Hildesheim - Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche

Louis the Pious founded the bishopric of Hildesheim in 815. The settlement developed into a town and was granted market rights by King Otto III in 983. Craftsmen and merchants were attracted and the city developed into an important community. By 1167, Hildesheim was an almost completely walled market settlement.

At the beginning of the 13th century, Hildesheim had about 5,000 inhabitants, and when Hildesheim received its city charter in 1249, it was one of the largest cities in northern Germany. The clergy ruled Hildesheim for four centuries before a town hall was built and the citizens gained influence and independence. In 1367, Hildesheim became a member of the Hanseatic League. But what is now called Hildesheim was various small "suburbs". After centuries of (sometimes armed) disputes, it was not until the end of the 16th century that a union was created and subsequently at least the inner wall was taken down Old and New Town.
During the Thirty Years' War, Hildesheim was besieged and occupied several times. In 1813, after the Napoleonic Wars, the town became part of the Kingdom of Hanover, which was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia as a province after the Austro-Prussian War in 1866.

The air raids on Hildesheim in 1944/45 destroyed large parts of the city. Of the 1500 half-timbered houses, only 200 remained. 90 percent of the historic old town was destroyed in the firestorm.

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Tradition knows that Bishop Hezilo (1054-1079) turned "a house of war into a house of peace" with the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche. The core of the building was probably a gate that protected the still unreinforced cathedral area to the east.

At the sides, wall beginnings have been excavated, which probably belonged to a fortification wall.

The side aisles themselves date from later times. The southern one, together with the side chapels, belongs to a Gothic rebuilding phase. The northern baroque nave was built after 1700, when this side of the building became dilapidated due to ground subsidence.

The west facade in the Italian style of 1712 with a front flight of steps. During the bombing of Hildesheim in March 1945, the Kreuzkirche was also severely damaged. However, the art treasures had been moved out and remained intact. Reconstruction began in 1948 and by 1958 the pre-war state had been largely restored.

The "Pensive Christ" was created around 1520.

The "Pensive Christ" is a subject in iconography depicting a contemplating Jesus, sitting with his head supported by his hand with the Crown of Thorns and marks of his flagellation.
Most of the statues of the "Pensive Christ" were made around 1500 and in the first quarter of the 16th century.