“What stories could this Steinsäule Stone tell if it could speak?” I ask, gazing up at the aged monument before us. The Steinsäule Stone is a silent witness to Osnabrück’s rich history. But what exactly is its story?
Let’s step back in time. Imagine Osnabrück centuries ago. It was a city of merchants, bishops and wars. Even though I can’t tell you any facts about this Stone, I can tell you about the St. Peter’s Cathedral.
The late Romanesque St. Peter’s Cathedral stands proudly on Cathedral Square. Its origins trace back to 785. Frankish King Charlemagne built the first church. He founded a missionary station five years earlier laying the foundation for Osnabrück.
Around 800, the bishopric of Osnabrück was founded. Bishop Adolf von Tecklenburg shaped its present form in the 13th century. Look at the three towers. They vary in size. The southern tower was rebuilt in Gothic style from 1509 to 1544. Material from the demolished tower was used. The clergy did not want to be inferior to the tower heights of St. Katharinen and St. Marien. Notice the rose window above the west portal. It bridges Romanesque and Gothic styles. From the outside, it looks Gothic. Inside, it’s Romanesque.
Inside the cathedral, the vaulted ceiling is as high as the pillars. The cathedral has 15 bays. The vaulted ceiling forms pointed arches fitting the Gothic period. The outer walls feature semi-circular arched openings typical of Romanesque architecture. The building stretches almost 100 meters long. Architects used unevenness and steep vaults to prevent optical shortening.
Alterations continued into the 17th and 18th centuries. Gothic spires were replaced by Baroque domes. Alexander Behnes preserved the cathedral from 1882 to 1910 adding further changes. In 1944, bombing raids destroyed the cathedral roof and tower domes. Reconstruction brought pyramid roofs emphasizing the Romanesque character.
Inside, you will see the high altar and choir stalls. Osnabrück sculptor Heinrich Seling created them from 1894 to 1905. 16th-century figures of the Apostles adorn the nave pillars. The pulpit is made of reddish marble from 1752. It is a surviving Rococo work.
The monumental triumphal cross is impressive. It dates back to around 1230. It is Germany’s largest cross of its kind with a corpus height of 3.85 meters. The oak figure of Jesus holds a relic. The feet are individually nailed reflecting the Romanesque understanding of crucifixion.
The bronze baptismal font dates from around 1225. It was used for full-body baptism. Fonts were placed far from the altar. Those to be baptized were still unbaptized. The fonts were heated using hot stones.
The cathedral boasts two organs. The main organ dates from 2003. It has 53 stops. A small choir organ sits in the northern transept.
Next to the cathedral, you can find the Diocesan Museum. It was founded in 1918. It displays over 1000 years of diocesan history. Exhibits include relics, paintings, sculptures and liturgical vestments. Works by the “Master Craftsmen of Osnabrück” are highlights.
Even though the Steinsäule Stone stands silently I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the rich stories embedded within Osnabrück. Every stone tells a story if you know how to listen.