Attraction · Brunswick · Updated on 1 November 2026.

Brunswick Cathedral

Brunswick Cathedral is an attraction in Brunswick, Lower Saxony. This place has a story in the app. 20 of the 49 well-known points of interest nearby are within 1 km. Within 150 m you'll find a bench, a water point, a bike pump and a public toilet.

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The story

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Story · Brunswick Cathedral

You're standing at Brunswick Cathedral, the most important church in the city. Right across from it stands Dankwarderode Castle, and that's no coincidence. Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, founded this church in 1173, right next to his own castle. He meant it as his burial church, and that of his wife Matilda.

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Opening hours and admission

Wheelchair: Accessible

Source: OpenStreetMap and Wikidata.

Photos

10 photos from Wikimedia Commons. In the app you add your own photo when you are there.

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Photo: Jorge Saturno · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons

Brunswick Cathedral in Brunswick: the city's main church

This is the main church of the city, Brunswick Cathedral (Dom van Braunschweig) in Brunswick. Hendrik de Leeuw founded the church in 1173. He wanted to be buried there, together with his wife Mathilde. Their grave is still there, and Otto IV is also buried here. Around 350,000 people walk in each year. You will find the church at Burgplatz 7 in Brunswick, in Nedersaksen. Nearby are the Braunschweiger Löwe (44 metres), the Burgplatz (50 metres) and Burg Dankwarderode (59 metres).

What you can see at Brunswick Cathedral

Start outside, at the octagonal towers. They were never fully completed. Between the towers stands a bell frame from around 1300. Next, walk to the east side, where the original structure is at its most authentic. On that wall, look for a cannonball. Beneath it is a date from the summer of 1615, written in numerals. On the north side is the Leeuwenportaal, the only portal from that period that has survived. You can see deep scratches in the stone. Inside, many wall paintings from the thirteenth century have been preserved. In the northern side aisle hangs the kruis van Imervard, which is older than the church itself. Its name is inscribed on the gordel van Christus. You will also see a candelabrum that is 5 metres high. In front of the Maria-altaar from 1188 lies the tomb monument of Hendrik, holding a model of the church in his hand. In the crypt rest Welfische vorsten.

The history of Brunswick Cathedral

Hendrik de Leeuw had the church built next to his own castle, Dankwarderode, which still stands opposite it today. In 1543 the Cathedral turned protestant. In the summer of 1615 the city was besieged, and the church came under fire. A darker chapter followed in 1935. The nazi's had the tomb of Hendrik opened, and Hitler came to see it for himself. The church became a national place of worship. Crosses and paintings were removed, and a new burial vault was created beneath the church. After the war, much of this was reversed as far as possible, and the Cathedral became an ordinary church once more.

Benches, drinking water and toilets nearby

Benches near Brunswick Cathedral are easy to find. The nearest bench is 15 metres from the church, at Domplatz. Within 500 metres there are 128 benches. Drinking water at Brunswick Cathedral is 34 metres away, at Trinkwasserstelle Domplatz. Within 500 metres there are 5 drinking water points. A toilet near Brunswick Cathedral is 150 metres away, at Dankwardstraße. This public toilet is wheelchair accessible. Within 500 metres there are 3 public toilets. If you have a bike with you, there is a bike pump 103 metres from the church, at Platz der Deutschen Einheit. That is the only bike pump within 500 metres.

Walking and more to see nearby

Your visit to the Cathedral is a short walk from several other sights. The Braunschweigisches Landesmuseum is just 88 metres from the church, so you can pop in for a quick look. Keep going a little further and you reach the Braunschweiger Quadriga after 252 metres, a memorial. The Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum is the furthest point on this route, 637 metres from the Cathedral. Everything is close together, so you can easily combine these places in one walk. Start at the Cathedral, walk past the museums and the memorial, and then head back.

Facilities near Brunswick Cathedral

The nearest pitstop of each kind within 1 km, as the crow flies. No honesty box within 1 km.

Well-known points of interest nearby

49 well-known points of interest nearby, those with an audio tour first. 20 of the 49 well-known points of interest nearby are within 1 km.

MuseumStory

Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum · 640 m

Photo: Claus Cordes · Wikimedia Commons · Copyrighted free useView the photo on Wikimedia Commons

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Walks within 2 km

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Cycle routes within 5 km

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I find drinking water near Brunswick cathedral?

The nearest drinking water point is Trinkwasserstelle Domplatz, 34 metres from Brunswick Cathedral. There are 5 drinking water points within 500 metres in total.

Is there a toilet near Brunswick cathedral?

The nearest public toilet is 150 metres away, at Dankwardstraße, and is wheelchair accessible. There are 3 public toilets within 500 metres.

Are there benches near Brunswick cathedral?

Yes, the nearest bench is 15 metres away, at Domplatz. There are 128 benches within 500 metres.

When was Brunswick cathedral founded?

Hendrik de Leeuw founded Brunswick Cathedral in 1173. He wanted it to become his own burial church and that of his wife Mathilde.

How many people visit Brunswick cathedral each year?

Around 350,000 people visit Brunswick Cathedral every year.

What is there to see inside Brunswick cathedral?

Inside, you can see wall paintings, the cross of Imervard and a 7-branched candelabrum 5 metres high. There is also the tomb monument of Hendrik de Leeuw and, in the crypt, princes and Otto IV.