Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town of Quedlinburg

Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town of Quedlinburg


Quedlinburg, Germany has been known since the early 9th century. In 919 A.D. Quedlinburg became the capital of the East Franconian German Empire in 919. This had happened during the Saxonian- Ottonian dynasty. Quedlinburg is located in the state of Saxony- Anhalt, which was part of the former GDR. The town of Quedlinburg is one of Germany’s largest monuments. Lining the streets is large number of high quality timber-framed buildings.

Beginning in the Middle Ages Quedlinburg had been a prosperous trading and market town. In 919 A.D. King Heinrich I (Henry the Fowler) became King of Germany. He was the first King to be crowned in Quedlinburg. Quedlinburg is centered around the Markt. The Markt is the town square. Quedlinburg also has two hills. On one hill is the castle, the abbey that King Heinrich’s wife founded, and the church. This complex is known as Burgberg. The church on Burgberg is the Collegiate Church of St. Servatius. This church holds the graves of the first royal couple, King Heinrich I and his wife, along with all the Abbesses. The church of St. Servatius is also one of the master pieces of Romanesque architecture. The other hill is known as the Muenzenberg and when standing on Muenzenberg you are able to see the rest of this beautiful town.

The Abbey of Quedlinburg played a big part of Quedlinburg’s history. For 800 years Quedlinburg was ruled by the Abbesses of the Quedlinburg convent. These women ruled until 1802, which is when Napolieon had invaded Quedlinburg and disbanded the Abbey. Then in 1754 another women made history. Dorothea Erxleben became the first women to win the right to attend a university. She then went on to receive the academic title of Medical Doctor. Dorothea was a native of Quedlinburg.