Cathedral Treasury (Domschatzkammer)

But even aside from holy textiles, the Cathedral Treasury boasts an incredible collection. It’s no coincidence, then, that objects such as the 5th-century ivory carving depicting a relic procession, and which is considered one of the magnum opuses of Late-Antiquity art, or the stunningly intricate Gozbert thurible, created in Trier around 1100, or the famous 1000-year-old St Andrew’s Portable Altar, one of the most prominent works of 10th-century treasury art, are constantly in demand from museums worldwide – but are hardly ever loaned out. Although the collection lost many of its treasures to the smelting furnaces in the 18th century, and could only be topped up again through donations and purchases in the 19th and 20th centuries, it today remains one of the world’s most distinguished. And if you find yourself gaping in awe at all the gold and precious stones, take a look at St Simeon’s beige beehive cap; it’s sure to have a calming effect even through the glass.

A must for: Saints. Bishops. Relic collectors. Goldsmiths. Lovers of detail, and treasure-hunters.

Splendour: 80%
Sanctity: 60%
Legend: 40%


PSSSST! THE INSIDER TIP:
There’s no one specific thing to mention here, because the Cathedral Treasury is an insider tip in itself. This is partly due to the fact that the presentation of its exhibits inside the ‘Badischer Bau’ building, erected in 1480, is admittedly in need of an upgrade. For this reason, people often skip it when visiting the cathedral (it’s to the right as you go up the stairs to the Seamless Robe Chapel). Which is a shame, because the unique objects truly are worth seeing. Get excited!

All photos: © Amt für kirchliche Denkmalpflege Trier, Rita Heyen