SPLENDID SIGHTS

UNESCO World Heritage site Naumburg Cathedral (Dom)

Now a protestant church, the Naumburg Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, built in the 13th century, is a significant monument and once home to Countess Uta von Ballenstedt, one of the most famous and beautiful women of the Middle Ages – her statue is considered the high point of German Gothic art. Along with her statue, the Dom holds 11 further larger-than-life painted statues of the cathedral’s patrons, the “Stifter” or founder figures, who donated funds for its renovation and expansion nearly a thousand years ago. A further highlight: the windows in the Elisabeth Chapel designed by Leipzig artist Neo Rauch (*1960). Since 2018 the Naumburg Cathedral (Dom) is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A thousand years of history

There is scarcely a corner in Naumburg without a tale to relate from the lively history of this picturesque town. Naumburg’s important examples of Romantic and Gothic architecture, impressive town houses built by leading citizens in the Renaissance and Baroque eras, the Marientor (Maria gate), and the towering churches make this small tranquil city of 30,000 a walkable stage of living history. For a panoramic view of Naumburg, climb the tower of the Town Church (Stadtkirche) St. Wenzel: the former tower apartment is 46 meters (~150 feet) high.