precious-postcards

Speyer Cathedral

Speyer Cathedral, a basilica with four towers and two domes, was founded by Conrad II in 1030 and remodelled at the end of the 11th century. It is one of the most important Romanesque monuments from the time of the Holy Roman Empire. The cathedral was the burial place of the German emperors for almost 300 years.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/168

Speyer Cathedral is one of the most important Romanesque monuments from the time of the Holy Roman Empire. The cathedral (Dom in German) was inaugurated in 1061. Thirty years before, Emperor Koenraad II gave the order to build it. He wanted to honor a city of his choice with the biggest church of its time. This way Speyer was given the prestige of a real Royal Residence. 

In 1689 the cathedral was almost totally destructed. Until today renovations are under way to save the building and reconstruct the interior in the original Romanesque style. Its architecture is a combination of eastern and western influences. The total length of the building is 134 meters, the highest point is 72 meters. 

The Crypt is still the original, and harbors the graves of no less than 8 medieval German emperors and kings. They were buried there between 1039 and 1309. It includes also the grave of Emperor Koenraad II, who had to be buried elsewhere the first 2 years after he had died because the crypt was not yet finished at the time of his death. 

http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/speyercathedral.html