Our tour through Saxony-Anhalt yielded many surprises. The medieval cathedral city of Naumburg was the crown jewel. For centuries, the city has enchanted visitors with a mix of history, culture and architecture. Naumburg is particularly known for its magnificent cathedral, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. But there is so much more to discover. From medieval streets to the historic tram, Naumburg is a journey through time. And with surprises around every corner.
The history of Naumburg begins in the 11th century. It was the counts of Meissen who founded the city. Strategically located along trade routes between Leipzig, Erfurt and Halle, Naumburg grew into an important trading city. It later even became the seat of the bishopric of Naumburg-Zeitz, which contributed to the rapid growth and prosperity of the city. The city walls built in the 12th century served both as protection against enemies and as a symbol of Naumburg’s flourishing trade.
Over the centuries, Naumburg has experienced many ups and downs. In the 17th century, the city suffered heavily during the Thirty Years’ War, like many cities in Central Europe. Despite these devastations, Naumburg remained an important religious and economic centre. In the 19th century, industrialisation brought new prosperity, but also great changes. After World War II, Naumburg became part of East Germany and experienced a period of recovery and reconstruction, during which much of its historical heritage was preserved.
The Via Regia (Royal Road) was a trade route that connected cities from Spain to Ukraine. The eastern part of this route ran through Naumburg. It provided a connection with other important hubs, such as Leipzig in the east and Frankfurt am Main in the west. Valuable goods were transported along the Via Regia. Naumburg’s location on this route ensured economic prosperity and made it an important trading city. In addition to merchants, pilgrims also used the Via Regia. The road led to religious centres such as Santiago de Compostela in Spain and other pilgrimage sites in Central and Western Europe.
Naumburg was located at the intersection of two important trade routes: the Via Regia (East-West) and the Regensburger Straße (North-South). This location made the city a strategically important hub for trade and traffic. Thus, a lively market emerged. It brought Naumburg not only prosperity but also an important political and religious position of power.
We begin our visit nostalgically with a tram ride. This historic tram has been running from the edge of the city to the centre since 1892. From the outskirts of the city, the tram runs a route of about 2.5 kilometres past important sights including the cathedral and the Market Square.
After a period of inactivity, the tram was restored and put back into service in the 1990s. The historic tram still retains its original charm, with classic carriages that take us back to bygone times.
The tram driver is a jack of all trades. He sells and checks tickets, provides information about the route and skilfully steers the tram through traffic. He also helps the mostly elderly passengers to get on and off.
We stand face to face with a masterpiece of medieval architecture: Naumburg Cathedral. The imposing façade invites us to enter. With every step we take, we travel back in time. The construction of this cathedral spanned a long period, with Romanesque and Gothic elements seamlessly merging. Accompanied by a guide, we wander around the sanctuary for hours. The following sights particularly stand out.
In the western choir, we encounter the famous statues of Uta and Ekkehard. These lifelike figures, carved by the unknown ‘Master of Naumburg’, seem to be looking at us. Their faces radiate a deep spirituality. These are not just statues; they are portraits of a couple who played an important role in the construction of the cathedral. In addition to these two lifelike statues, we admire several other sculptures and the beautiful stained glass windows.
The eastern choir is an oasis of tranquillity. The beautiful stained glass windows create a lovely play of colours in this serene space. Here we experience the heavenly music once made by the choristers. The acoustics are still phenomenal.
The Mary Altar is the heart of the cathedral. This is where Mary was venerated. The altarpiece is a work of art in itself, with countless fine details. We can look at the images for a long time and imagine how people used to gather here to pray.
We descend to the crypt, a mysterious space beneath the cathedral. Here lie the foundations of the oldest parts of the church. The walls are decorated with simple frescoes. It is a place where we can find peace and feel the history of the cathedral.
Naumburg Cathedral houses numerous treasures: precious relics, ancient manuscripts and beautiful liturgical objects. In the museum at the cathedral, we can admire these treasures up close. The immense books from the Middle Ages are particularly special. It was truly not only monks’ work to write the books. But also to lift them: a book sometimes weighs more than 40 kilos.
The west and east rood screens (gallery balconies) are decorated with beautiful statues that tell stories from the Bible. The artists who made these statues were true masters. The expressive faces and lively poses make these statues an unforgettable experience.
In addition to these highlights, there are many more sights in Naumburg Cathedral. Every detail manages to impress us, such as the special stair railings in the eastern choir, the various chapels, the cloister and the cathedral garden. It is more than justified that this sanctuary is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
We leave the cathedral with a sense of awe and wonder. Naumburg Cathedral is a timeless beauty, a place where history, art and faith come together. We are fortunate to have been able to see this sanctuary with a guide. If you want to visit the cathedral yourself, there is an excellent audio tour available in Dutch. It takes two hours if you want to see all the highlights. In addition, there are public guided tours by a guide in the cathedral at various times.
Still impressed by our visit to the cathedral, we continue our journey of discovery through the city. For Naumburg has much more to offer than just the cathedral. We start at Jakobsstraße, a former shopping street that was once part of the Via Regia. In this street, merchants and traders from all over Europe crossed paths. If we close our eyes and imagine ourselves back in time, we hear the cart wheels rattling over the cobbled streets.
In the Market Square, we are back in the 16th century. Beautiful houses surround the square. Merchants once lived here. Colourful façades and elegant details of the buildings are testimonies to their wealth at that time. Markets are still held weekly on the square. Visitors buy local products and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
On a corner of the market square, slightly out of sight, is the Stadtmuseum Hohe Lilie. This museum offers an extensive view of the history and culture of Naumburg. From medieval finds to the rich wine tradition of the region, there is something for everyone to experience in the museum.
Not far from the square lies the Maria Gate, one of the last remaining city gates. This gate, with its double arches and surrounding walls, once marked the entrance to the city. It was an important passage route for merchants. The tower and surrounding houses, with their brightly coloured windows and plastered façades, form a picturesque backdrop.
The most beautiful street in Naumburg, in our opinion, is the Steinweg. It is the oldest paved street in the city. The Steinweg leads to the cathedral. The closer we get to the church, the more beautiful the views of the church become. Along the street are historic craftsmen’s houses. We also find modern shops with beautiful articles.
We then reach Judengasse, a narrow street with a dark history. The Jewish community played an important role in the economic life of the city, especially in trade. Today, Judengasse symbolises a vanished, but not forgotten part of Naumburg’s history.
As early as the 15th century, Jews had a hard time in Naumburg. According to the city’s inhabitants, the Jewish residents were the cause of the plague epidemic that hit Naumburg hard at that time. As punishment, all Jews were banished from Naumburg. It took centuries before the Jews were allowed to return. The plaque commemorates this tragic event. Unfortunately, an even crueller fate befell them around World War II. In memory of the Jews who perished, we pause literally and figuratively at a memorial.
The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche spent most of his youth in Naumburg. Here he attended primary school and the cathedral secondary school. Even after he got a job at the nearby boarding school Schulpforte in 1858, the parental home in Naumburg remained the centre of his life. This house, where he also spent the last years of his life, is now a museum. Here we learn more about his life, work and legacy. The adjacent Nietzsche Documentation Centre offers extra depth for lovers of his philosophy. We encounter Nietzsche once again in the centre. We discover a statue of him in the square.
Naumburg is a destination that combines history and culture in a unique way. This city manages to surprise us in every place. Whether it’s because of the medieval charm of the city centre, the impressive cathedral or the many other historical sights. Our journey through Naumburg has given us a unique glimpse into the past. That’s what makes travelling so much fun: visiting places you’ve never heard of before. And then discovering that you’ve found a hidden gem. Naumburg is certainly such a gem of a travel destination.
Naumburg is located in Saxony-Anhalt, in eastern Germany, on the river Saale. It is close to cities such as Halle, Leipzig, Jena and Weimar.
Naumburg is easily accessible by train and car. Regional trains run from Halle, Leipzig and Weimar.
These are the highlights of Naumburg that you should not miss:
Naumburg Cathedral is a cathedral with numerous sights. It's not for nothing that this sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage site. These are the highlights of the cathedral:
Museum lovers will enjoy these museums:
You should not miss these establishments in Naumburg:
These are three accommodations with excellent guest reviews:
We stayed at the niu Ridge Halle Central in Halle ourselves. A large and modern hotel with all facilities. By car or train (the hotel is close to the station), you can easily reach Naumburg.
We visited Naumburg at the invitation of the German Tourist Board and the Saxony-Anhalt region. We have written the blog independently and objectively based on our own impressions.