Naumburg Cathedral St. Peter and Paul

Visitors to the cathedral are particularly fascinated by the donor figures in the west choir, which were created by an unnamed stone sculptor almost 800 years ago. They are moved by the variety of emotions in the figures: strong, fun-loving, melancholy, sensitive, proud, courageous and witty, the founders appear overwhelming when you consider that they were carved from stone around 1240 and yet seem so alive. One figure stands out in particular: Uta von Naumburg. Umberto Eco described her as the "most beautiful woman of the Middle Ages" - she appears proud but also mysterious.

Naumburg Cathedral also owes the planning, execution and decoration of the west choir and west rood screen, a masterpiece of human creativity, to her creator. It was the so-called "Naumburg Master" who came to Naumburg in the middle of the 13th century with his construction company, inspired by the Gothic cathedral architecture of France, and built his masterpiece here in just six years. This makes him an outstanding example of a living cultural exchange during the High Middle Ages.

The two rood screens in Naumburg Cathedral, which separate the choirs from the nave, are also impressive. Two preserved high medieval rood screens in one church are unique in the world! And they still show how the church was used back then. The east choir used to be the central space for the liturgy of the high clergy. The Romanesque and Gothic works of art in the cathedral allow visitors to experience medieval liturgy in a way that is hard to find anywhere else.

The cathedral's sacred treasures are displayed in the cathedral treasure vault. Over 30 exquisite works of art from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance fascinate visitors here, such as the St. John's Bowl from the early 13th century, the altar wing created by Lucas Cranach and the unique Naumburg Pietà. Entering the room is an experience in itself, as it covers an area of around 285 square meters, making it one of the largest Romanesque vaults in central Germany. The permanent exhibition in the cathedral area allows visitors to follow the creative path of the Naumburg master from France to Germany.

Another highlight: since 2007, the Elisabeth Chapel has been home to modern stained glass windows depicting key scenes from the life of the saint. They were designed by the internationally renowned Leipzig School painter Neo Rauch. They lend the chapel a particularly warm atmosphere, especially on sunny days.