Collegiate Church of St. Servatius and the Quedlinburg treasury

The Collegiate Church of St. Servatius in Quedlinburg is one of the most outstanding high Romanesque buildings in the German-speaking world. It forms part of a world heritage site and also houses the Quedlinburg treasury, both bearing witness to the importance of the former secular canonesses' residence in Quedlinburg.

The collegiate church, originally the chapel of one of Henry I's castles, was used by a community of secular canonesses, unmarried daughters of nobility and royalty, from 936 until 1803. The Ottonian rulers frequently chose to spend Easter here at the tombs of their ancestors and for centuries, requiems were held for them. The church contains many fascinating features: the pillars inside the church with their ornamental capitals are particularly beautiful, as are the goldsmiths' work and the ivory carvings in the church treasury.

Also of interest are the ornate ceiling frescos in the hall crypt with the royal tomb of King Henry I and his wife Matilda, the typical rounded arches inside the church and the impressive facade. Upon entering the collegiate church, visitors are struck by its spacious interior and by the remarkable achievements of the medieval architects and stonemasons; and they are overcome by a sense of history whilst standing at the tombs of the kings. However, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the primary aim of this building was to honour God.

The treasury of the collegiate church, dating from around 1170, houses the famous Quedlinburg treasure, one of the most important, exquisite and precious collections of medieval church treasures in Germany. It contains more than fifty priceless artefacts, including reliquary flasks made from rock crystal, the reliquary of Saint Servatius and of Saint Katharine, reliquary shrines, a liturgical ivory comb from Henry I, reliquary crosses, a late Roman alabaster jug, burses containing sacred cloths, the Quedlinburg Itala (Bible), the Samuhel Gospels and the Otto Adelheid Gospels. Closed on Mondays.


Contact:
Internet: http://www.domschatzquedlinburg.de/