# Maribo Cathedral > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Maribo_Cathedral > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Maribo_Cathedral.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maribo_Cathedral > Source revision: 1354705965 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Church in Lolland, Denmark Maribo Cathedral Maribo Domkirke Maribo Domkirke Maribo Cathedral Location Lolland Country Denmark Denomination Church of Denmark Previous denomination Roman Catholic Website www.maribodomkirke.dk History Former name Maribo Abbey Church Status Cathedral Founded 15th century Dedication Virgin Mary Bridget of Sweden Architecture Architectural type Gothic Administration Diocese Lolland–Falster Clergy Bishop Marianne Gaarden **Maribo Cathedral** ([Danish](/source/Danish_language): *Maribo Domkirke*) is a Lutheran cathedral church built in the [Gothic](/source/Gothic_architecture) style in [Maribo](/source/Maribo) on the island of [Lolland](/source/Lolland) in the southeast of [Denmark](/source/Denmark). It was originally part of [Maribo Abbey](/source/Maribo_Abbey) which was founded in the early 15th century. The [chancel](/source/Chancel), the oldest section of the cathedral, probably dates from 1416. The plan of the church is unusual in that the [chancel](/source/Chancel) is at the west end of the building rather than the east as a result of the design instructions left by [Saint Bridget](/source/Bridget_of_Sweden).[1] ## History Maribo church was originally dedicated to the [Virgin Mary](/source/Virgin_Mary) and to [Saint Bridget of Vadstena](/source/Bridget_of_Sweden) (1303–1373), a [Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church) and the founder of the [Bridgettine](/source/Bridgettines) order of nuns and monks. The church was built in the village of [Skimminge](/source/Skimminge) (later renamed Maribo) in the early 15th century. It was [Queen Margrethe I](/source/Margaret_I_of_Denmark) who provided land for a monastery to be built there, encouraged by her childhood tutor, [Märta](/source/M%C3%A4rta_Ulfsdotter) (1319-1371), who was St. Bridget's daughter.[2] [3] 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.[4] A note from the journal of [Vadstena Abbey](/source/Vadstena_Abbey), the mother church, states that monks left to found a monastery in Skimminge in 1416. After the [Reformation](/source/Reformation_in_Denmark%E2%80%93Norway_and_Holstein) in 1536, the monastery continued to exist but in 1556 was converted into a [Protestant](/source/Protestantism) 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](/source/Diocese_of_Lolland%E2%80%93Falster), the church was usually referred to as a cathedral but it was only in 1924 that it officially received the status of cathedral (*domkirke*).[1][5] ## Architecture Cathedral nave The Gothic cathedral is built of red brick as a [hall church](/source/Hall_church) with a [nave](/source/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 60 m (200 ft)) 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](/source/Hermann_Baag%C3%B8e_Storck) (1839–1922) the tower on the west gable is relatively recent (1891) but replaces an earlier tower built in the [Middle Ages](/source/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. [1] [5] [6] [7] ## Interior Northwest view on the Cathedral The Baroque [altarpiece](/source/Altarpiece) (1641) carved in the [auricular style](/source/Auricular_style) is the work of sculptor [Henrik Werner](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Henrik_Werner&action=edit&redlink=1) (ca. 1636–ca. 1669) from northern Germany. The central panel, flanked by columns, depicts the [Last Supper](/source/Last_Supper). Below Christ can be seen in the [Garden of Gethsemane](/source/Garden_of_Gethsemane) and, above, at the [Resurrection](/source/Resurrection_of_Jesus). Figures of the [four Evangelists](/source/Four_Evangelists) are also presented. [5] [8] The baptismal font is of sandstone and dates from 1777. The Late-Renaissance [pulpit](/source/Pulpit) (1606) has five arcaded panels with the [Evangelists](/source/Four_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 [font](/source/Baptismal_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 [Saint Augustine](/source/Augustine_of_Hippo) in pontifical attire flanked by paintings of the [Holy Trinity](/source/Holy_Trinity), [Pope Gregory](/source/Pope_Gregory_I)'s mass, the [Annunciation](/source/Annunciation) and [Saint Anne](/source/Saint_Anne).[5] 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](/source/Virgin_Mary). Housed in a cupboard with two doors, it is said to be the oldest painting on canvas in Scandinavia.[5] ## Gallery - Pulpit (1606) - Baptismal Font (1777) - Altarpiece (1641) ## See also - [Maribo Abbey](/source/Maribo_Abbey) - [List of churches on Lolland](/source/List_of_churches_on_Lolland) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-natmus_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-natmus_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-natmus_1-2) [Kirsten Weber-Andersen, Otto Norn, Aage Roussell, Gertrud Købke Knudsen, "Maribo Domkirke"](http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/uploads/tx_tcchurchsearch/Maribo_0029-0088.pdf), *Danmarks kirker: Maribo amt, Volume 8*, 1951, Nationalmuseet, pages 29-88. (in Danish) Retrieved 13 August 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Sancta Birgitta"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040608114511/http://birgitta.vadstena.se/). Municipality of Vadstena, Sweden. Archived from [the original](http://birgitta.vadstena.se/) on June 8, 2004. Retrieved September 1, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Hjorthufvud, Märtha, dotter af Sta Brigitta"](https://runeberg.org/sqvinnor/0213.html). Anteckningar om svenska qvinnor. 1864. Retrieved September 1, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Frederik Raben-Levetzau: "Lolland Falster Møn", Copenhagen, Gyldendalske Boghandel, Nordisk Forlag A.S., 1988. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [87-00-80946-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/87-00-80946-2), page 128-. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-md_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-md_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-md_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-md_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-md_5-4) ["Historie"](http://www.maribodomkirke.dk/index.php/historie) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130630174448/http://www.maribodomkirke.dk/index.php/historie) 2013-06-30 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), Maribo Domkirke. (in Danish) Retrieved 13 August 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Maribo Domkirke"](http://www.nordenskirker.dk/Tidligere/Maribo_domkirke/Maribo_domkirke.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110129033340/http://www.nordenskirker.dk/Tidligere/Maribo_domkirke/Maribo_domkirke.htm) 2011-01-29 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Nordens Kirker*. (in Danish) Retrieved 13 August 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["H.B. Storck"](http://denstoredanske.dk/Kunst_og_kultur/Arkitektur/Danmark/Hermann_Baag%C3%B8e_Storck). Den Store Danske, Gyldendal. Retrieved September 1, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Henrik Werner"](https://www.kulturarv.dk/kid/VisKunstner.do?kunstnerId=11269&wsektion=alle). Kunstindeks Danmark. Retrieved September 1, 2018. ## Further reading - Felter, Immanuel (1966). [*Maribo domkirke 1416-1966. Med særligt henblick på kirkebygningen i middelalderen og idag. (Særtryk af Lolland-Falsters historiske Samfunds årbog.) \[With illustrations.\]*](https://books.google.com/books?id=-AEHMwEACAAJ).. (in Danish) - [Kirsten Weber-Andersen, Otto Norn, Aage Roussell, Gertrud Købke Knudsen, "Maribo Domkirke"](http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/uploads/tx_tcchurchsearch/Maribo_0029-0088.pdf), *Danmarks kirker: Maribo amt, Volume 8*, 1951, Nationalmuseet, pages 29–88. (in Danish) ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Maribo Domkirke](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Maribo_Domkirke). - [Maribo Domkirke](http://www.maribodomkirke.dk/): official site - [Maribo Domkirke](http://www.nordenskirker.dk/Tidligere/Maribo_domkirke/Maribo_domkirke.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110129033340/http://www.nordenskirker.dk/Tidligere/Maribo_domkirke/Maribo_domkirke.htm) 2011-01-29 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) (Nordens Kirker) - [Maribo Domkirke](http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Kunst_og_kultur/Arkitektur/Danske_kirker/Maribo_Domkirke) (Den Store Danske) - [Maribo Domkirke](http://www.korttilkirken.dk/kirkerM/maribodom.htm) (Kort Til Kirken) - [Maribo Domkirke](http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/kirkedata/maribo/maribo_domkirke/) (Danmarks Kirker, Nationalmuseet) v t e Cathedrals of the Church of Denmark Aarhus Budolfi (Aalborg) St. Canute's (Odense) Haderslev Maribo St. Olaf's (Helsingør) Our Lady (Copenhagen) Ribe Roskilde Viborg Nuuk (Greenland) v t e Lolland, Denmark Towns and villages Bandholm Birket Branderslev Dannemare Guldborg Holeby Horslunde Hunseby Kettinge Maribo Nagelsti Nakskov Nørreballe Nysted Øster Ulslev Rødby Rødbyhavn Sakskøbing Sandby Søllested Stokkemarke Sundby Toreby Localities Albuen Culture and attractions Fuglsang Art Museum Fuglsang Cultural Centre Knuthenborg Safaripark Lalandia Maribo Open-Air Museum Middelaldercentret Reventlow Museum Stiftsmuseum Maribo Churches Arninge Church Avnede Church Bandholm Church Birket Church Dannemare Church Errindlev Church Frederiksdal Fuglse Church Gloslunde Church Halsted Church Horslunde Church Hunseby Church Købelev Church Maribo Cathedral Nakskov Church Olstrup Church Østofte Church Sandby Church Sakskøbing Church Stokkemarke Church Tågerup Church Tillitse Church Toreby Church Manor houses Aalholm Berritzgaard Bramsløkke Christianssæde Engestofte Fredholm Halsted Priory Højbygård Knuthenborg Knuthenlund Krenkerup Lungholm Orebygaard Pederstrup Rudbjerggaard Sæbyholm Søholt Søllestedgård Vindeholme Other landmarks Gloslunde Rectory Kattinge Windmill Kong Svends Høj Nakskov Old Pharmacy Oreby Mølle Reventlow Asylum Reventlow Warehouse Geography Guldborgsund Maribo Lakes Nature Reserve Nakskov Fjord History 1872 Baltic Sea flood Maribo Abbey Nysted Friary Transport Danish national road 9 E47 Fehmarn Belt fixed link Frederick IX Bridge Guldborgsund Bridge Lolland Falster Airport Scandlines South Line Other Diocese of Lolland–Falster Guldborgsund Municipality Lolland Municipality Authority control databases VIAF [54°46′22″N 11°30′00″E / 54.77278°N 11.50000°E / 54.77278; 11.50000](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Maribo_Cathedral¶ms=54_46_22_N_11_30_00_E_) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Maribo Cathedral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maribo_Cathedral) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maribo_Cathedral?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.