St.-Cyriakus-Kirche

St.-Cyriakus-Kirche, also known locally as St. Cyriakus, is a stunning Roman Catholic basilica situated in the picturesque town of Duderstadt in Lower Saxony, Germany. This grand church stands as the main religious edifice of the town and the surrounding region of Untereichsfeld, often affectionately referred to as the Eichsfeld Cathedral. Since October 3, 2015, it has been designated a papal Basilica minor, a testament to its significance and beauty.

The Architectural Marvel of St.-Cyriakus-Kirche

The architecture of St.-Cyriakus-Kirche is a magnificent blend of Gothic artistry. This three-aisled hall church with a basilical choir is a visual delight, reflecting the growing prosperity and self-confidence of the Duderstadt citizens over centuries. The church’s construction began around 1240 with the building of the monumental early Gothic westwork, initially intended to feature two octagonal towers. However, only the northern tower was completed, serving as a watchtower for the city’s guardian, known as the Tornemann. The church’s impressive portal, inspired by the main portal of the Elisabeth Church in Marburg, showcases a tympanum featuring a Baroque depiction of the Madonna, flanked by two angels swinging incense burners.

By 1394, the Romanesque choir was replaced with a high Gothic three-bay choir featuring a five-sided apse, with Wilhelm Knoke as the leading master builder. The subsequent replacement of the Romanesque nave with a Gothic one, constructed around the old nave to allow uninterrupted services, was completed in 1490. This phase saw the church’s vaulting, sponsored by Heinrich Helmold, a native of Duderstadt and then-mayor of Göttingen.

In 1852, much of Duderstadt, including the roofs of the north tower and the nave, was devastated by fire. The subsequent reconstruction, led by Conrad Wilhelm Hase, included the addition of the south tower, mirroring the north tower. Both towers now stand at approximately 65 meters tall. A significant interior renovation in 2016 introduced new lighting and color schemes, making the church’s interior brighter and more welcoming.

A Treasure Trove of Art and History

The interior of St.-Cyriakus-Kirche is a treasure trove of art and history, featuring a wealth of artistic works primarily from the Gothic and Baroque periods. The high altar, a late Gothic winged altar created around 1510, is a centerpiece. Its intricate reliefs depict scenes from the life of Christ, framed by Gothic tracery. During Advent and Lent, the altar is closed, revealing a painting of the Annunciation to Mary by Otto von dem Hagen, created in 1879.

The church’s walls house a 15th-century sacrament house, a piscina, and a sedilia niche, along with 1876 stained glass windows above the high altar, designed in the Nazarene style. The baroque choir stalls, once occupied by city council members during services, add to the church’s historical charm.

The late Gothic pulpit, adorned with a 19th-century sounding board, stands prominently in the north aisle, ensuring the preacher’s voice reaches the entire congregation without amplification. Life-sized sculptures of the twelve apostles, created by Baroque artist Andreas Kersten between 1678 and 1687, adorn the main nave’s pillars and the choir’s services. Kersten’s other works, including figures of the Good Shepherd and the Madonna, and statues of Saints Nicholas of Myra and John of Nepomuk, enrich the church’s artistic heritage.

In the northern side choir, known as the Johannis Choir, visitors can admire a Gothic relief of the Lamentation of Christ from 1490 and the God the Father or Throne of Grace altar, dating back to around 1470. This altar, originally from the St. Martini hospital, features depictions of saints and biblical scenes, retaining its medieval iconography despite 19th-century modifications.

The southern aisle houses a richly decorated Baroque marble baptismal font from 1694, with a lid depicting the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. Nearby is a detailed relief of the Holy Kinship from the early 16th century, likely part of an altar retable. The church’s walls also display Stations of the Cross by Otto von dem Hagen from 1882, and Baroque processional and guild poles, or Gildeleuchter, depicting various guilds’ patron saints.

One of the church’s unique features is its 80 figuratively crafted and painted keystones in the vaults, depicting Christ and numerous saints. In the western part of the main nave’s vault, remnants of a medieval painting add to the historical ambiance. St.-Cyriakus-Kirche also houses numerous other statues, paintings, and epitaphs, including a Baroque Madonna and a Pietà from 1870.

Among the most precious items in the church’s treasury is the Nordhausen Cross, an early Gothic processional cross adorned with semi-precious and precious stones, believed to contain relics of the True Cross. Acquired from the Nordhausen canonry in 1672, it remains a significant relic.

The Creutzburg Organ

The church’s musical heritage is marked by the Creutzburg organ, commenced by organ builder Johannes Creutzburg on April 23, 1733, and completed in 1735. This organ, one of Creutzburg’s largest and most significant works, continues to resonate through the basilica, adding a melodious backdrop to its historical and artistic splendor.

St.-Cyriakus-Kirche is not just a place of worship; it is a living museum of Duderstadt’s rich history and artistic heritage, a testament to the town’s enduring spirit and cultural wealth. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an art lover, or a spiritual seeker, a visit to this magnificent basilica promises a journey through time and an unforgettable experience.