Sacred Sites
Trier Cathedral
Also Known As Cathedral of Saint Peter, TrierOriginal Term Hohe Domkirche St. Peter zu Trier
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The Cathedral of Saint Peter in Trier, the oldest cathedral in Germany, stands on the site of a fourth century Roman era hall in the city of Trier on the Moselle river, and its present building preserves work from the Roman, Romanesque and Gothic periods side by side. It is the seat of the Bishop of Trier and, together with the neighboring Church of Our Lady and the Roman monuments of the city, is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral is also the reliquary church of the Holy Robe of Trier, the seamless tunic venerated as the garment worn to the crucifixion, shown to pilgrims only at rare, irregular intervals decades apart.
Facts
History
Historical NoteThe cathedral's core incorporates a fourth century Roman era hall, traditionally associated with the palace built under Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine, over which the church was raised and progressively enlarged through the Romanesque and Gothic periods. It has housed the Holy Robe of Trier since at least the twelfth century, and the relic's rare ostensions, decades apart, have drawn immense pilgrim crowds, including the 1844 ostension whose scale provoked the protest that produced a nineteenth century German Catholic breakaway movement. 3 Origins
Origin of the NameNamed for its dedication to Saint Peter, and for the city of Trier in which it stands. 1 Geography
LatitudeApproximate reference point, rounded to one decimal place; this marks the site's general location for a map, not a survey-grade or precise boundary measurement. LongitudeApproximate reference point, rounded to one decimal place; this marks the site's general location for a map, not a survey-grade or precise boundary measurement. Site
Type of SiteChurch, cathedral or chapel 1 Type of Site DetailCathedral of Saint Peter at Trier, built up from a fourth century Roman era hall into the oldest surviving cathedral in Germany, combining Roman, Romanesque and Gothic construction in one building and serving as the reliquary church of the Holy Robe of Trier. 1 Status
Status TodayIn active religious use 1 UNESCO World HeritageInscribed on the World Heritage List 2 Current StatusAn active Roman Catholic cathedral, seat of the Diocese of Trier and reliquary church of the Holy Robe of Trier. 1 Location
Cross-Tradition Connections
Belongs to Tradition
Contained In
Houses
Sources
1. Encyclopaedia Britannica (online academic reference)
Encyclopaedia Britannica editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 2024View the Source 2. UNESCO World Heritage List
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO World Heritage CentreView the Source 3. Der Heilige Rock zu Trier: Studien zur Geschichte und Verehrung der Tunika Christi
Erich Aretz, Michael Embach, Michael Persch, Franz Ronig (eds.), Paulinus-Verlag, Trier, 1995
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