Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt – Naumburg Cathedral and the founder figure of Uta von Ballenstedt

Naumburg Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul is one of the most important cathedrals of the High Middle Ages in Germany, world-famous for its unique set of founder statues in the west choir. These lifelike, individually crafted sculptures were created by the anonymous sculptor known as the Master of Naumburg and are considered a high point of medieval European sculpture. Especially famous is the figure of Uta of Ballenstedt, whose dignified bearing and expressive face have made her an icon, still widely regarded today as an ideal of medieval beauty. The cathedral also combines Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements, documenting the stylistic transition of its construction period.

Because of its outstanding artistic and architectural significance, Naumburg Cathedral was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018, together with the surrounding medieval territories. The founder statues are considered an early example of realistic portraiture, giving visible expression to human individuality centuries before the Renaissance. The cathedral remains an important testament to medieval art and church history in central Germany today. With the 2037 commemorative 2-euro coin, Saxony-Anhalt honors this outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Site.