Plizio Visual Lab
Speyer Cathedral
Speyer Cathedral, officially the Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St Stephen, is one of the most significant architectural monuments of the Holy Roman Empire and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981. Built under the Salian emperors in the 11th century, it is considered the largest preserved Romanesque church in the world. Construction began around 1030 under Conrad II and was completed in 1106 under Henry IV. For centuries, the cathedral served as the burial place for German emperors and kings, housing eight rulers and several queens. Its monumental architecture, featuring four distinctive towers and two domes, influenced the development of Romanesque building art across Europe. In 1689, the cathedral was severely damaged during the War of the Palatine Succession and was partially reconstructed and expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries. Particularly impressive is the crypt, which has remained almost entirely in its original state. Today, the cathedral is not only an episcopal church but also a symbol of the power and Christian faith of medieval Europe.
- Location: Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- Top sights: Skulpturengarten · Purrmann-Haus · Elwedritsche-Museum Speyer
- Nearby: Hockenheim (8 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 65 | 52 | 54 | 44 | 75 | 62 | 70 | 71 | 50 | 61 | 63 | 72 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The total length of the cathedral is 134 meters.
- The central nave reaches a height of 33 meters.
- In the imperial vault, 8 emperors and kings and 4 queens are buried.
- The cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1981 as the second German monument.
- The cathedral's crypt is the largest preserved Romanesque hall crypt in Europe.
- The 'Domnapf' bowl in front of the main portal holds about 1,580 liters and was formerly filled with wine to celebrate new bishops.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Speyer Cathedral (10)
Heiliggeistkirche
Church building in Speyer used for services and cultural events.
Altpörtel
Medieval west gate of Speyer's city fortifications, a landmark of the old town.
Städtische Galerie
Municipal gallery with rotating art exhibitions in Speyer.
Kunstverein Speyer e.V.
Art association promoting visual arts with regular exhibitions in Speyer.
Augustinerkloster⛪ monastery
Former Augustinian monastery in Speyer, now used for cultural purposes.
Zimmertheater Speyer
Small theater offering intimate performances in Speyer.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Is Speyer Cathedral a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Who is buried in the Imperial Crypt?
Can you climb the cathedral tower?
What is unique about the architecture?
Is there an entry fee for the cathedral?
Speyer Cathedral: where is it located?
Speyer Cathedral: what is there to see?
Speyer Cathedral: when is the best time to visit?
Speyer Cathedral: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
