Magdeburg - St. Sebastian

Founded by Charlemagne in 805 as Magadoburg, the town was fortified in 919 by King Henry the Fowler against the Magyars and Slavs. In 929 King Otto I granted the city to his English-born wife Edith as dower. At her death, Queen Edith was buried in the crypt of the Benedictine abbey of Saint Maurice, later rebuilt as the cathedral. In 937, Magdeburg was the seat of a royal assembly. Otto I was buried as well in the cathedral.

In 1035 Magdeburg received a patent giving the city the right to hold trade exhibitions and conventions. This was the basis of town law to become known as the Magdeburg rights. These laws were adopted and modified throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

In the 13th century, Magdeburg became a member of the Hanseatic League. With more than 20,000 inhabitants Magdeburg was one of the largest cities in the Holy Roman Empire.

During the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) Magdeburg was raided and probably 20.000 inhabitants lost their lives. A small group of 4000 people survived the "Sack of Magdeburg" by seeking refuge in the cathedral. Begging on his knees before the conqueror the head priest saved them.

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The foundation stone was laid around 1015. The foundation took place as a collegiate monastery. After several structural extensions, the Romanesque church building burned down in 1188 and 1207.

In the 14th century, the church was rebuilt in the Gothic style. At the beginning of the 15th century, the nave was remodeled with the aim of building a late Gothic hall church. The Romanesque ground plan was retained. In the course of the Reformation, Saint Sebastian became Protestant.

During the storming of Magdeburg in the Thirty Years' War on May 10, 1631, the church burned down. In 1663, the choir was rebuilt and a wooden vaulted ceiling was added.

During the French occupation, the monastery was dissolved in 1810 and the building served as a warehouse From 1823, the church was owned by the city of Magdeburg and was used as a wool warehouse.

In 1873, Saint Sebastian became the parish church of the Roman Catholic community. Renovations took place and from 1878 church services were held in the church again.

During WWII the church was also damaged. From 1949, Saint Sebastian served as the Episcopal Church of the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Paderborn. In 1994 Magdeburg again became an independent Catholic diocese. Saint Sebastian became the cathedral of the newly established diocese of Magdeburg and the seat of Magdeburg's cathedral chapter.