History

Domus Dei, the Lübeck Cathedral

People built cathedrals. They did it for the praise of God, they tested their technical skills at the same time - and they built cathedrals because these towers, which determined the image of the city from afar, gave the city an unmistakable face visible from afar and have a community-forming character. 850 years ago, people built Lübeck Cathedral and the other Lübeck churches in an area where hardly any people lived before, on a scale that leaves all considerations of utility far behind.

A short journey through time

Around 1160, the Saxon duke Henrich the Lion orders the construction of a wooden church in the south of the city hill.
In 1163, a wooden church is built on the site of today's cathedral and consecrated by Bishop Gerold in the presence of Henry the Lion.
In 1173 Duke Henry the Lion and t Bishop Henry I jointly lay the foundation stone for a large stone cathedral.
In 1247 the Romanesque cathedral is completed and consecrated. Patrons are John the Baptist and Nicholas.
In 1255, under Bishop John of Dienst, construction of a Paradise porch begins.
In 1266, an extension to the east with a Gothic cathedral choir begins.
In 1341 the extension is completed and consecrated by Bishop John of Mul.
In 1477 Bishop Albert II Krummediek donates a large triumphal cross, erected by Bernt Notke.
Palmarum (March 29) 1942 the old town of Lübeck is bombed. The cathedral is hit and very badly damaged. A large part of the furnishings burns.
By 1950, all 17 Gothic vaults and the Paradise collapse.
Reconstruction of the badly damaged cathedral begins in 1949.
1960 to 1977 the Gothic choir is also rebuilt.
1970 Inauguration of the interior in its present form.
In 1982, the restoration of the Paradise vestibule is completed.

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