About the Fulda Cathedral:
Built in the Baroque style, reminiscent of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, this beautiful Cathedral has a fairly simple interior with many beautiful works of art and sculptures. Especially interesting are the bells, known for their beautiful sound.
The Cathedral was damaged during World War II and was subsequently rebuilt until 1954.
In November 1980, Pope John Paul II visited Fulda ….over 100,000 people came out to Cathedral Square for his visit.
The Cathedral houses the tombs of two people who had a great influence on the Catholic Church in Germany, and also contains a museum.
The tomb of Saint Boniface in the Fulda Cathedral:
Perhaps the most notable feature of the Cathedral is the tomb of Saint Boniface, who was instrumental in bringing the faith to the area. Boniface, an English Benedictine monk, devoted his life to the conversion of the Germanic tribes.
At the request of Pope Gregory II, he took his first missionary journey in 719 AD. Paganism was a way of life, and what Christianity he did find had either lapsed into paganism or was mixed with error. The clergy were mainly responsible for these latter conditions since they were in many instances uneducated, lax and questionably obedient to their bishops. In particular instances their very ordinations were questionable. Upon his return to Rome and reporting back to the Holy Father, he was instructed him to reform the German Church. The pope sent letters of recommendation to religious and civil leaders.
Boniface was finally made a regional bishop and authorized to organize the whole German Church. During a final mission to the Frisians in northwestern Germany, Boniface and 53 companions were massacred while he was preparing converts for confirmation. You can read more about Saint Boniface and the time he chopped down a tree that the pagans worshipped here.
We celebrate the Feast of Saint Boniface on June 5.
Fulda Cathedral also contains the tomb of Princess Anna of Prussia.
Born on May 17, 1836, Anna presided over a court of outstanding artists and musicians, including Johannes Brahms, Clara Schumann, Anton Rubinstein, and Julius Stockhausen. She herself was a classically trained pianist of great talent and ability who studied under Theodor Kullak. Brahms dedicated his Piano Quintet to her in 1865. Anna was the subject of one of the most famous paintings by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, in which she is depicted wearing a sweeping dress of tulle over pink silk.
Anna had been drawn to the Catholic faith for some time, and, after thorough instruction from Professor Viktor Thielemann (1867–1944), officially declared her conversion to the Roman Catholic Church on October 10, 1901. This was quite a shock at the time, upsetting Kaiser William II and causing a great deal of political turmoil. You can read more about that here.
Princess Anna died in Frankfurt on June 12, 1918 at the age of 82.
Finding the Fulda Cathedral:
Fulda is located about 64 miles northeast of Frankfurt. There is train service from Frankfurt to Fulda, the journey takes about 90 minutes.
Address: Eduard-Schick-Platz 3, 36037 Fulda, Germany
We are not aware of any website for the Cathedral.
