Magdeburg Cathedral

Magdeburg Cathedral (Cathedral of Saints Maurice and Catherine) is the medieval cathedral in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and is notable as the burial place of Emperor Otto I and as an early German Gothic cathedral. It dominates the city skyline and functions as both a religious and heritage monument.

Magdeburg’s ecclesiastical presence dates to the 10th century when Otto I established a royal church; the present cathedral evolved through Romanesque origins and Gothic reconstruction from the medieval period onwards and has been altered and restored over centuries. It remained the city’s principal ecclesiastical building and a symbol of imperial association.

Sited in central Magdeburg on the banks of the Elbe River, the cathedral occupies a prominent central position in the city and is within walking distance of the historic center.

• Imperial burial: Serves as the burial site of Emperor Otto I, whose tomb is a central historical and touristic feature inside the cathedral.

What to See #

• Tomb of Emperor Otto I: A medieval imperial tomb area that contains the burial of Emperor Otto I, an important focal point for visitors interested in royal and imperial history.
• Towers, nave, and medieval art: The cathedral's twin towers and nave are principal architectural features, combining Romanesque origins with later Gothic elements and housing medieval sculpture and stained glass.