Bamberg - Cathedral

Since 1007, when Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich II (Henry II) made Bamberg the seat of a diocese, the Bamberg Cathedral ("Bamberger Dom St. Peter und St. Georg") is the seat of the Archbishop of Bamberg.

The first cathedral on this place, founded in 1004 by Heinrich II and named "Heinrichsdom", got consecrated already in 1012. This building got destroyed by fire in 1085. Around 1215 the construction of the building seen here started. It was commisioned by Bishop Eckbert von Andechs-Meranien, brother of Hedwig von Andechs (aka Hedwig of Silesia). The new cathedral consecrated in 1237.

Unfortunately the entrance to the eastern crypt was locked - and I could only peep into it. This large, three nave crypt contains the tombs of Bishop Gunther von Bamberg, an important counsellor to Henry III, and Conrad III, the first German King of the House of Staufen and predecessor of Frederick I ( aka "Barbarossa"). Conrad was on his way to Rome, where he should become Holy Roman Emperor by Papal anointing and appointment, when he died in Bamberg in February 1152.