Dom St.Peter und Paul in Brandenburg

The Dom St. Peter und Paul in Brandenburg, also known by its local name Dom St. Peter und Paul, stands as a monumental testament to the rich historical and architectural heritage of Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany. This magnificent cathedral, often referred to as the Cradle of the Margraviate of Brandenburg, is not only the largest church building in the city but also a beacon of cultural and historical significance.

The Historical Significance of Dom St. Peter und Paul in Brandenburg

The history of Dom St. Peter und Paul in Brandenburg dates back to the 10th century when the first bishopric was established by Otto I in 948 to aid the Christian mission among the Slavs. Although this initial effort was short-lived, the bishopric was re-established in 1161, setting the stage for the construction of the cathedral. The foundation stone was laid in 1165, marking the beginning of a centuries-long evolution from a Romanesque single-nave hall church to a grand Gothic basilica.

The cathedral's location on the highest point of the Dominsel (Cathedral Island) between the Beetzsee and the Havel River was strategic. However, this decision came with challenges, as the foundation had to be laid on inhomogeneous cultural soil, leading to various structural issues over the years. Despite these challenges, the cathedral has stood the test of time, evolving through various architectural styles and historical periods.

From Romanesque Roots to Gothic Grandeur

The initial construction phase under Bishop Wilmar saw the creation of a Romanesque, cross-shaped hall church with a flat ceiling. By the end of the 12th century, the cathedral underwent significant changes, transitioning towards a flat-ceilinged pillar basilica. The foundation excavations reveal plans for a westwork similar to the Havelberg Cathedral, but a two-tower facade was ultimately pursued. The North Tower's ground floor and the South Tower's low stump are remnants of these early plans.

Under Bishop Gernand, who hailed from Magdeburg, the cathedral was renewed and expanded in the early Gothic style. The construction of the two-aisled, four-bay hall crypt beneath the elevated choir began during this period. Although hall crypts were uncommon at that time, this addition reflected the transitional architectural styles. The crypt's ceiling vault, completed in the early 14th century, features grotesque-adorned capitals with a blend of Romanesque and Gothic elements.

The late Gothic choir, constructed in the mid-15th century on the Romanesque foundations of its predecessor, and the subsequent Gothic vaulting of the nave, replaced the flat ceiling, marking the final significant structural transformation of the cathedral. The nave features five bays, while the side aisles each have seven bays leading to the crossing. The transept arms and choir are single-naved, creating a harmonious architectural flow.

Modern Modifications and Restorations

The upper floors of the North Tower were added between 1669 and 1672, featuring post-Gothic elements. The North Tower's facade is adorned with stone coats of arms of the Great Elector and the then cathedral canons. To stabilize the towers, three massive buttresses were added to the western front.

In the early 19th century, Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel undertook significant restoration and remodeling efforts. Schinkel clad the upper part of the west gable in Neo-Gothic style and added crenellations to the South Tower's stump. The formerly open access to the crypt was overbuilt with a monumental stone staircase leading from the nave to the high choir. A colorful rose window was installed above the main portal, and the Renaissance-style dome was replaced with a Gothic-inspired tower hood, which remains to this day.

Remarkably, the cathedral survived World War II with minimal damage thanks to air raid precautions. In the 1960s, the 800th anniversary of the cathedral's foundation stone laying prompted further structural improvements, including the removal of Schinkel's stone staircase to restore the medieval condition. The restoration of the North Cloister was completed in 2009, and ongoing renovations have aimed to return the interior color scheme to its medieval origins.

Artistic Treasures and Sacred Relics

Dom St. Peter und Paul in Brandenburg houses an impressive collection of artworks spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The cathedral and its museum feature medieval tomb slabs of bishops, provosts, cathedral canons, and laypeople, including notable figures such as Bishops Joachim von Bredow, Johannes von Thuchem, and Stephan Bodecker. A marble and alabaster epitaph for the 1621 deceased dean Adam von Königsmarck, attributed to Christoph Dehne, hangs in the nave.

Among the cathedral's altarpieces, the intricately designed Bohemian Altar, dating to 1375, stands out. This triptych, donated by the Bohemian King and Emperor Charles IV, features carved figures of a Marian coronation with four saints, flanked by twelve saints and painted scenes from the lives of Peter and Paul. The Lehnin Altar, created in 1518 for the Cistercian Monastery of Lehnin, occupies the high choir. It showcases three colorful carved figures: a Madonna in a radiance, flanked by Peter and Paul, with paintings of Benedict of Nursia, Mary Magdalene, Bernard of Clairvaux, and Saint Ursula on the altar wings.

Other notable features in the high choir include a six-hundred-year-old three-gable shrine for storing liturgical vestments, a Gothic tabernacle, choir stalls, and a large 15th-century crucifixion group above the choir's crossing. The crypt houses a late Romanesque triumphal cross from around 1250 and a Man of Sorrows with a crown of thorns and wounds, symbolizing Christ's suffering.

The Dom Museum

The adjacent Domklausur (cathedral cloister) buildings now host the Dom Museum, which showcases a vast collection of liturgical vestments, textiles, books, sculptures, and altars. Among the museum's treasures is a 15th-century panel painting, the People-rich Calvary, and the elaborately embroidered Brandenburg Hunger Cloth from around 1290, depicting the life of Christ on a 2 by 4-meter canvas. The museum also holds the foundation charter of the Bishopric of Brandenburg from 948, bearing Otto I's seal, and documents mentioning the cities of Cölln in 1237 and Berlin in 1244.

The Wagner Organ

The cathedral's Wagner organ, built between 1723 and 1725 by Joachim Wagner, is a rare gem, largely preserved in its original condition. Its prospect, created by Johann Georg Glume, a pupil of Schlüter, rises above the stained-glass rose window incorporated into the nave's partition wall by Schinkel. The organ boasts 33 registers (2010 pipes) on two manuals and pedals. It was meticulously restored by Schuke (Potsdam) between 1997 and 1999.

In conclusion, Dom St. Peter und Paul in Brandenburg is not merely a historic monument but a living chronicle of Brandenburg's spiritual, cultural, and architectural evolution. Its walls echo the tales of centuries past, making it an unmissable destination for anyone visiting this charming city.