Eichstaett - Cathedral

A church was erected here already within the 8th century. It was built by Saint Willibald, who was the first bishop of the Diocese of Eichstaett.

Saint Willibald was born in England into a remarkable family. His father was Saint Richard of Wessex, his brother was Saint Winibald, his sister was Saint Walburga - and Saint Boniface (who founded the Diocese of Eichstaett) may have been his uncle. Willibald was a very travelled man, he has not only been in Rome, but as well visited the Holy Land. His shrine is in this cathedral.

The cathedral seen today is 98 meters long. It was erected in Gothic style between 1256 and 1510 and so covers the Gothic style from the very beginning to it´s famboyant heyday.

The cathedral had a Romaneque cloister, that was replaced by this Gothic one. It took from 1410 - 1504 to complete the new cloister. Seen here is the northern wing, with it´s unusual ribbed vaulting.