Holiday activities during the summer holidays at KinderDomusMerseburch

Step into the world of emperors and kings. Our cathedral has seen a lot in its 1000-year history. Children can discover numerous myths and legends, important historical events and true celebrities of the Middle Ages among the ancient walls. In the KinderDomusMerseburch, we go on a fascinating search for clues together during the holidays, encounter thieving ravens, centuries-old magic formulas and the secrets of the cathedral building.

Prior booking via our Visitor Centre is strictly required.

Our places in the KinderDomusMerseburch are primarily reserved for holiday children. Accompanying persons (max. 1 per child) receive discounted admission to Merseburg Cathedral including participation in a public guided tour of the cathedral. They pay only € 9.00 instead of € 12.50.

Dates

Wednesday, 8 July 2026 | 10 a.m.
"The king looks over his land"
We climb 1000 years of tower history. The traces of the past lead up the King's Staircase, past the medieval graffiti of the craftsmen and former pupils of the cathedral grammar school, to the viewing point on the south-west tower. From here, the view extends over the roofs of the city. In the attic, we discover what the hole in the sky is all about and view the impressive medieval bells. We learn how the bells were made and brought to the top and what stories they can tell. Both young and old explorers will go up high. Afterwards, the children can slip into the role of the king themselves and make their own crown.

Wednesday, 15.7.2026 | 10 a.m.
„Romanesque - the secret of the crypt“
Today, it is hard to imagine how people could build such a magnificent cathedral like in Merseburg 1,000 years ago. On this tour we want to examine the impressive construction and try to understand it with a little bit of mathematics. From the westwork and crypt to the embellishments at the centre of the church, we trace the difficulties of the building process and control whether everything was properly constructed according to measurements in the 11th century. We also reveal the secret why the grave of the anti-king Rudolf von Rheinfelden is located exactly at the crosspoint between nave and transept.

Wednesday, 22 July 2026 | 10 a.m.
"The king looks over his land"
We climb 1000 years of tower history. The traces of the past lead up the King's Staircase, past the medieval graffiti of the craftsmen and former pupils of the cathedral grammar school, to the viewing point on the south-west tower. From here, the view extends over the roofs of the city. In the attic, we discover what the hole in the sky is all about and view the impressive medieval bells. We learn how the bells were made and brought to the top and what stories they can tell. Both young and old explorers will go up high. Afterwards, the children can slip into the role of the king themselves and make their own crown.

Wednesday, 29.7.2026 | 10 a.m.
"Music please"
With its almost 5,700 pipes, the magnificent Ladegast organ in the Merseburg Cathedral really is the “Queen of all instruments”. Merseburg’s princes elaborately decorated the cathedral as court church already during the Baroque period. Of course, they could not leave out the organ. But how exactly does such a huge instrument work? How are the pipes supplied with enough air? And what happens when all stops are pulled out? Our children-organ allows us to find out about the functioning and technology of the instrument. Together with you, we want to take a look at the organ’s insides and understand the craftsmanship of past organ builders.

Wednesday, 5 August 2026 | 10 a.m.
"And then I'm a canon"
The canons of the cathedral chapter have been looking after the cathedral for centuries. Provost, cantor, treasurer and dean - what did they actually do? Where did they live? And who could actually become a canon? To answer these questions, the children slip into the role of the canons themselves and go on a mysterious search for clues through the south cloister, cathedral and chapter house. 

Wednesday, 12 August 2026 | 10 a.m.
"The coronation of the king"
King Henry II, who later became emperor, is considered the founder of today's Merseburg Cathedral. His coronation as king in 1002 was not without controversy, as others also laid claim to the throne. Henry II's memorable meeting with the Saxon dukes on 25 July 1002 in Merseburg, the so-called "Saxon by-election" of the king, was therefore a highly dramatic political event. Together we will get to the bottom of the story, slip into the role of the king ourselves and make our own crown.