The Cathedral of St. Nikolaus in Stendal

1188 Dom Heinrich, the Earl of Gardelegen founded the chapter of the church of St. Nikolaus in Stendal with 1 provost and 12 canons. During their residence in Stendal they lived in 9 little houses, called "Kurien", near the cathedral, which were tax-free. The canons were obliged to a common rule for daily services. Nearly 40 vicars were assisting them for services at the cathedral. The chapter was directly subordinated to the Pope in Rom. From the first cathedral you can only see the lower stone shifts of the towers with roman portals at the inside.

1257 began the second period for enlargment of the cathedral of St. Nikolaus. From this period exists today two pillars of the altar before the "Lettner", the stone passion-frieze on the back of the Lettner and little stone figures of the apostles round the sanctuary. The passion-frieze represents from left to the right: The annunciation of Mary, the birth of Jesus Christ, his adoration by the Three Magicians, the world-tribunal by Christ, the flagellation of Christ, Jesus carrying his cross, crucifixion and ressurection of the Lord.

1423 The first cathedral was called "ruin". After pulling down the old building the new cathedral has been erected in Gothic style, as you can see today. The construction began from east with the sanctuary. The second cathedral of 1423 is greater than the first one, only the towers remained from former times, but with a new third floor.

1423 - 1450 have been created the coloured windows, which belong of number and quality to the greatest and most brillant ensemble in Europe. If you like, you will find an exact description for each window in the sanctuary under the baptismal basin.

1551 As a consequence of the reformation the chapter of the dome was dissolved and the buildings, except the cathedral , were used for secular functions.

1660 The spires, the roof and chapels on the northern hand were destroyed by lightning and following fire. Partially the windows were already destroyed by storm and other accidents.

1845 began a complete restoration of the cathedral, which was

1888 (to the 700 th jubilee) finished in part.

1940th During World War II the windows were removed and kept in a manor-house near Stendal. By this way the windows of the middle ages could be saved before droppings of bombs on 8 th of April 1945 demolished the cathedral. 1957-1963 the windows were renovated, new arranged and installed to their today‘s place.

1988 we could celebrate the 800 th jubilee of our cathedral

Thus, the Dom of St. Nikolaus testifies to piety and architecture of many centuries.

The Lettner

In the middle ages it was permitted only to the ecclesiastics to enter the sanctuary. Therefore they erected a high wall in front of the sanctuary. Standing on this wall an ecclesiastic red the Lord‘s word. The place of the reader was called in Latin ‘lectorium‘ and German "Lettner". In front of the "Lettner" a little altar for laymen had been erected, because they could not take part in worshipping the Lord in the sanctuary.

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1188	Heinrich, the Earl of Gardelegen founded the chapter of the church of St. Nikolaus in Stendal with 1 provost and 12 canons. During their residence in Stendal they lived in 9 little houses, called "Kurien", near the cathedral, which were tax-free. The canons were obliged to a common rule for daily services. Nearly 40 vicars were assisting them for services at the cathedral. The chapter was directly subordinated to the Pope in Rom. From the first cathedral you can only see the lower stone shifts of the towers with roman portals at the inside.
1257	began the second period for enlargment of the cathedral of St. Nikolaus. From this period exists today two pillars of the altar before the "Lettner", the stone passion-frieze on the back of the Lettner and little stone figures of the apostles round the sanctuary. The passion-frieze represents from left to the right: The annunciation of Mary, the birth of Jesus Christ, his adoration by the Three Magicians, the world-tribunal by Christ, the flagellation of Christ, Jesus carrying his cross, crucifixion and ressurection of the Lord.
1423	The first cathedral was called "ruin". After pulling down the old building the new cathedral has been erected in Gothic style, as you can see today. The construction began from east with the sanctuary. The second cathedral of 1423 is greater than the first one, only the towers remained from former times, but with a new third floor.
1423 - 1450	have been created the coloured windows, which belong of number and quality to the greatest and most brillant ensemble in Europe. If you like, you will find an exact description for each window in the sanctuary under the baptismal basin.
1551	As a consequence of the reformation the chapter of the dome was dissolved and the buildings, except the cathedral , were used for secular functions.
1660	The spires, the roof and chapels on the northern hand were destroyed by lightning and following fire. Partially the windows were already destroyed by storm and other accidents.
1845	began a complete restoration of the cathedral, which was
1888	(to the 700 th jubilee) finished in part.
1940th	During World War II the windows were removed and kept in a manor-house near Stendal. By this way the windows of the middle ages could be saved before droppings of bombs on 8 th of April 1945 demolished the cathedral. 1957-1963 the windows were renovated, new arranged and installed to their today‘s place.
1988	we could celebrate the 800 th jubilee of our cathedral Thus, the Dom of St. Nikolaus testifies to piety and architecture of many centuries.