Trier Cathedral Treasury - © Amt für kirchliche Denkmalpflege Trier, Rita Heyen
Trier for All

Cathedral Treasury (Domschatzkammer)

When the monk Simeon became a hermit inside the Porta Nigra in 1028 in order to pursue his Bible readings undisturbed, he could never have dreamt that his beehive-shaped cap, of all things, would outlive him for centuries. Even back in the Middle Ages, people believed Simeon’s head cover could help combat headaches and eye complaints. After all, the hermit had been canonised by the Pope after his death – meaning his few possessions now had an element of blessed divinity. Whether or not the healing effects of the cap have carried through to the 21st century is unfortunately difficult to assess: It’s kept safe behind glass at Trier’s Cathedral Treasury, and sadly cannot be put on. But it’s still impressive, for it can actually be dated back to the 11th century, making it one of the few relics whose verifiable origins match the legends surrounding them.
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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

Opening hours

Today, 11.10.2024: Open
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Regulär:
Mondays - Saurdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sundays / Public Holidays: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission prices

Adults: € 3.00
Reduced *: € 1.00
Families **: € 7.00

Groups adults (10 - 20 people): € 30.00
Groups Children (10 - 20 persons, 6 years and older): € 10.00

Combination ticket for Cathedral Treasury and Museum am Dom
Adults: € 5.50
Reduced *: € 3.20
Families I **: € 8.00
Families II ***: € 10,00



* (Children (6 years and older), severely handicapped persons and accompanying persons, as far as registered in the ID card, pupils / students, Zivis / FSJler / conscripts on presentation of the ID card.)
** 1 adult and up to 4 children
*** 2 adults and up to 4 children

Contact

Hohe Domkirche – Domschatz
Mustorstraße 2
54290 Trier

Tel. +49 (0)651 7105-378
www.dominformation.de