Presumed appearance

It was long assumed that the first cathedral was a smaller church, especially because of the history of the foundation by Tibus. Only in 1904 did Savel suggest that the original cathedral was a three-naved basilica. He calculated its width using the northern stairs of the Domplatz and came to a figure of around 20 metres.^[2]

Further understanding was brought by the 1936 excavations by Wieschebrink, the director of the diocesan museum. These revealed that the first cathedral stood largely on the site of the later cloisters and Domherrenfriedhof. From the remains of the foundations, it was possible to conclude that the northern side aisle was about 8.3 meters wide, including the outer walls and foundations of the buttresses. Assuming that the nave was double the width of the side aisle (as usual in early medieval church buildings), the first cathedral would have been 27.6 metres wide in total. Based on the excavations, the length is estimated to have been 31.2 metres.

In the northwestern corner of the building, Wieschebrink found additional foundations of a rectangular wall, which were 2 metres thick – considerably thicker than the rest of the walls. From these remains he concluded that there had been a square tower with 8.3-metre-long (27 ft) edges.

Location

The Ludgerus-Dom stood north of the current cathedral, roughly where the cloisters, Domherrenfriedhof, Marienkapelle and sacristry are located today. It was only demolished in the fourteenth century, well after the completion of the third cathedral. It, therefore, outlived the second, Ottonian cathedral entirely.

Until its demolition, the Ludgerus Dom remained largely unaltered. After the consecration of the second cathedral, it was left unused for almost a hundred years. At this time, part of the southwestern corner was demolished for the construction of a chapel, at the order of Bishop Dodo. Only with the foundation of the Collegiate Stift of the Old Dom by Bishop Burchard did the Ludgerus Dom regain a function: the chapter used it as a choir.

On 18 August 1377, Bishop Floris van Wevelinkhoven, the two churches side-by-side blocked the light and ordered the demolition of the Ludgerus Dom. After its demolition, the so-called "Alte Dom" was erected northwest of the original cathedral. This building replaced the Ludgerus Dom as the choir of the chapter.

Construction date

The date of the second cathedral's construction is not certain.

Art historian Max Geisberg (1875–1943) argued that the second cathedral was built during the reign of Bishop Dodo between 967 and 993. This position was supported by the fact that other important cathedral buildings had a west transept already in the 10th and early 11th centuries. This transept was then reused in the construction of the third and current cathedral. In view of this presumed construction under the Ottonian dynasty, the second cathedral is referred to as the Ottonian cathedral.

The diocese of Münster assumed that the second cathedral was built in the second half of the eleventh century, in response to a fire in the first cathedral which apparently occurred in 1071. The Überwasserkirche only a few hundred metres away was similarly burnt down in the same fire. According to the diocese, the second cathedral was built between 1071 and 1090.^[3] The information of the diocese does not necessarily contradict Geisberg's conclusion since the diocese's claim is based on documentary information for the consecration of the second cathedral in 1090, which could have also occurred after a rebuild resulting from the fire.

Presumed appearance

The Ottonian cathedral was mostly demolished to build the third cathedral; today only fragments of the south wall of the side nave of the Ottonianbasilica survive.

The masonry of the western transept was also incorporated into the new building. To this day a large part of the west wall of the Ottonian transept survives (with the exception of the central portion, where the Old Choir was built around 1190), as well as parts of the south wall (which was incorporated into the northern interior wall of the "narthex"), much of the north wall and parts of the walls of the upper story on the east side.

No plans or depictions of the second cathedral survive from which the appearance of the second cathedral could be reconstructed. Since the modern "third" cathedral is located on the same spot as the second cathedral, excavations cannot be undertaken to determine its dimensions or appearance. Based on the surviving remnants of the walls it is only possible to determine the measurements of the Ottonian cathedral's western transept (c. 36.6 m from north to south and 12.4 m from east to west), the interior width of the side-aisle (c.6 m) and nave (c. 12 m), as well as the thickness of the exterior walls of the side-aisle (c.1 m) and the walls between the side-aisles and the nave (c.1.5 m). In total, therefore, the second cathedral appears to have been about 30 m wide.

14th century

Cloister, north wing

In 1377 the first cathedral was demolished and the so-called Alte Dom or Old Cathedral (e) was built, as a replacement for the first cathedral, which had been used as a choir by the chapter of the Old (Ludgerus) cathedral. Like the modern cathedral, the Alte Dom was built in the gothic style.

In 1390, the Marienkapelle (W), Annenkapelle (Y) and Elisabethkapelle (Z) were built – the latter two were incorporated into the new sacristry in 1885. Between 1390 and 1395, the cloisters (U) were built. In the process, part of the Alte Dom built shortly beforehand must have been demolished and moved to the west. Thereafter the Alte Dom was flanked by the west transept and the western end of the cloisters until its demolition in 1875.

16th and 17th centuries

The west facade and the Domplatz in 1784

Around 1516 the (formerly High Gothic) west portal (2) was expanded and redone in the Late Gothic style.

During the Anabaptist rule of Münster in 1534 and 1535, the cathedral was not spared from destruction at the hands of the Anabaptists. In the iconoclasm of 1534, numerous images and figures were destroyed, including those by Heinrich Brabender, as well as the original astronomical clock which dated from 1408 (since it was decorated with biblical images).

After the end of Anabaptist rule, the interior of the cathedral was renovated, and the chapter hall (T) was built. Heinrich Brabender's son Johann Brabender made new sculptures to replace those that had been destroyed. Ludger und Hermann tom Ring, two important Westphalian painters, repainted the cathedral. Between 1540 and 1542, the extant astronomical clock was installed. The second rood screen, the Apostelgang, followed between 1542 and 1549 – it was demolished in 1870.

In the 16th century, the main entrance hall of the cathedral, the "narthex" (F), and the southern extension of the east transept (M) were built, partially expanded and decorated with sculpture; towards the end of the 16th century an armaria was added to the ambulatory, the current Kreuzkapelle (R).

In 1663, Prince-Bishop Christoph Bernhard von Galen had three chapels (O, P and Q) built onto the ambulatory, south of the armaria. These chapels, called the Von Galenschen Kapellen after him, mimic the shape of the armaria. In 1697, the Vicars' sacristry (J) was built between the northern part of the east transept (the so-called Stephanuschor, K) and the northern side-aisle. After the construction of the sacristry (X) in 1885, the cathedral treasury was built under the Vicars' sacristry. Today the Sakramentskapelle is located here.

19th century

A new sacristry (X, on the "Plan of the Cathedral today") was built between the Marienkapelle (W) and the Chapter Hall (T) in 1885. For this new building, it was necessary to remove St.-Anna / Margareten-Kapelle (Y) which neighboured it to the south, the St.-Elisabeth-Kapelle (Z) which was between that chapel and the chapter hall and the passageway connecting the cloisters to the east side of the cathedral.

20th century

In the Second World War, the cathedral was severely damaged by bombing. The collapse of the vaults and walls led to the destruction of the wall and ceiling decoration created by Hermann tom Ring in the middle of the 16th century and the west portal from the first half of the 16th century (2). The treasury was removed from the cathedral during the war and remained unscathed.

Between 1946 and 1956, the cathedral was rebuilt. With the exception of the paintings mentioned above and the west portal, the cathedral was reconstructed according to its original appearance. Thus, the altars and epitaphs were returned to their original places.

In 1955 and 1956, the high choir (N), the altar room (L) and the east transept were reorganised liturgically according to the plans of Emil Steffann. The Baroque high altar which was originally located in the high choir was relocated to the west wall of the Old Choir (Westchoir, B). The cathedra is also located in the high choir in the same location. The main altar (Volksaltar, people's altar) was placed in the middle of the crossing (L), with the pews arranged around it on three sides.^[5]

In 1981, the new cathedral treasury was opened. It bordered on the northern edge of the cloisters and contained the cathedral treasury as well as artistic and cultural items from throughout the diocese' history.

Between 1985 and 1990, the windows of the sidewalls of the ambulatory (S) and the surrounding ring of chapels (O, P, Q and R) were restored. These windows consisted of a cycle of 17 glass windows made by glass artist Georg Meistermann. The windows are decorated with abstract-geometric colour surfaces and symbolic Biblical motifs.^[6]

21st century

High Gothic portal (c. 1400)

Around 1400 a (first) portal in the High Gothic style was installed in the west wall of the Old Choir, in the same location as the later portal in the late gothic style (see below).

Westwerk with late gothic west portal, c. 1900

Simplified restored westwerk. Differences are clearly visible between the towers.

The niches of the recesses containing the doors were decorated with sculptures. It is assumed that a siren, a lamb and a lion decorated the left side, while a phoenix, a pelican and an eagle. Additional decoration consisted of wimperg and corbels decorated with foliage and long-haired, crowned female heads. These were very severely damaged during the Anabaptist rule of Münster in 1534–1535, after the Anabaptists launched an iconoclasm and destroyed sculptures and figures.

Late Gothic portal (1516)

In 1516 the portal was restored and expanded. This was a significant expansion of the cathedral: the result was an imposing west portal in the late gothic style, which formed a key part of the cathedral for almost 450 years.

The dry-stone pediment was replaced by a pediment of cut stone blocks and richly decorated with images and sculpture. Above the portal was a trace-work gallery with giant trace-work windows (9.62 m high and 6.7 m wide). On the sides were statues of St Paul and St Peter. Above the trace-work gallery were three pointed arch niches with life size sculptures depicting the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The figures in the middle niche were 2.4 x 2.3 m in size, in the left niche 1.98 x 1.54 m and in the right niche 1.84 x 1.37 m. They were made by Heinrich Brabender and were the only figures in Münster to survive the iconoclasm of the Anabaptists, probably because their height made them too difficult to reach. Two corbels from the westwerk by Heinrich Brabender, one of which is probably a self-portrait, are now on display in the Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History.

During a renovation of the west portal in 1850, the trace-work gallery and the pinnacles above the gable were restored. In 1904 the stained-glass windows were replaced by a painted glass window donated by Kaiser Wilhelm and created by the artist Carl de Bouché. This window depicted the meeting of Charlemagne, Pope Leo III and Liudger in 799 at Paderborn.

From the first half of the eighteenth century, the west portal had a forecourt which was divided off from the Domplatz by a stone balustrade and a high iron grill. It was created in 1710 at the earliest and in 1748 at the latest. The entrance on one side was decorated with a 1.66 m high and 1.74 m wide depiction of religion in the form of a woman with a cross and a tablet of laws enthroned on clouds, which was created by Johann Christoph Manskirch. A small angel pointed to the tablet, while a sinner was depicted falling into the depths with a snake in his hand. The depiction on the other side is not preserved and cannot be determined from old photographs. Max Geisberg considered it a depiction of the church, Guilleaume a depiction of the Old and New Testaments. The forecourt was expanded in 1873, in the process of which the iron railing is meant to have been sold to the Count of Landsberg.

After the Second World War

The portal was destroyed by a bombing raid in the Second World War and was not rebuilt after the war. The remains of the west portal were removed and replaced by a simple sandstone wall.

Before this, there was heated discussion among conservators and the people of Münster about how the portal should be restored. The plans of the bishop of the time, Michael Keller, for the restoration of the original Romanesque west portal provoked an explosion of letters of protest in the Westfälische Nachrichten.^[12] These had no effect on the bishop's intentions.

Following a plan by Fritz Thoma, twelve round windows were built in a circle in the west wall, with four further windows arranged in a square inside them. This arrangement was based on the original Romanesque westwerk, with clear influence of 1950s architectural fashions. Scornful names for the sixteen windows circulated among the populace. Thus, they are sometimes called "Keller windows" (in reference to their builder, bishop Keller), "Seelenbrause" (Soul-burst),^[12] or "Wählscheibe Gottes" (God's rotary dial).^[12]

Exterior differences

Despite their identical external appearance, the towers are clearly different sizes. Compared to the north tower (A), the south tower (C) is somewhat smaller and shorter.

On the other hand, the walls of the lower three stories of the north tower are narrower than those of the south tower. This is clear since the chapel on the ground floor of the south tower is manifestly smaller than the chapel on the ground floor of the north tower. This large difference in the lower levels makes it clear that the respective ground floor chapels are meant to be aligned with the side-aisles. Since their ground plan derives from the second, Ottonian cathedral, adjustments had to be made to the towers in order to incorporate them into the third and current cathedral. To compensate for this obvious asymmetry, they near the same size in their upper portions.

In addition, the two towers are similar in their dimensions. Until the restoration of the north tower after a partial collapse during World War II, the difference in roof level was only 25 centimetres.

Interior

Inside the towers there are two chapels, one on top of the other. The two chapels on the ground floor (already mentioned) are the Katharinenkapelle (south tower) and the Petruskapelle (north tower), which are accessed from the west transept.

The upstairs chapels do not have altars. They are reached by vaulted stone stairs, which lead from the west transept to the corner in the outer walls of the towers. Because of the thickness of the walls of the north tower, the stairs in this tower are completely within the walls. In the south tower they visibly extend into the interior. This form of stair system was a significant and influential model for many Westphalian church buildings.

There are doors in the upper chapels leading to the walkways behind the column galleries of the Old Choir. Above these walkways, the two towers are connected with each other. The stairs lead into rooms above the tower chapels. There are 54-centimetre-wide (21 in) slit windows in their western exterior walls. From this room, wooden stairs and ladders lead up into the top four levels of the two towers. They can be discerned from the outside from their windows and vault structures and begin 18.37 m above the ground. Niches are formed by ashlar lesenes, but they are not identical on each side of the tower. On the west faces there are four niches formed by five lesenes. On the north side of the north tower and the south side of the south tower on both levels there are only four lesenes. On the uppermost levels on both towers are two pointed arches containing pointed windows. On the north tower there are three of these arches one inside the other; on the south tower only two.

North tower

Lower chapel of north tower, upper chapel with organ

The lower chapel of the north tower is dedicated to St Peter and is 75 cm below the floor level of the west transept and the rest of the cathedral. It was probably home to the treasury chamber from the fourteenth century. For this reason, the access from the west transept was only through two doors – the south door led through a short passage to the chapel itself, while the north door led to the treasury chamber which was probably inside the masonry of the walls.

From the fifteenth century, the north tower was also the armarium, the storage space for the holy scriptures. It retained this function until 1 March 1859, when the cathedral chapter ordered the construction of a dividing wall between the chapel and the transept. From 21 November 1793 until 27 March 1794, the tower held not only the cathedral treasury, but also Cologne cathedral treasury, which was brought to Münster for protection from the French during the War of the First Coalition.

After a decision on 21 December 1870, the baptismal font was moved into the Petruskapelle. Along with this, it was closed off with the Landsberg iron grills, which had previously separated off the organ within the Old Choir.

A special feature of the tower is found high up in the upper chapel. In a small chamber, there is a 0.8 m high and 1.4 m wide gravestone showing a woman in prayer. It was apparently already old before the construction of the Westwerk in 1190, since there was no hesitation at recycling it as building material for the cathedral.

The north tower was badly damaged in the Second World War; the upper two levels were partially destroyed. During the restoration, the aforementioned levels and the roof were rebuilt. At the same time, the interior of the tower was renovated and the Petruskapelle made into the treasury chamber once more. After the completion of the new treasury chamber to the north of the cloisters in 1981, the treasury was moved there.

In the "upper" chapel are the auxiliary works of the main organ.

South tower

south tower: Upper and lower chapels (with opening to the belfry)

Since the beginning of the 17th century, the lower chapel of the south tower, the Katharinenkapelle has contained the "Heilige Grab" (Holy grave). On 31 January 1685 it was decided to convert this into a permanent tomb. To do this, it was necessary to remove the altar and transfer the mass to the primaltar. After the death of the deacon at the time, Johann Rotgar, who had been a leading force in the conversion of the chapel, his two grave stones were placed in the chapel.

From 1935 the room served as a memorial chapel for those "fallen in war and labour" („Gefallenen des Krieges und der Arbeit“) and was equipped with a new altar and altar cross. A restored wrought iron hanger from the 17th century held a commemorative flame, while the room was further decorated with a late gothic table and two stone angels.

After the south tower was burnt in the Second World War, damage to the exterior walls was repaired and both chapels were renovated. Thereafter the Katharinenkapelle served as a baptistry for a long time until it was rearranged with the addition of an altar with the triptych "Piety and Resurrection" ("Pietá und Auferstehung") on 7 November 2003.

Sakramentskapelle

View into the Sakramentskapelle

View up the nave towards the choir

A passage off the north side-aisle leads through a notable seventeenth-century bronze door to the Sakramentskapelle (J).

The Sakramentskapelle was built as an annexe behind the Stephanuschor at the end of the seventeenth or beginning of the eighteenth century. It served as a sacristry at first, then as the treasury chamber from 1930, and finally in 1956 it was consecrated as a chapel.

Only the bronze door remains of the original furnishings. This is a cast bronze door which is 2.1 m high and 1.12 m wide. It was cast by Johann Mauritz Gröninger.^[16]

Images

• 
  Glass windows in the northern side aisle, originally from the cloisters of Marienfeld Abbey.
• 
  Censer/Eternal flame (in front of the Sakramentskapelle)

Kreuzkapelle

• The Kreuzkapelle is north of the main apse.

Galen side chapels

These three chapels were built at the order of Prince-Bishop Christoph Bernhard von Galen from 1663 to supplement the pre-existing Kreuzkapelle. The reason for the construction was a vow made before victory over the city of Münster in 1661. They are known today as the "Galen side-chapels" (Galenschen Seitenkapellen). Most of their decoration was produced by the Prince-Bishop's court artist, Johann Mauritz Gröninger.

• The east side-chapel (on the axis of the main apse) is the Josephs-kapelle. Inside is the tomb of Prince-Bishop Christoph Bernard von Galen.
• South of the main apse is the Ludgerus-Kapelle. Its contents include the memorial of Clemens August Graf von Galen and the Reliquary statue of St Liudger
• The southernmost side chapel is the Maximus-kapelle. It contains a valuable ivory crucifix and the grave of assistant bishop Maximilian Gereon Graf von Galen.

• 
  Portal of Josephskapelle.
• 
  At left, portal of the Ludgeruskapelle; at right, Maximuskapelle.

Chapter house

The chapter house (T) is accessed from the sacristry (and the choir). The cathedral chapter convenes in this hall, when a new bishop is ordained. In the hall is a dark wooden table with twelve high-backed stools for the members of the chapter. The wood-panelling on the walls resembles that in Friedensaal of the City Hall. The panels display the arms of former capitularies, who were all appointed from the nobility until the beginning of the nineteenth century.^[18]

Garden Hall

From the northern cloisters one can access the bishop's Garden hall (Gartensaal), which is also known as the "Kachelzimmer" (Tiled room) or "blau zimmer" (blue room). The hall's walls are decorated with white-blue tiles and until the bombing of the cathedral in 1943 it was part of the bishop's palace. The tiles depict the four elements, the four seasons, the Sun and Moon (or Day and Night), the Apostle Paul and a scene of Jesus "calming the storm" (Matthew 8.24–27). These tiles were installed in the sixteenth century and only about a third of the originals survive; the remaining tiles are artistic restorations.^[19]

Figure at the lantern of the dead

Quadrangle of the cloisters with the Cemetery of the Domherrs

Domherrenfriedhof

The quadrangle inside the cloisters contains the cemetery of the Domherrs (V, German: Domherrenfriedhof). The cemetery is still in use today. Among the most recent burials were those of auxiliary bishop Josef Voß in 2009, auxiliary bishop Alfons Demming in 2012, cathedral vicar Hans Ossing in 2014 and cathedral provost Josef Alfers in 2022.

In the center of the cemetery is a lantern of the dead created in the middle of the 16th century, presumably by a sculptor from Münster. The figure of the death on its top was renewed in 1929. In 1985, the lantern was replaced by a copy.^[20]

Baroque high altar

Baroque high altar

On the west wall of the Old Choir is the Baroque high altar (1.), which was made by Adrian van den Boegart und Gerhard Gröninger. The high altar was donated by Gröninger on behalf of the cathedral chapter in 1619. The new high altar was intended to be able to hold, protect and display all the relics of the cathedral. Gröninger supplied further altar designs, in which the central part of the altar (retabel) was conceived as a stone reliquary. He discussed the form of the altar wings, also in 1619, with the important painter Peter Paul Rubens. But the order for the six panel paintings of the altar wings was filled in the end by Adrian van den Boegart of Amsterdam.

The high altar, with its painted and carved wings was located in the high choir of the cathedral from its creation until the beginning of the twentieth century and permanently displayed various relics. In the course of the restoration of the altar space and high choir after the Second World War, the high altar was transferred to the westwerk. The relics which were originally housed in the high altar, are now on display in the cathedral treasury. The fourteenth-century statues of the Apostles, which were also displayed on the high altar, are now in lighted niches of the celebration altar at the centre of the altar island. The central part of the high altar is only decorated with the items from the cathedral treasury for which it was originally made on special occasions – most recently the cathedral jubilee in 2014.^[21]

Baptismal font

Baptismal font with lion motifs in the west choir

The baptismal font (3.) in the Old Choir dates from the early 14th century. It shows depictions of the Baptism of Jesus and the four evangelists.^[23]

Plaque for Cardinal Höffner

On the northwest crossing pillar of the westwerk hangs a memorial (2.) for Cardinal Joseph Höffner who was Bishop of Münster (1962–1968). It is a bronze relief (shoulder bust) made by sculptor Karl Burgeff of Cologne and was installed in the cathedral during the city's 1200th anniversary celebrations.^[24] The relief is about 1.46 m high and 60 cm wide. It shows the Cardinal in episcopal costume, i.e. the cope and mitre, but without his crozier. His narrow, ascetic face is striking; his severe eyes look out directly at the viewer from thick glasses.

The plaque reads "Gedenken an Joseph Kardinal Höffner 1906–1987 / Bischof von Münster 1962–1968 / Erzbischof von Köln 1969–1987" (In gratitude for Cardinal Joseph Höffner 1906–1987 / Bishop of Münster 1962–1968 / Archbishop of Cologne 1968–1987) and also has a quote of the bishop on the occasion of his departure: "Wenn ihr alles getan habt, was euch befohlen wurde, sollt ihr sagen: wir sind unnütze Knechte! Wir haben nur unsere Schuldigkeit getan. Keiner von uns wird zu sagen wagen, dass er alles getan hat. Deshalb bitte ich um Vergebung für alles, was ich als Bischof versäumt habe" (When you have done everything asked of you, you should say: we are useless servants! We have only done our duty. None of us will dare to say that they have done everything. So I beg forgiveness for everything I have not done as bishop). The relief shows the bronze arms of the cardinal as well, with his motto "justitia et carita" (justice and love).^[25]

Triptych

Triptych in the south tower chapel

There is a large triptych (4.) "Pietà und Auferstehung" (Piety and Resurrection) in the chapel of the south tower, which was made by artist Thomas Lange. It shows the descent from the cross in the foreground and the sketched shape of Mary in the background, with the dead Christ resting in her lap. God the Father is visible in the upper part. The triptych was donated by a private individual.^[26]

Statue of St Barbara

In the entrance area (south-west transept) is a statue of St Barbara which is not very prominently displayed. She holds a round tower with three windows in her hands. The legend has it that the saint was locked in a tower by her father to keep her from marriage and Christian influence. Because of the cramped nature of the tower and its stairway, she is now patron saint of miners – the cramped tower symbolises the way through the narrow door of death to eternal life.

Images

• 
  Epitaph of Bernhard von Westerholt († 1609)
• 
  Epitaph of Otto von Dorgelo (in the transept)
• 
  Depiction of Mary
• 
  Statue in the paradise

Christophorus-Statue

On the pillar on the northern transition from the west transept to the central aisle of the nave is a monumental statue of St Christopher (5.). Statues of this saint have been common in entrance ways since the Middle Ages: a quick look at the statue is meant to protect from sudden death. The sculpture dates to 1627. It was made by Johann von Bocholt.

The sculpture was only slightly damaged in the Second World War. In the course of the restoration work after the war however, the original paintwork of the statue was destroyed. In its left hand the statue holds a leafless trunk with branches. On his right shoulder is the young Jesus, with his right hand raised in a benediction. The inscription on the base of the statue commemorates provost and Domherr Johann Heidenreich of Vörden zu Darfeld, who commissioned it.^[27]

St Catherine

Opposite the pulpit is a statue of St Catherine. She is the patroness of preachers and is invoked to save the "tongue tied."

Von Velen's Epitaph

In the south side-aisle (I) is the epitaph of Domsenior Anton Heinrich Hermann von Valen, which was made in his lifetime by the carpenter Johann Heinrich König and was completed in 1738.

Images

• 
  Pulpit and Laurentius-Altar
• 
  Von Velen's Epitaph
• 
  Christophorus-Statue and Blasius-Altar
• 
  Blasius-Altar
• 
  The Epitaph of Jodokus von Droste (left)

Van Büren Epitaph altar

In the south arm of the east transept is a painted stone relief (6.) depicting the Adoration of the Magi: in the centre is the Mother of God with the newborn Jesus in her lap taking a gift from the kneeling king Melchior. The king is depicted in the guise of Domherr Melchior van Büren, who donated the altar. Behind him stands King Caspar with a golden goblet prepared as a gift for the baby Jesus. King Balthasar is depicted as an African. He too stands behind the kneeling king Melchior. Joseph and the Apostle Bartholomew are included in the scene, as are two armed putti. The monument was created before 1534.

Tomb of von Plettenberg

Tomb of Prince-Bishop von Plettenberg

Stephanus-Altar

In the north arm of the east transept (the Stephanus-Choir) is the grave monument of Prince-Bishop Friedrich Christian von Plettenberg (8.). Following his death in May 1706, it was installed between 1707 and 1708 by the sculptor Johann Mauritz Gröninger.

The grave monument consists of a portico structure, flanked by statues of von Plettenberg's name saints in episcopal costume with mitres and croziers – St Frederick on the left and Bishop Christian on the right. In the centre of the monument is a sarcophagus with the image of the Prince-Bishop on top of it. The prince's arms are displayed above the portico structure by putti. Von Plettenberg's titles and honours are inscribed on the front and back of the sarcophagus.

The image of the Prince-Bishop on top of the sarcophagus is in a half-sitting, half-lying position with his head looking slightly upwards. At his feet stands an angel with an open book. Originally the words "Diligite iustitiam, qui iudicatis terram" (Favour justice, you who pass judgement on the world: Wisdom 1.1.) were inscribed in the book. Behind the cardinal stands a second heavenly servant, holding the insignia of the Prince-Bishop.

In the upper part of the marble structure is a large clock. It is surrounded by drapery and a banner with the words "Consilio et Constantia" ("By Counsel and Constancy"). The clock itself was made by the clockmaker Joachim Münnig and painted by Wolff Heinrich Schmorck.

The monument is made of black and white marble. It originally stood in the High Choir, behind the astronomical clock – the two clocks were intended to use the same mechanism. Today it is located on the west wall of the east transept.^[28]

Pestkreuz

On the east wall of the Stephanus-Choir is a 14th-century processional cross. It is known as the "Pestkreuz" (Plague Cross), because it is believed that the sufferings of plague c. 1350 are reflected in the depiction of the woeful crucified Christ depicted on it.

The wooden cross and the statue of Jesus were made together. Jesus' face is wrought with cares and shows the signs of suffering. His half-opened eyes are swollen, his cheeks sunken, his lips slightly open. His emaciated body hangs from the cross.

On the back side of the statue there are two niches – one between the shoulder blades, the other larger one near the pelvis. They are now empty, but presumably originally held relics.^[29]

St. Liborius

In the Johannes-Choir, opposite the astronomical clock, is a lifesize figure of St Liborius. The saint is depicted in the costume of a bishop. In his left hand he holds a book with three stones, as patron saint of kidney stones. In his right hand he holds a gilt wooden crozier.

An old tradition is connected to the crozier, according to which, at the death of a diocesan bishop, Liborius' staff is placed at the dead man's feet. His successor must provide Liborius with a new staff.^[30] This tradition began during the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). At that time, the Domherrs of Paderborn sent their reliquaries to Münster, to protect them from robbery and arson. During their time in Münster are meant to have miraculously spared the city from the contemporaneous destruction. For this reason, the Domherr of Münster, Johann Wilhelm von Sintzig donated the state of St Liborius to the cathedral after the signing of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. Since then, each bishop is interred with the statue's crozier and his successor has to acquire a new one. This is to be an exact successor of its predecessor, made of Linden wood, with layers of chalk applied and decorated with gold leaf and oil paints.^[31]

Triumphal Cross

Triumphal cross

View into the choir. Rear of the astronomical clock at right under the triumphal cross. At left: tabernacle.

The Triumphal Cross (German: Triumphkreuz, 10.) is a monumental wooden crucifix, which hangs above the main altar in the high choir. It shows Jesus being crucified as continuous redeemer of sins, dressed like the risen Christ in a long, belted tunic shaped into grooved parallel folds. Christ is depicted in hieratic symmetry. Head, body, legs and feet are completely vertical, the arms extend absolutely horizontally. His open palms are nailed to the cross. His feet stand on a Suppedaneum and are not nailed. Jesus' bearded head appears solemn, with his eyes directed at the viewer. On the collar and chest of his high priestly gown are carvings imitating gemstones. The figure must have originally worn a crown, but this has been lost. This depiction is based on the vision of John of Patmos in the Book of Revelation (similem Filio hominis, vestitum podere, et precinctum ad mamillas zona aurea – "A likeness of the Son of man, dressed in the poderes with a golden belt tied round his breast," Rev 1:13).

The crucifix, also known as "Volto Santo" dates to the late 13th century. Cross and corpus are made of oak. The figure is c. 2.22 m high, his armspan is 1.98 m. The cross itself is 3.55 m high, 2.62 m wide and about 3 cm deep.

The Triumphal cross has only hung in the high choir of the cathedral as the altar cross since 1973. Before that it hung in the cloisters and was in poor condition. Parts of the arms of the cross and the ends of the arms had disappeared, and the figure was cracked. In 1973 and 1974, the cross was restored in Osnabrück, using photographs. In the course of the restoration, the lost ends of the arms were reconstructed. Whether the eight-petalled rosette pattern on the ends existed on the original is uncertain. Originally the crucifix was painted, but only a few traces still remain today. It is mounted on steel rods in its back side, which is undecorated because the work was originally designed as a wall hanging.^[32]

Further items

• The modern high altar (10.) is located under the crossing. It is made of sandstone and is shaped as a simple block. A lit vitrine is enclosed in its front side, in which the historic apostle statues from the old gothic high altar are displayed.
• In front of the northeastern crossing pillar is a Gothic filagreed Sakramentshaus (Tabernacle, 11.)
• In the centre of the high choir hangs a large wheel chandelier (13.).
• Halfway up the crossing pillars on the altar island are more-than-life-size stone statues of the Four Evangelists, who face towards all the cardinal directions, proclaiming the good news.
• Further statues of saints stand in the high choir. They symbolise the presence of the saints at the Eucharist. In addition to statues of the Mother of God, Joseph and the church's patron Paul (with a sword), there are stone statues of the twelve apostles, holding candlesticks, below the upper level of windows in the high choir.
• The bishop's seat, the cathedra is shaped like a professorial chair, which symbolises the instructional role of the bishop.

Astronomical clock

The astronomical clock was built between 1540 and 1542, replacing an earlier astronomical clock of 1408. It has a ten-bell chime which can be operated from the cathedral organ, and automata which move at the quarter hour. The main dial is an astrolabe, the lower dial is a calendar.

Statue of St Anthony

The ambulatory of the cathedral contains a statue of Saint Anthony of Padua, dressed as a Franciscan friar, with the baby Jesus in his arms. The saint looks at the child, smiling, and Jesus looks back at him.

The sculpture was made by court sculptor Johann Mauritz Gröninger of Münster. It was originally located in an abbey in Münster and came into the possession of the cathedral only in 1907 as the result of a (private) donation. The statue is dated to around 1675.^[33]

Stations of the Cross

In the niches of the walls of the choir screen are 15 stations of the cross (14.), which were made by the artist Bert Gerresheim of Düsseldorf) between 1995 and 1996. They are bronze sculptures in the round. They are special because modern-day individuals and important people from the diocese's history are depicted in the stations, including Karl Leisner, Sister Maria Euthymia, Niels Stensen, Anna Katharina Emmerick, Clemens August von Galen, Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa.^[34]

Bust of Cardinal von Galen

At the back wall of the high choir stands a pedestal with a bronze bust of Cardinal Clemens August von Galen (15.). It is a reproduction – the original was made in 1950 by sculptor Edwin Scharff for the foyer of the diocese's archives. The Cardinal is depicted with a mitre decorated with an image of the Good Shepherd. Source material for the bust included, among other things, the cardinal's death mask.

The reproduction was made in 1976 for the 30th anniversary of the Cardinal's death. It initially stood on a stone corbel in the burial chapel. When Pope John Paul II visited in 1987, the burial chapel was remodelled and the bust was moved out of the chapel to a location with a view of the chapel. The bust and tomb are linked by a bronze plate in the floor.^[35]

Ivory crucifix

In the Maximuskapelle is an ivory crucifix (18.), on permanent loan from a private owner. The sculpture was produced by Flemish artist Francois Duquesnoy (1597–1643).^[36]

Tomb of Christoph B. von Galen

The tomb of Prince-Bishop Christoph Bernhard von Galen (19.) is located in the St. Josephskapelle, the furthest east of the chapels built by him on the ambulatory. The monument was made by court sculptor Johann Mauritz Gröninger. Construction was begun during the life of the Prince-Bishop and was completed in 1679, the year after his death. The monument sits on a massive podium, with a marble statue of the Prince-Bishop kneeling on a cushion, venerating a crucifix which an angel holds in front of him. The Prince-Bishop is shown dressed in a surplice and a pluvial, with his crozier propped up behind him and his mitre on the floor in front of him.^[37]

Tomb of Cardinal von Galen

The tomb of Clemens August Graf von Galen (20.) is located in the southeast Galen chapel off the ambulatory, the Ludgeruskapelle. It consists of a grave plate made by South Tyrol sculptor Siegfried Moroder. It bears the following inscription:^[38]

Further items

• 
  Josephskapelle: Statue of St. Joseph, originally a pedimental sculpture on one of the farm buildings of Marienfeld Abbey
• 
  Maximuskapelle: Ivory crucifix
• 
  Maximuskapelle: Sebastian's altar

Der Bettler

In the cathedral cloisters is a bronze sculpture called "Der Bettler" ("The Beggar", 23.). The sculpture is an over-life-size depiction of an emaciated man on crutches, looking up towards heaven. The original sculpture was made by Ernst Barlach in 1930 in connection with plans for a sculptural cycle for the facade of the St. Catherine's Church in Lübeck, inspired by the concept of "Community of the Saints"; it was not meant to be a traditional depiction of a saint, but a depiction of human fundamentals.

The sculpture in the cathedral is one of eight copies produced in 1979–1980. The roughly 2.17 m high figure was originally in the St. Laurentius Kirche in Herne before being donated to the cathedral.^[39]