Dom zu Minden

Charlemagne founded the Diocese of Minden in 799, and the first cathedral was built as a simple hall church with a rectangular choir. The subsequent structure—a three-nave nave with an eastern transept and a crypt—expanded the complex. In the 10th century, the cathedral was given a central westwork. The city fire of 1062 destroyed the cathedral, but it was rebuilt as early as 1071. In the 12th century, the westwork was redesigned with a raised central section between side towers. Beginning in the mid-13th century, the Gothic hall with its ornate tracery windows was constructed; it has been preserved to this day. The cathedral’s immunity encompassed the monastery, the bishop’s palace, and farm buildings, protected by a wall until the High Middle Ages. During World War II, the cathedral sustained severe damage; reconstruction took place from 1948 to 1957 according to plans by the Berlin architect Werner March. Minden Cathedral is an impressive testament to medieval architecture and an important part of the cultural heritage.