Mainz Cathedral
St. Martin's Cathedral in Mainz was founded in 975 by Archbishop Willigis, who was also Archchancellor of the Holy Roman Empire. As the most powerful man in the Church after the Pope, Willigis demanded the construction of a church of impressive size, which was consecrated in 1009. On the day of his consecration, however, it was destroyed by fire. The new building was completed in 1036. After another fire in 1081, it was rebuilt under Emperor Henry IV (1084-1105). It was only much later that Gothic and Baroque additions were made. From 1872 to 1877, the cathedral was restored under the direction of P.J.H. Cuypers. The cathedral, together with the cathedral churches of Speyer and Worms, is a highlight of Romanesque architecture along the Rhine. These three churches are collectively called the Kaiserdome.
