Further decisions made on Cathedral restoration

Hildesheim (bph) Restoration of the Cathedral will involve two important rooms changing their appearance and function: The Nordparadies, or northern paradise, as the north entrance is known, will have openings on three sides and be protected from winds by a glass partition, and the Laurentius Chapel, which has hitherto been used as the vestry, is to become a room for public worship once more.

Auxiliary Bishop emer. Hans-Georg Koitz explains the new design for the Laurentius Chapel; Photo:

Although the key points of the overall plan for the Cathedral's renovation have been in existence for some time, there are always unresolved matters of detail needing to be decided. At the suggestion of the Cologne architecture firm Schilling, the client (the Hildesheim Cathedral Chapter) has decided to give the Nordparadies new west and east doors. At present there are bars across these openings. "These entrances used to exist, and we are recreating the original structure," says Vicar General Dr Werner Schreer. Right behind the openings there is to be a glass windbreak which will have the effect of turning the northern entrance into a more "temperature-controlled" anteroom.

In the Nordparadies visitors will now come across a previously little-known gem - the Steinberg Chapel. It is located in the east wall of the anteroom and has been kept closed up to now. It was built in 1405 with money donated by one Canon of Steinberg. The chapel is one of the original Gothic parts of the cathedral, and even contains wall paintings from the period. "The idea of the new design is to make the chapel accessible to everyone again," says Auxiliary Bishop emer. and Cathedral Deacon Hans-Georg Koitz. No decision has been taken yet about its use, though Bishop Koitz says: "It could be made into an information centre about the destruction of the cathedral."

The Laurentius Chapel is another part of the cathedral mainly known only to insiders, though this is also set to change. In future it is to be used for services and will function as a Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament with tabernacle. "This will be a place of quiet reflection, even when things going on in the cathedral may not be so quiet," the Vicar General explains. A passage direct from the interior of the cathedral will be created to give access to it.

Since the Second World War the Laurentius Chapel has been used as a side annexe to the vestry, and a number of large cupboards dominate the room. These will be accommodated in the new vestry, which the plans indicate will be on three floors. Above the original room a staircase will give access to a new upstairs area, creating plenty of space for large-scale events such as the annual Mass of the Chrism.