The Cathedral and its treasure - Halberstadt

YOUR GATEWAY TO THE HARZ MOUNTAINS
The Cathedral and its treasure

The Halberstadt Cathedral
of St Stephen and St Sixtus
One of the most beautiful Gothic church
buildings in Germany
Visible from far away, church towers
characterise the skyline of Halberstadt,
ancient center at the northern
foothills of the Harz mountains.
Around 804, Carl the Great founded
here the oldest bishopric of Central
Germany. For over 1200 year, the
cathedral of St Stephen and St Sixtus
has been the spiritual heart of the
town and the whole region. Fascinating
works of art give witness of its
turbulent history.

The Cathedral
of St Stephen
and St Sixtus
Following the example of French
cathedrals, the cathedral church
which is nowadays open for
visitors, was erected between
1236 and 1486.
The windows of the cathedral
choir are illuminated by 290
medieval stained glass paintings.
The most important piece of
equipment is considered to be
the larger than life crucifixion
group created around 1220,
a masterpiece of medieval
sculptors. The magnificent Gothic
church hall is still being used
for mass as well as for concerts
during the summer months.

The Cathedral treasure
One of the most valuable church treasures
worldwide

The Cathedral
treasure
Comprising more than 650 exhibits,
the Halberstadt cathedral treasure
is considered to be one of the most
comprehensive church treasures of
its kind. This unique ensemble of
medieval works of art was originally
intended for the service at the Halberstadt
episcopal church. We owe
the preservation of the cathedral
treasure to a diocesan chapter of
mixed confession which took care
of the cathedral and its equipment
between 1591 and 1810.
The cathedral treasure comprises
all art forms commonly practised
in the Middle Ages – altar paintings
and sculptures, manuscripts
and furniture, bronze figures and
goldsmithing work. World famous
are the master pieces of textile art
which include the Romanesque
Apostles tapestry from the period
around 1170.
A new, considerably larger exhibition
of the cathedral treasure will be
opened in the rooms of the cathedral
enclosure on 13 April 2008.
Some 400 treasure exhibits will then
be presented in new splendour at
their traditional site.

Events
When the cathedral organ resounds with its more than 5100
pipes throughout the splendid interior of the building, the
cathedral is at its perfection.
From June through October, concerts are held here each
Saturday at 6 pm. Apart from the organ, the audience is
entertained by several choirs, including the Halberstadt
cathedral choir and renowned boys choirs. These evening
concerts are usually opened by the sound of the cathedral
bells.
The Cathedral Festival held on the first weekend in June
attracts visitors from near and far every year. On this
occasion, the church choir and the local theatre present a
series of outstanding performances from Friday to Sunday,
including ballet, choir, play and orchestra performances
staged inside the cathedral’s nave.
Contact: www.kirchenmusik.de
For other events, see www.halberstadt.de
Throughout the year, we propose numerous lectures, special
exhibitions and topic-related guided tours with respect to
the cathedral treasure.
Also children and their parents are invited to discover the
cathedral with all their senses. For current appointments
and prizes, visit www.dom-und-domschatz.de or www.
halberstadt.de.
Domschatzverwaltung
(Cathedral Treasure office)
Domplatz 16a
D-38820 Halberstadt
Phone: ++49 3941 24237
mail@dom and domschatz.de

Halberstadt Information
Information and booking through:
Halberstadt Information
Hinter dem Rathause 6
38820 Halberstadt
Phon: ++49 3941 551815
E-mail: halberstadt-info@halberstadt.de
www.halberstadt.de
GUIDED TOWN TOURS
Discover the monuments of a 1200-year old town, daily,
duration 90 minutes
Price: 48.00 € for groups up to 25 persons, each additional
person 2.00 €
Foreign language tours against extra charge
GUIDED TOUR TO THE CATHEDRAL
including the world-famous cathedral treasure
Tuesday to Sunday, duration: 75 minutes
Price: 6.00 € per person (reduced 4.00 €)
on prior demand also in English or
with own interpreter
ROAD OF ROMANESQUE ART
Embark on a discovery tour on one of Germany’s most favorite
tourism roads. Go and admire the Romanesque buildings at
Halberstadt, Gernrode and Quedlinburg!
Services included:
2 overnights with breakfast at Halberstadt
1 information folder with welcome gift
1 midday meal (three course)
guided tours and visits
Bookable all year, Friday to Sunday
(Arrival and transfer with own car)
Price p.p. sharing a double room single room extra charge
3-star hotel 93.00 € 30.00 €
4-star hotel 129.00 € 32.00 €
■
TREASURES OF THE MIDDLE AGES
Along the Road of Romanesque Art
Halberstadt – Quedlinburg – Naumburg
Programme/Services:
2 overnights/breakfast at Halberstadt
2 overnights/breakfast at Naumburg
2 two-course meals
2 three-course meals
■ Guided city tour and visit to St Stephen’s cathedral including
its treasure at Halberstadt
■ Guided city tour and visit to the collegiate church of St Servatii
at Quedlinburg
■ Guided city tour and visit to the SS Peter and Paul cathedral
at Naumburg
■ Visit to the Rotkäppchen Sparkling Wine Cellars or a regional
wine producer
■ Visit to the “Arche Nebra” event center near the discovery site
of the Nebra skydisk
Bookable from April through October
Price p.p. sharing a double room*** 279.00 €
double room**** 329.00 €
TWO TREASURES AT ONE GLANCE
A weekend at Halberstadt and Quedlinburg including visits of
the cathedral and collegiate church treasures.
Services included:
2 overnights with breakfast at Halberstadt
1 midday meal
2 evening meals
Guided tours at Halberstadt and Quedlinburg
Entrance fee to the Halberstadt cathedral and the Quedlinburg
collegiate church
Bookable from May through October, Friday to Sunday
Price p.p. sharing a double room*** 145.00 €
single room extra charge 32.00 €

Opening hours
The cathedral and its treasure exhibition are open from
May through October
Monday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday/holiday 11 am to 5 pm
The treasure exhibition is closed on Mondays.
November through April
Tuesday to Sunday 11 am to 4 pm
Halberstadt Information tourist office
Opening hours
May through October
Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Saturday 10 am to 2 pm
Sunday 10 am to 1 pm
November through April
Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Saturday 10 am to 1 pm
How to get here
Halberstadt is located about 55 km southwest of Magdeburg
and about 150 km southeast of Hanover at the B 79 and B 81
A-roads. Easily accessible also by car, using the four-lane B6n
express road.
By train: direct access through the Interregio lines Halle-Hanover
and Berlin-Magdeburg-Wernigerode.
The nearest airports are those of Leipzig/Halle (approx. 100 km)
as well as Hanover and Berlin (approx. 150 km).
Booking/Information
Halberstadt Information
Phone: ++49 3941 551815, Email: halberstadt-info@halberstadt.de
Cathedral treasure office (church music)
Phone/Fax: ++49 3941 24237, mail@dom-und-domschatz.de

The Hunting Lodge
This hunting lodge was built by the
cathedral canon Freiherr von Spiegel
in 1782. Its basement houses a giant
wine barrel having a capacity of more
than 144.000 liters. Come and enjoy the
breathtaking view from here over the town
of Halberstadt as well as excellent food and
home-made cake.
During the summer months, we welcome
you also in our beer garden.
The lower platform of the hunting
lodge often serves as a stage for cultural
performances under the label of ArtKulTour.
Four cosy double-rooms for overnight stays
are available as well.
Restaurant Jagdschloss
In den Spiegelsbergen 6
D-38820 Halberstadt
Phone: ++49 3941 583995
Email: jagdschloss_hbs@web.de
www.jagdschloss-halberstadt.de
IMPRINT
Editor: Halberstadt tourist office in cooperation with the
Cathedral Treasure office
Text: Cathedral Treasure office
Pictures: Cathedral Treasure office, U. Schrader,
Halberstadt tourist office
Layout: Martin Witschaß
Print: Halberstädter Druckhaus