Rottenburg Cathedral

Nestled in the charming town of Rottenburg am Neckar, the Rottenburg Cathedral, known locally as Dom St. Martin, stands as a beacon of historical richness and architectural splendor. This magnificent edifice, dedicated to St. Martin of Tours, serves as the cathedral for the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, and its storied past and intricate design continue to captivate visitors from around the globe.

The History of Rottenburg Cathedral

The origins of Rottenburg Cathedral date back to around 1280 when a modest early Gothic chapel dedicated to Our Lady was erected on the town's marketplace. At that time, the parish church was located in the village of Sülchen outside the city and was dedicated to St. Martin. By 1424, the chapel had been replaced by a grand Gothic city parish church, which took on the name and dedication of St. Martin from the Sülchen church. This three-aisled basilica was built with an irregular floor plan to accommodate the existing street layout and the base of the Romanesque tower, which still protrudes into the church's choir today.

The most significant artistic addition to the church came with the construction of the late Gothic openwork spire, which remains the most prominent feature of the cathedral. Standing at 58 meters tall, the tower has become an iconic symbol of Rottenburg. However, the city fire of 1644 necessitated a comprehensive reconstruction, which culminated in a Baroque-style consecration by the Rottenburg-born auxiliary bishop of Constance, Georg Sigismund Müller, on September 8, 1655. During this period, the church was baroqued, the columns were reinforced, and a barrel vault was installed, although the irregular floor plan remained unchanged.

In 1821, with the establishment of a diocese for the Kingdom of Württemberg, Rottenburg, being the city with the highest Catholic population, was designated as the bishop's seat. Despite initial resistance from the first bishop, Johann Baptist von Keller, the parish church of St. Martin was elevated to the status of a cathedral while continuing to serve as the town's parish church. Although its architectural irregularities and small size were seen as unworthy of a bishop's church, no new construction plans have come to fruition. The cathedral underwent significant renovations between 1998 and 2002, overseen by Rottenburg architect Johannes Manderscheid, which included the refurbishment of the sacristy.

The Tower

The lower levels of the tower were originally built in 1280 as part of the Our Lady chapel. When the church was expanded from 1424 onwards, this massive tower was retained, necessitating an off-center choir from the nave's central axis. The upper levels, constructed from 1486 onwards, feature an intricate openwork pyramid, likely influenced by the Freiburg Minster tower. This is one of the few Gothic spires completed during the Gothic period. Master stonemason Hans Schwarzacher was commissioned to build the tower in 1486. The tower was also damaged in the 1644 city fire, but a major renovation from 1961 to 1969 restored its original appearance.

The octagonal spire rises above a square shaft divided into stories by cornices. Each of the eight tapering sides is divided into eight zones, adorned with tracery inserts. The lowest zone on the west side features two dancing knight figures, while the east side depicts the scene of St. Martin dividing his cloak. The spire is topped with a monumental double finial. During the 2001-2003 renovation, the two-meter-thick wall of the ground floor was opened to the nave, transforming this early Gothic space into a sacrament chapel. The tabernacle stele is visible from both the nave and the side aisle through two narrow openings.

Interior and Furnishings

To give the original city parish church the appropriate grandeur of a cathedral, it has undergone multiple renovations over the past two centuries, adapting to the prevailing architectural styles of the times: Neo-Gothic (1867/1868 and 1897), Neo-Baroque (1927/1928), Purism (1955/1956), and Neo-Baroque/Eclecticism (1977/1978). The most recent renovation, carried out from 2001 to 2003 by the architectural firm Hahn Helten from Aachen, was in celebration of the diocese's 175th anniversary. This renovation included the installation of a mezzanine floor, a modern lighting concept, new seating, and the removal of late Gothic altars to create a space that blends Gothic and Baroque styles seamlessly. The Baroque apostle figures by a Rottenburg master from the 17th century were preserved as column decorations.

The Organs

The cathedral boasts impressive organ installations by Orgelbau Sandtner from Dillingen an der Donau. The main organ on the west gallery was built in 1978/1979 and refurbished in 2003 to match the renovated church interior. It features 61 registers (4,331 pipes) on four manuals and a pedalboard, with a mechanical and electric action (double action) and an electro-pneumatic register action. Additionally, the organ includes a tubular bell chime (25 sound bars) donated by cathedral pastor Harald Kiebler in 2007 and an original Schiedmayer celesta from the 1950s (61 metal plates).

The choir organ, built in 2003 and completed in 2007 thanks to numerous donors, has 14 registers on two manuals and a pedalboard, including an extended register and a transmission into the pedal (subbass 16'). The organ's action and register action are electric, and it features a mobile electric console in the chancel, playable from the main organ console. Since 2013, the main organ can be played in full from the two-manual choir organ console, with individual sections freely selectable (liturgical central console, set up by Hugo Mayer Orgelbau, Heusweiler).

In 2015, a chest organ was commissioned by the Rottenburg Cathedral Singing School from the Dutch organ builder Henk Klop (NL-Garderen). This instrument has five registers on one manual (C–f3) and is entirely equipped with wooden pipes (229), producing a warm and resonant sound. The registers Gedeckt 8', Principal (from f0) 8', Rohrflöte 4', and Octave 2' are divided into bass and treble (at h0/c1), while the register Quinte 3' is a purely treble register. The chest organ is regularly tempered in a slightly unequal temperament and tuned to match the other organs in the cathedral, allowing for joint musical performances. The instrument also features a transposition device (+/- a semitone).

The Bells

The cathedral tower houses eleven bells, with the historic set being supplemented by two bells cast by the Bachert bell foundry in Karlsruhe in 2008. Since 2004, a sacristy bell has also been installed in the church.

In conclusion, Rottenburg Cathedral is not just a place of worship; it is a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of Rottenburg am Neckar. Its architectural beauty, historical significance, and the serene atmosphere it offers make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring this picturesque town. Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking a moment of tranquility, Rottenburg Cathedral promises an enriching and unforgettable experience.