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Saxony-Anhalt’s Secret Power Centers – Henry II and His Incredible LegacyWhy Merseburg was the heart of the German emperors! Treasures that are 1,000 years old! Miracles that have withstood the test of time! 
Central Germany is always worth a visit. Castles, palaces, imperial residences, and cathedrals adorn the heart of Europe. And southern Saxony-Anhalt lies at the center of it all. Whether it's the imperial palace in Memleben or the castle in Merseburg—both were frequent destinations for various German kings and emperors. One emperor who made a particularly lasting mark on history and visited this region frequently was Emperor Henry II from the Ottonian dynasty. He and his wife Cunigunde visited Merseburg and its imperial castle a total of 28 times. He even spent his birthday (May 6) in the city by the Saale on multiple occasions. He is especially significant for Merseburg because in the year 1004, he reestablished the bishopric of Merseburg. With this act, the jurisdictions and sanctuaries of the Merseburg diocese were completely reorganized. Henry II, who also became German emperor that same year, transferred much power—and especially financial resources of his people—to the emerging cathedral. Merseburg Cathedral stands as a magnificent testimony to its layered history. One finds medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque elements in this opulent house of worship. Not least the Baroque embellishments by the Wettin dukes of Merseburg, who held the secundogeniture of Saxony-Merseburg between 1656 and 1736, illuminate the cathedral's interior in radiant colors and golden splendor. Over the centuries, during which the cathedral was visited and used by various rulers, some treasures were especially well protected. The manuscripts held in the cathedral library—stored in climate-controlled cabinets and high shelves, some behind glass—date back over 1,000 years. They offer a unique glimpse into regional history that, elsewhere, has been lost forever through wars, fires, or simply archival neglect. Not only spells and the raven legend are found in the writings of the cathedral archive, but also records of the Merseburg miracles. In addition, one can find numerous documents and even inventory lists of the cathedral treasure—if one knows how to search properly. The people of Merseburg, especially Markus Cottin, head of the cathedral chapter archive and library, have collected many rediscovered relics of Henry II’s veneration and supplemented them with loans from Bamberg. This resulted in a Henry exhibition unlike any before it. The written documents on display in the manuscript collection may seem modest at first glance, housed in the smaller display room of the cathedral treasury, which is dominated by the magnificent “Otto cloak” from the 10th to 11th century. Particularly impressive is a facsimile of a large book, normally housed in Bamberg, but now presenting an illustrated double-page with Merseburg cathedral treasures—thanks to the cooperation between the two dioceses that were Henry II’s main spheres of influence. A particular highlight is the Henry Chalice, which was part of a miracle in Merseburg. The Schmalkaldic War (1546–1547), however, took its toll, and the chalice was melted down into cash. Another central focus of the exhibition is the veneration of the imperial couple Henry II and his wife Cunigunde. Depictions of the two main patrons and later canonized rulers are found throughout the cathedral—whether as decoration on the church pews, wall paintings, carved images, or as representations on thin gold foil. Evidence of their veneration is everywhere, and if not the imperial couple themselves, then at least the chalice—of which today only a similar Baroque-era version remains in the cathedral treasury. Magnificent and well worth seeing is the altar by Lucas Cranach the Elder, exhibited in the Michaelis Chapel, which includes a side panel depicting Henry II with the cathedral. This four-wing double altar is not only remarkably preserved but also rare in its design, with two main paintings (Crucifixion and Descent from the Cross) and eight wing panels. Originally, it stood in the middle of the church, requiring visitors to walk around it to appreciate all sides. At the time, the altar was a real bargain at just 100 gold guilders. A work of such high quality—worth only €21,557.00 today—was an unbeatable offer, especially considering Cranach was already a renowned name back then. The small but exquisite special exhibition in honor of the 1,000th anniversary of the holy emperor’s death will likely run until October 2024 in the Merseburg Cathedral. A visit to Merseburg Cathedral is worthwhile not only because of the fascinating history conveyed by the staff of the cathedral library and archive, but also because of its immense art-historical significance. And the Henry exhibition is simply the cherry on top. *) After Henry II drank from the communion chalice and received the Holy Eucharist, the chalice was cleansed. Yet the water in the chalice miraculously turned into wine—the blood of Christ. This, and the legend that the chalice was the deciding weight in Henry's Last Judgment, ultimately led to the canonization of the German emperor 53 years after his death. Author: AI-Translation - Nadja Laue (Stadtführerin in Weissenfels) | 08.08.2024 |
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