Guided tours for tour groups
Guided tours for groups are available by appointment only.
The Merseburg Cathedral is an impressive witness and important place of German history. Whether be it Otto the Great or Emperor Henry II, Rudolf von Rheinfelden or Thilo von Trotha – all of them are closely connected to the cathedral’s history. Come with us on a journey through time. Tour groups can plan their visit to Merseburg Cathedral to meet their needs and interests. In a range of guided tours, we show you the 1,000-year cultural history of the cathedral, our most delicate treasures and other views. Our Visitor Centre will be happy to offer advice and put together a traditional or completely customised tour schedule for you.
All of our tour options are presented in a brochure: Group brochure Imperial Cathedral Merseburg
We look forward to your visit! Please note that tours are only offered in German. You can, however, bring an individual translator with you.
Tip: Would you like to receive up-to-date information about our group tours or special events? Then get in touch here for our Newsletter for travel groups to.
Guided tour of the cathedral: magical time travel through the cathedral
This journey through time will take you back to Otto the Great, Emperor Henry and Cunigunde, who laid the foundation for the cathedral, but also to bishop Thietmar who became world-famous for his Merseburg Chronicle, and of course to Thilo von Trotha and his fateful encounter with thievish ravens. On this tour we tell you about the cathedral’s building process and the adventurous fight of the first German anti-king Rudolf von Rheinfelden. We show you how the cathedral was used as court church by the Wettin dynasty during the Baroque period and, at last, the famous Ladegast organ which is an impressive witness of Romanticism. On this tour, stories from centuries of German history will come to life.
Content and focus of the tour can be modelled after your individual needs and interests.
Duration: 60 min
Costs: 70.00 € plus admission fee
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Guided tour of the cathedral and cathedral treasury: The magic of a thousand years of history
This special tour centres on the eventful history of Merseburg Cathedral and its treasures. We open our treasure chamber for you with sacred treasures and selected archival documents from the cathedral's archive, some of which date back to the Ottonian period. In addition to the magnificent coat of arms hall of the chapter house, which Bishop Thilo von Trotha had decorated in the 16th century, we will also show you our most mystical side with the Merseburg spells and the legendary mummified hand of Rudolf von Rheinfelden. Im the chapter house garden round off your visit in an idyllic ambience.
Duration: 90 min
Cost: €100.00 tour fee plus admission
Guided tour of the cathedral with a tour of the towers: Towers, stairs and bells Towers, stairs and bells
After all the impressive works of art in the cathedral it goes high. With its towers rising to the sky the imperial cathedral is Merseburg's landmark. About the The royal staircase takes you to the attic with its overwhelming ceiling and vault construction. The Gothic-Baroque belfries, the 11 bells from 10 centuries, are home to the church, which was cast around 1180. 2 tonne Clinsa is probably the most famous Cathedral bell. Let the sound of the medieval bell ringing enchant you and enjoy on the viewing platform of the south-west tower the fantastic View over the Domanlage and the roofs of the city as far as the eye can see into the region.
Duration: 90 min
Cost: €100.00 tour fee plus admission
Not suitable for persons with a fear of heights. Sensible footwear must be worn. The tower climb is not suitable for children under 6 years old.
Guided tour of the cathedral and the princely crypt: memoria and representation
The princely crypt is one of the most remarkable monuments of Baroque burial culture. On this tour you are given perspective into the cathedral in its role as court church for the ducal family of Saxe-Merseburg, a branch of the Wettin dynasty, during the Baroque period. The high altar, the organ case and the portal to the crypt still bear witness to this magnificence. Climax of the tour is the princely crypt. The burial ground consists of three medieval chapels in which lay 37 elaborately detailed coffins made of tin and wood. Immerse yourself into one of the most important historic periods of the Merseburg Cathedral.
Duration: 90 min
Cost: €100.00 tour fee plus admission
Exclusive guided tour of the Merseburg spells: Of mysticism and magic
We open our treasure trove for you and you will encounter rare gems that harbour many a secret. about the life and work of emperors and kings. However, Merseburg's largest and globally unique treasure is kept here: the Merseburg magic spells. The magical pagan incantations of the 10th century provide information about a A time when people have great hope in the power of of their words and the assistance of the gods. On We will show you the original discovery site with an impressive Interpretation of the spell in Old High German "Making language heard - pure goosebumps."
Duration: 60 min
Cost: €100.00 tour fee plus admission
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Costume tour with empress or duchess: Merseburg power women
With little stories and curiosities, two power women revive their time. In a splendid robe, Kunigunde, dedicated wife of Henry II and founder of Merseburg Cathedral, initiates you into the secrets of the cathedral's construction 1000 years ago. Even today, numerous representations testify to the great veneration of the saint, the plowshare probably her most famous attribute and sign of the most famous legend about her person.
Duchess Elisabeth reports from the time of the Baroque and the imposing reconstructions in the cathedral: high altar, princely crypt and the enormous organ prospect are testimonies from this era. Learn more about the life of the ducal family of Saxe-Merseburg as well as highly mysterious relationships.
Duration: 60 min
Cost: €100.00 tour fee plus admission
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Merseburg Cathedral by candlelight: Magic by night
We open Merseburg Cathedral exclusively for you away from the crowds. The medieval cathedral is illuminated by hundreds of candles during these evening hours. The warm candlelight bathes the impressive building in a very special light that revives times long past. Marvel at precious works of art, such as the bronze tombstone of Rudolf of Rheinfelden, the delicately carved choir stalls of the canons or the Ladegast organ, which reaches right up to the vault, in a very special light. Your path leads you down into the Romanesque hall crypt, across the cloister to the Merseburg magic spells and ends with a view over the romantic sea of lights of Merseburg at night.
Duration: 60 min
Cost: € 200.00 tour fee plus admission
Exclusively for a group and only available outside of normal opening hours
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Guided tour of the cathedral with organ prelude on the Ladegast organ: Sounding cathedral (treasure)
After all the impressive works of art from various epochs, crown your guided tour through the imperial cathedral with a special sound experience - an organ prelude on the romantic Ladegast organ. Built between 1853 and In 1855, Friedrich Ladegast remodelled the baroque "Queen of the instruments" with its 5687 pipes and a height of almost 13 metres one of the largest and most beautiful-sounding organs Central Germany. Based on a smaller "organ princess" you will gain interesting insights into an organ work and are allowed to pull out the stops themselves. This guided tour Make your visit to Merseburg a unique listening experience become.
Duration: 90 min
Cost: € 250.00 plus admission
Tip! Every September the Merseburger Orgeltage (Merseburg Organ Days) offer you exceptional concert experiences. Additionally, the Orgelklang 12 (Organ Sound 12) concerts are held every second Sunday at 12 noon from May to October. To enjoy 40 minutes of organ music, you only need a valid ticket for the cathedral.
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The highlights of the imperial cathedral: 1000 years of history in just 60 minutes
Unfortunately you only have limited time, but would still like to as many impressions as possible of the impressive Preserve the history of the imperial cathedral? In just 60 minutes we present our highlights to you: Cathedral, cathedral treasure and Prince's crypt for those in a hurry. From the beginnings of the former Imperial Palace on its use as a baroque court church. From the mystical early Romanesque crypt via the baroque Burial culture in the impressive princely crypt to the Merseburg Cathedral Treasure with its world-famous Merseburg magic spells and sacred treasures of the cathedral chapter - here you can find out what the imperial cathedral to become one of the most remarkable cathedral buildings.
Duration: 60 min
Cost: € 100.00 plus admission
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Exclusive guided tour for Christmas and New Year: And an angel appeared to Mary
A cozy candlelight illuminates the wintry cool Merseburg Cathedral and takes you on a journey into the world of the Bible and its protagonists. The Christmas story is told in many different ways and is unthinkable without the mother Mary. During this guided tour, she will be the center of attention. Travel with Mary in and around Merseburg Cathedral. You will be amazed at how often her image is found on altars, paintings and other works of art. Her traces already begin on a unique testimony of medieval stained glass, a glass medallion in the triple window group of the vestibule and lead through the nave past the pulpit in the bishop's chapel to the cathedral treasury. Perhaps you will also notice the numerous angels accompanying your journey? I wonder what they want to announce?
Duration: 60 min
Cost: € 200.00 plus admission
Exclusively for a group and only available outside of normal opening hours
Tip!
Round off your Advent tour with a tasty mulled punch (plus € 2.50 per person) in the special ambience of the cloister or extend the offer with a 15-minute Christmas organ recital (€ 150.00 per group).
