bustle of the city outside. It's a historic place of refuge. The cathedral was once the center of one of the largest archbishoprics in the world. The archbishops of Mainz enjoyed the privilege of crowning Germany's rulers. The innumerable ornate tombs are one of the many attractions of this cathedral. In the Middle Ages, the archbishops of Mainz were kingmakers and influential politicians. Next to them, the kings-to-be seemed almost insignificant. The current Bishop of Mainz, Cardinal Lehmann, is an influential and cherished member of the clergy who's proud of his cathedral.
CARDINAL KARL LEHMANN: "You can almost smell the thousand-year-old history of this church. The sense of history is impossible to escape. It's ingrained into the very stones of the cathedral and I feel like I'm part of it."
NARRATOR: The cardinal has some tips to make a visit to his cathedral extra special.
LEHMANN: "The first thing is to take a seat and relax. Let the wonderful architecture of the place work its magic. I particularly like the charming harmony of the nave, but also the interplay between the eastern and western chancels. People disagree about the significance of the two chancels. And you should also take a walk around and pay a visit to St. Gotthard's Chapel with its exquisite crucifix. Just take a moment to have a look around and explore the place, maybe with a torch to hand. Some of the tombs have wonderful carvings that are only really visible when you shine a light directly on them."
NARRATOR: Dark and secretive, this cathedral is a window to another world. Follow the Cardinal's advice for the perfect visit and you'll be sure to enjoy the unique atmosphere of Mainz Cathedral. The cathedral organ is one of the largest in Europe. If the organist happens to be playing that day, then all the better. It makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
CARDINAL KARL LEHMANN: "You can almost smell the thousand-year-old history of this church. The sense of history is impossible to escape. It's ingrained into the very stones of the cathedral and I feel like I'm part of it."
NARRATOR: The cardinal has some tips to make a visit to his cathedral extra special.
LEHMANN: "The first thing is to take a seat and relax. Let the wonderful architecture of the place work its magic. I particularly like the charming harmony of the nave, but also the interplay between the eastern and western chancels. People disagree about the significance of the two chancels. And you should also take a walk around and pay a visit to St. Gotthard's Chapel with its exquisite crucifix. Just take a moment to have a look around and explore the place, maybe with a torch to hand. Some of the tombs have wonderful carvings that are only really visible when you shine a light directly on them."
NARRATOR: Dark and secretive, this cathedral is a window to another world. Follow the Cardinal's advice for the perfect visit and you'll be sure to enjoy the unique atmosphere of Mainz Cathedral. The cathedral organ is one of the largest in Europe. If the organist happens to be playing that day, then all the better. It makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.