Altenberg Cathedral

Altenberg Cathedral was founded in the 13th century as an abbey church by the Cistercians. The church, including its interior, is strictly Gothic in style. During secularization (1803) the abbey was dissolved, and parts of the abbey later became a chemical factory. An explosion largely destroyed the abbey buildings in 1815. After the ruins of the church were donated to the Prussian state, Frederick William III (1797 -1840) gave substantial support for the restoration of the abbey church on condition that it be used as a common church. The first Protestant service took place on 13 August 1857. Further phases of restoration took place from 1894 to 1912 and in the 1960s.