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.

Standing in the nave, facing the western "Peterschor" and area reserved for the Bishop and the cathedral chapter. The canons found their places in the stalls (1380) on the side, while the Bishop was seated elevated on the "cathedra" seen in the center behind the altar.
At the back of the "cathedra" (not to be seen from here) is the tomb of Pope Clement II. Suitger von Morsleben was Bishop of Bamberg since 1040. When Henry III in December 1046 during the Council of Sutri sacked the rivaling popes Gregory VI, Benedict IX and Sylvester III, Bishop Suitger von Morsleben became Pope Clement II. On Christmas Day 1046, Pope Clement II was consecrated and - after that- Henry and and his wife Agnes of Poitou were crowned Holy Roman Emperor and Empress.

Pope Clement II died in Italy (under strange circumstances) not even a year. His corpse was transferred back to Bamberg and interred here.