Ever been to Hildesheim?

Hildesheim is more than 1200 years old. The city is home to more than 40 churches. Hildesheim Cathedral and St. Michael’s Church are some of the most notable examples of Romanesque architecture. What was an Episcopal center in the Middle Ages is now a city of 100,000 inhabitants.

The legendary "Thousand-Year Rosebush" grows on the Hildesheim Cathedral wall. As the story goes, after the cathedral was destroyed by allied bombs in 1945, roses began to blossom among the ruins. Despite its name, scientists believe the rosebush is a "mere" 700 years old.

The double doors on the cathedral’s western side were commissioned by Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim. Dating back to the year 1015, they feature ornate bronze relief work, making them the oldest doors of their kind of the medieval period. The doors are now kept inside to protect them from the elements. In 1985, Hildesheim Cathedral was declared a world heritage site.

The Hezilo Chandelier has a diameter of more than six meters and can hold up to 72 candles. It was commissioned by Bishop Hezilo of Hildesheim. Another of the cathedral’s interior highlights is the baptismal font, which is cast in bronze and features Gothic-style ornamentation.

This oaken statue of the Virgin Mary and her baby Jesus was crafted by an unknown sculptor in the fifteenth century. The remarkable feature of the otherwise typical depiction of Mary is the inkpot she is holding out to her feather-clasping infant. The statue is located on the left-hand side of the church’s crossing.

In August 2014, the sculptor Ulrich Rückriem fashioned a new altar for the historic cathedral. Weighing in at five tonnes, the altar is made of limestone and has a gilded interior. It is positioned directly above the crypt containing the shrine of Bishop Godehard of Hildesheim. The altar’s simple form reflects the Romanesque style of its surroundings.

The Church of St. Michael, another world heritage site, has been gracing the German 2-euro coin since 2014. The side which usually features an eagle is now a form of promotion for Lower Saxony in general and Hildesheim in particular. Locals refer to the church simple as "Himmelsburg."

The Church of St Michael’s was designed with mathematical precision. Measuring the space between columns and windows reveals consistent ratios. A remarkable cultural treasure on the ceiling played a big part in the ultimate declaration of St. Michael’s as a world heritage site.

One of the most impressive features of St. Michael’s Church is the painted ceiling in the nave, which covers an area of 242 square-meters. The ceiling is made up of around 1300 oaken boards; the original trees are thought to have been felled in the thirteenth century. The painted masterpiece is divided into eight sections, of which seven have been fully preserved.

The first section shows Adam and Eve committing original sin in the Garden of Eden. Subsequent panels, featuring lush plants, outline the genealogy of Christ, portrayed in art as the "Tree of Jesse." Unfortunately, the identity of the artists behind the Romanesque masterpiece remains unknown. Visitors who want to get a proper view of the 16.5 meter-high ceiling, are advised to bring binoculars.

Each summer, the "M’era Luna" festival attracts huge crowds of gothic, wave and metal music fans. The event takes place on a former airbase. The focus is on the darker side of life, with many visitors dressing for the part, sporting dark eyeliner and pale makeup. Fashion styles on display include medieval, punk, fantasy and manga.

Seeing and being seen is an integral part of the experience. Many festival-goers who camp out on-site get their makeup touched up at one of the many stands offering the service. Gothic-style jewellery and retro leather garments are also for sale on the site. The most stylish visitors are selected to take part in the Gothic Fashion Show.

"M'era Luna" is a name that was invented with the intention of sounding authentic in several languages. Attracting some 25,000 visitors, the Hildesheim music festival is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. On August 11 and 12, 2018, Hildesheim will once again become the hotspot of the black scene.

The evening stroll across the market square with the Roland fountain and the half-timbered houses reconstructed true to the original is more contemplative. Hildesheim offers real contrasts.