Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew

Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew. The Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew is a historic Roman Catholic church located in Frankfurt, renowned for its role as the traditional election and coronation site for German kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Constructed primarily in the Gothic style between the 14th and 15th centuries, it stands as a monumental symbol of imperial power and religious authority. The cathedral, dedicated to Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, houses significant sacred relics and has been a major pilgrimage destination for centuries.

History

The site's history dates to a 7th-century Merovingian chapel, with a Carolingian palace chapel built under Charlemagne's successors. The present structure's construction began in the 14th century under the patronage of the Frankfurt patriciate and Charles IV. It was designated the principal electoral church following the issuance of the Golden Bull of 1356 by Charles IV, which formally established Frankfurt as the permanent election city. Major coronation ceremonies held within its walls include those of Maximilian II in 1562 and Francis II in 1792. The cathedral suffered severe damage during the Allied bombing of Frankfurt in World War II but was meticulously reconstructed in the postwar period.

Architecture

The cathedral is a hall church built primarily in the High Gothic style, constructed from red Main sandstone. Its most distinctive external feature is the 95-meter west tower, completed in the 15th century, which dominates the Frankfurt skyline. The interior is characterized by a tall, unified nave flanked by side aisles of nearly equal height, creating a spacious and luminous volume. Notable architectural elements include the Marian Column in the choir, the elaborate sacrament house, and the Electoral Chapel, where the imperial electors convened. The cloisters on the south side, featuring late Gothic vaulting, connect to the adjacent Archaeological Garden.

Imperial significance

The cathedral's paramount historical importance stems from its function as the *Kaiserdom* (Imperial Cathedral), serving as the venue for the royal election and subsequent coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor. Following the procedures codified in the Golden Bull of 1356, the College of Electors met in the cathedral's choir to choose the King of the Romans. The coronation ceremony, a blend of religious rite and constitutional act, was traditionally performed by the Archbishop of Mainz. This practice cemented the cathedral's status as a central institution of the Holy Roman Empire, alongside other imperial sites like Aachen Cathedral and the Imperial Diet in Regensburg.

Treasures and artworks

The cathedral's treasury contains an exceptional collection of liturgical art and relics from the imperial era. The most famous relic is the skullcap of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, housed in a magnificent gold reliquary created by Hans von Reutlingen. Other major works include the so-called Coronation Gospels, a medieval illuminated manuscript, and the Bartholomew Altar, a late Gothic triptych by the Master of the Frankfurt Paradiesgärtlein. The Imperial Regalia, including the Imperial Crown, were often displayed here during coronations before being transferred to the Hofburg Palace in Vienna and later to the Nuremberg Castle.

Cultural and religious role

Beyond its imperial functions, the cathedral has long been the central religious institution for the Catholic community of Frankfurt and a major site for pilgrimages to the relics of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle. It hosts significant annual events such as the Christmas market on the *Römerberg* and serves as a venue for concerts of sacred music, including works by Johann Sebastian Bach. Today, it remains an active parish church and a key landmark within the museum district, symbolizing the enduring historical and cultural identity of Frankfurt am Main.

Category:Churches in Frankfurt Category:Gothic architecture in Germany Category:Imperial cathedrals