The Kunstsammlungen des Bistums Regensburg

The Regensburg Cathedral Treasury is one of the most famous medieval treasuries in Europe. It is located right next to the Gothic St. Peter’s Cathedral in the historic rooms of the former episcopal residence with Renaissance frescoes.

The origins of the cathedral treasury are still in the dark. Given Regensburg’s importance, precious utensils and artistically designed textiles used in worship were probably part of the collection as early as the early Middle Ages. The entire cathedral treasury was never completely destroyed despite all the historical changes, so an impressive contemporary testimony from almost 1,000 years of church history has been preserved to this day.

Among them are extraordinary pieces such as a chasuble from Salian times, which was venerated as the chasuble of St. Wolfgang, or the so-called "Wolfgangsschale" from the early 12th century. The precious regalia, crucifixes, monstrances, chalices and crosiers are evidence of the liturgical splendour of many centuries. Impressive exhibits in the cathedral treasury show that Regensburg was a centre of goldsmithing until the 18th century, why the most prestigious guild of the Middle Ages was held in such high esteem and why faith and craftsmanship were inextricably linked.

Other highlights in the collection are the Wolfgang chalice (c. 1250/60), the Ottokar Cross (1261), a donation by Ottokar II Přemysl, King of Bohemia from 1253 to 1278, for the Agnes Monastery in Prague, and the silver oil bottles of Bishop Heinrich von Rotteneck (†1296) from the end of the 13th century. A special story is told by the rationale, a vestment worn over the shoulders decorated with precious embroidery, which was lent to Bishop Nicholas of Ybbs (1313-1340) by Ludwig the Bavarian (1328-1347), a Wittelsbach on the imperial throne who had been banned from the church by the Pope. Outstanding exhibits include the famous enamel box, probably made around 1400 in one of the workshops of the French princely courts, and the butterfly reliquary (c. 1310/20), which is unique in the world.

Even today, the sacred utensils and vestments on display are in their liturgical tradition.

Individual pieces are used on special occasions in the cathedral services.

• The objects of the "Kunstsammlungen des Bistums Regensburg" available on bavarikon

The exhibitions under the participation of the "Kunstsammlungen des Bistums Regensburg" on bavarikon

• Regensburg and its Jewish Community in the Middle Ages