Halberstadt: Cathedral, Cathedral Treasury and Jewish History
Accommodation in Halberstadt
Halberstadt combines Gothic architectural history with medieval art, Jewish history and 18th-century literature. In Halberstadt, you can focus on the cathedral and its treasury, explore Jewish history or discover the world of poets at the Gleimhaus. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may therefore be helpful to consider in advance which of these cultural aspects interests you most.
Gothic Cathedral and Medieval Cathedral Treasury
The Cathedral of St. Stephen and St. Sixtus was built between 1236 and 1486, following the models of French cathedrals, and is one of Germany’s most significant Gothic cathedrals. Its long construction period alone makes the cathedral a special subject for anyone interested in historic architecture. The French models are part of the building’s history, as is its place within German Gothic architecture.
The Cathedral Treasury of Halberstadt is a distinct highlight. It comprises more than 300 valuable exhibits, including goldsmiths’ work, liturgical vestments, sculptures and textiles. The textiles mentioned include the Abraham Angel Tapestry. As one of the world’s most significant medieval church treasuries, it offers a different perspective on history from the cathedral’s architecture: here, the focus is on works of art and objects from a range of categories. If you are planning a trip together, you can weigh up whether you would like to spend more time on architectural history or medieval art.
Jewish History and Literature
The permanent exhibition “Kosher, Klaus & Copper” at the Berend Lehmann Museum presents the history of Jews in Halberstadt. A guided tour of Jewish history also takes you through several historically significant locations: it begins at the Klaus Synagogue in the former Jewish quarter and continues via Peterstreppe, Cathedral Square and the Hascharat Zwi Jewish School. The tour concludes with a visit to the art project “And the living shall take it to heart…” at the site of the destroyed Baroque synagogue, as well as to the Berend Lehmann Museum in the mikveh house. In this way, the tour connects a range of places and themes from Halberstadt’s Jewish history.
The Gleimhaus offers a different cultural perspective. It is one of Germany’s oldest poets’ museums and was established in 1862 in the former home of Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim, near Halberstadt Cathedral. Gleim’s so-called “Temple of Friendship” portrait gallery is housed there. It features numerous writers and other notable figures of the 18th century. Anyone especially interested in literature and the people of its time will find a different focus here than at the cathedral and treasury.
When planning your trip, you can therefore explore Halberstadt’s cultural offerings according to your interests: architecture and Gothic art, medieval art, Jewish history or literary history. This selection helps you decide what to focus on during your stay without treating these subjects as interchangeable.
Discover More Places
If you would like to include more destination pages in your travel planning, you can also find Langenstein and Schachdorf Ströbeck here.
For the overview of the wider travel region: Harz.
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