Maribo Cathedral

{{Infobox church | name = Maribo Cathedral | native_name = Maribo Domkirke | image = Maribo Domkirke.JPG | image_size = 250px | caption = Maribo Domkirke | location = [[Lolland]] | country = Denmark | latitude = | longitude = | denomination = [[Church of Denmark]] | previous_denomination = [[Roman Catholic]] | district = | status = [[Cathedral]] | dedication = [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Virgin Mary]]<br />[[Bridget of Sweden]] | leadership = | website = {{url|https://www.maribodomkirke.dk}} | former_name = Maribo Abbey Church | founded = 15th century | architect = | architectural_type = [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] | facade_direction = | completed = | construction_cost = | capacity = | length = | width = | height = | materials = | diocese = [[Diocese of Lolland–Falster|Lolland–Falster]] | bishop = [[Marianne Gaarden]] | dean = | vicar = }}

'''Maribo Cathedral''' ({{langx|da|Maribo Domkirke}}) is a Lutheran cathedral church built in the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style in [[Maribo]] on the island of [[Lolland]] in the southeast of [[Denmark]]. It was originally part of [[Maribo Abbey]] which was founded in the early 15th century. The [[chancel]], the oldest section of the cathedral, probably dates from 1416. The plan of the church is unusual in that the [[chancel]] is at the west end of the building rather than the east as a result of the design instructions left by [[Bridget of Sweden|Saint Bridget]].<ref name=natmus>[http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/uploads/tx_tcchurchsearch/Maribo_0029-0088.pdf Kirsten Weber-Andersen, Otto Norn, Aage Roussell, Gertrud Købke Knudsen, "Maribo Domkirke"], ''Danmarks kirker: Maribo amt, Volume 8'', 1951, Nationalmuseet, pages 29-88. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 13 August 2013.</ref>

==History== Maribo church was originally dedicated to the [[Virgin Mary]] and to [[Bridget of Sweden|Saint Bridget of Vadstena]] (1303–1373), a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] and the founder of the [[Bridgettines|Bridgettine]] order of nuns and monks. The church was built in the village of [[Skimminge]] (later renamed Maribo) in the early 15th century. It was [[Margaret I of Denmark|Queen Margrethe I]] who provided land for a monastery to be built there, encouraged by her childhood tutor, [[Märta Ulfsdotter|Märta]] (1319-1371), who was St. Bridget's daughter.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://birgitta.vadstena.se/|title = Sancta Birgitta|publisher = Municipality of Vadstena, Sweden|access-date = September 1, 2018|archive-date = June 8, 2004|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040608114511/http://birgitta.vadstena.se/|url-status = dead}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url = https://runeberg.org/sqvinnor/0213.html|title = Hjorthufvud, Märtha, dotter af Sta Brigitta |year = 1864 |publisher = Anteckningar om svenska qvinnor |access-date = September 1, 2018}}</ref>

In 1418, in connection with recognition of the monastery, the pope decreed that the town should be renamed the community of Mary (''Habitaculum Mariae'') leading to the adoption of Danish Marienbo, later Maribo.<ref>Frederik Raben-Levetzau: "Lolland Falster Møn", Copenhagen, Gyldendalske Boghandel, Nordisk Forlag A.S., 1988. {{ISBN|87-00-80946-2}}, page 128-.</ref> A note from the journal of [[Vadstena Abbey]], the mother church, states that monks left to found a monastery in Skimminge in 1416.

After the [[Reformation in Denmark–Norway and Holstein|Reformation]] in 1536, the monastery continued to exist but in 1556 was converted into a [[Protestantism|Protestant]] convent for young ladies. When the town's main church burnt down in 1596, the convent church became the parish church of Maribo. After the convent was finally demolished in 1621, ownership of the church was transferred to the town. From 1803, with the establishment of the Lutheran [[Diocese of Lolland–Falster|Diocese of Lolland-Falster]], the church was usually referred to as a cathedral but it was only in 1924 that it officially received the status of cathedral (''domkirke'').<ref name="natmus" /><ref name="md">[http://www.maribodomkirke.dk/index.php/historie "Historie"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630174448/http://www.maribodomkirke.dk/index.php/historie |date=2013-06-30 }}, Maribo Domkirke. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 13 August 2013.</ref>

==Architecture== [[File:Maribo(11)Skibet set mod vest.JPG|300 px|thumb|Cathedral nave]]

The Gothic cathedral is built of red brick as a [[hall church]] with a [[nave]] flanked by equally high aisles with a common roof. In accordance with St. Bridget's instructions, to the west (rather than the east), there is a lower and narrower chancel. Completed in 1446, the four west bays of the nave (which has a total length of {{convert|60|m|abbr=on}}) are built of the same bricks as the chancel but the four east bays, completed around 1470, were apparently built by another mason. Designed by [[Hermann Baagøe Storck]] (1839–1922) the tower on the west gable is relatively recent (1891) but replaces an earlier tower built in the [[Middle Ages]], similar to that in the former Mariager Church which was also built according to St. Bridgit's instructions. The two doors at the west end of the building were for ordinary people: men used the south door while women entered through the north door. The relief in the gable wall represents Christ on the Cross surrounded by the sun and moon and by instruments of torture. The chancel has the same star-vaulting as the nave, supported by octagonal pillars. The galleries above the aisles and at the east end of the church were built to accommodate the nuns who had to be carefully separated from the monks and the congregation. <ref name=natmus/> <ref name=md/> <ref>[http://www.nordenskirker.dk/Tidligere/Maribo_domkirke/Maribo_domkirke.htm "Maribo Domkirke"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129033340/http://www.nordenskirker.dk/Tidligere/Maribo_domkirke/Maribo_domkirke.htm |date=2011-01-29 }}, ''Nordens Kirker''. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 13 August 2013.</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url =http://denstoredanske.dk/Kunst_og_kultur/Arkitektur/Danmark/Hermann_Baag%C3%B8e_Storck|title=H.B. Storck|publisher = Den Store Danske, Gyldendal|access-date=September 1, 2018}}</ref>

==Interior== [[File:Maribo Domkirke fra nordvest.JPG|thumb|300 px|Northwest view on the Cathedral]]

The Baroque [[altarpiece]] (1641) carved in the [[auricular style]] is the work of sculptor [[Henrik Werner]] (ca. 1636–ca. 1669) from northern Germany. The central panel, flanked by columns, depicts the [[Last Supper]]. Below Christ can be seen in the [[Garden of Gethsemane]] and, above, at the [[Resurrection of Jesus|Resurrection]]. Figures of the [[four Evangelists]] are also presented. <ref name=md/> <ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.kulturarv.dk/kid/VisKunstner.do?kunstnerId=11269&wsektion=alle |title = Henrik Werner|publisher = Kunstindeks Danmark |access-date = September 1, 2018}}</ref>

The baptismal font is of sandstone and dates from 1777. The Late-Renaissance [[pulpit]] (1606) has five arcaded panels with the [[Four Evangelists|Evangelists]] and the figure of Christ. The figure of Christ on the chancel arch crucifix is from the late 15th century although the cross itself is recent. The [[baptismal font|font]] is centred on the church's oldest font from the early 17th century. The figures of the Evangelists are presented in relief. It was renovated in 1777. The Augustinian Altar from the late 15th century depicting [[Augustine of Hippo|Saint Augustine]] in pontifical attire flanked by paintings of the [[Holy Trinity]], [[Pope Gregory I|Pope Gregory]]'s mass, the [[Annunciation]] and [[Saint Anne]].<ref name=md/>

Of particular note is the Bridget Altar (''Birgitta Alter'') from the late 15th century with a painting of a woman in flowing clothes, thought either to be St. Bridgit or the [[Virgin Mary]]. Housed in a cupboard with two doors, it is said to be the oldest painting on canvas in Scandinavia.<ref name=md/>

==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">

File:Maribo(21)Prædikestol.JPG|Pulpit <br />(1606) File:Maribo(22)Døbefont.JPG|Baptismal Font (1777) File:Maribo(16Altertavle) EDIT 2.JPG|Altarpiece (1641) </gallery>

==See also== *[[Maribo Abbey]] *[[List of churches on Lolland]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== *{{cite book|last=Felter|first=Immanuel|title=Maribo domkirke 1416-1966. Med særligt henblick på kirkebygningen i middelalderen og idag. (Særtryk af Lolland-Falsters historiske Samfunds årbog.) [With illustrations.].|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-AEHMwEACAAJ|year=1966}}. {{in lang|da}} *[http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/uploads/tx_tcchurchsearch/Maribo_0029-0088.pdf Kirsten Weber-Andersen, Otto Norn, Aage Roussell, Gertrud Købke Knudsen, "Maribo Domkirke"], ''Danmarks kirker: Maribo amt, Volume 8'', 1951, Nationalmuseet, pages 29–88. {{in lang|da}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Maribo Domkirke}} *[http://www.maribodomkirke.dk/ Maribo Domkirke]: official site * [http://www.nordenskirker.dk/Tidligere/Maribo_domkirke/Maribo_domkirke.htm Maribo Domkirke] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129033340/http://www.nordenskirker.dk/Tidligere/Maribo_domkirke/Maribo_domkirke.htm |date=2011-01-29 }} (Nordens Kirker) * [http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Kunst_og_kultur/Arkitektur/Danske_kirker/Maribo_Domkirke Maribo Domkirke] (Den Store Danske) * [http://www.korttilkirken.dk/kirkerM/maribodom.htm Maribo Domkirke] (Kort Til Kirken) * [http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/kirkedata/maribo/maribo_domkirke/ Maribo Domkirke] (Danmarks Kirker, Nationalmuseet)

[[Category:Lolland]] [[Category:Maribo]] [[Category:Churches in Lolland]] [[Category:Cathedrals in Denmark]] [[Category:Brick Gothic]] [[Category:Gothic architecture in Denmark]] [[Category:1416 establishments in Europe]] [[Category:15th-century establishments in Denmark]] [[Category:Lutheran churches converted from Roman Catholicism]] [[Category:Lutheran cathedrals in Denmark]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Lolland Municipality]] [[Category:Churches in the Diocese of Lolland–Falster]]