Maribo Cathedral — Attraction in Lolland Municipality

Maribo Cathedral (Danish: Maribo Domkirke) is a Gothic cathedral church in Maribo on the island of Lolland in the southeast of Denmark. It was originally part of Maribo Abbey which was founded in the early 15th century. The chancel, the oldest section of the cathedral, probably dates from 1416. The plan of the church is unusual in that the chancel is at the west end of the building rather than the east as a result of the design instructions left by Saint Bridget. Maribo church was originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary and to Saint Bridget of Vadstena (1303–1373) founder of the Bridgettine order of nuns and monks. The church was built in the village of Skimminge (later renamed Maribo) in the early 15th century. It was Queen Margrethe I who provided land for a monastery to be built there, encouraged by her childhood tutor, Märta (1319-1371), who was St. Bridget's daughter. In 1418, in connection with recognition of the monastery, the pope decreed that the town should be renamed the community of Mary (Habitaculum Mariae) leading to the adoption of Danish Marienbo, later Maribo.A note from the journal of Vadstena Abbey, the mother church, states that monks left to found a monastery in Skimminge in 1416. After the Reformation in 1536, the monastery continued to exist but in 1556 was converted into a Protestant convent for young ladies. When the town's main church burnt down in 1596, the convent church became the parish church of Maribo. After the convent was finally demolished in 1621, ownership of the church was transferred to the town. From 1803, with the establishment of the Lolland-Falster diocese, the church was usually referred to as a cathedral but it was only in 1924 that it officially received the status of cathedral (domkirke). The Baroque altarpiece (1641) carved in the auricular style is the work of sculptor Henrik Werner (ca. 1636–ca. 1669) from northern Germany. The central panel, flanked by columns, depicts the Last Supper. Below Christ can be seen in the Garden of Gethsemane and, above, at the Resurrection. Figures of the four Evangelists are also presented. The baptismal font is of sandstone and dates from 1777. The Late-Renaissance pulpit (1606) has five arcaded panels with the Evangelists and the figure of Christ. The figure of Christ on the chancel arch crucifix is from the late 15th century although the cross itself is recent. The font is centred on the church's oldest font from the early 17th century. The figures of the Evangelists are presented in relief. It was renovated in 1777. The Augustinian Altar from the late 15th century depicting Saint Augustine in pontifical attire flanked by paintings of the Holy Trinity, Pope Gregory's mass, the Annunciation and Saint Anne. Of particular note is the Bridget Altar (Birgitta Alter) from the late 15th century with a painting of a woman in flowing clothes, thought either to be St. Bridgit or the Virgin Mary. Housed in a cupboard with two doors, it is said to be the oldest painting on canvas in...

Maribo Cathedral was established as the first Birgitte Convent outside Vadstena, Sweden in 1416. Monks and religious sisters together lived under an Abbess like the primitive Christian community under Mother Mary. Abbess became a representative of Mother Mary and they lived in separate quarters on both sides of the Church. Now only the foundation of the convent remains. The Cathedral is now the seat of the Lutheran bishop of Maribo. The beautiful altar and the preaching place are very well decorated. The cemetery is close by as well the Maribo lake adding a space of...

Maribo Cathedral is a delightful gem set in picturesque surroundings, reminiscent of an old street next to a serene lake. Its interior is equally stunning, making it a perfect backdrop for special occasions like weddings. We captured timeless photos here after our wedding, and it was...