Naumburg

Documentation & Valorisation of a Cemetery of Historic Importance

Naumburg Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, located in Saxony-Anhalt, is one of the most noteworthy cultural monuments of the High Middle Ages in Europe. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018, the cathedral represents an exceptional synthesis of architecture, sculpture, and stained-glass artistry.

The Naumburg Cathedral Cemetery was established in 1542 as the Freiheitischer Gottesacker (Free Cemetery) for the deceased members of the Mariengemeinde within the cathedral precincts. Prior to this, burials took place within the immediate surroundings of the cathedral, particularly in the area now occupied by the cloister courtyard. However, during the mid-16th century, in response to recurrent epidemics and increasing urban populations, burial grounds were systematically relocated outside the medieval city walls, a practice seen in many European towns during this period. By the early 20th century, the establishment of Naumburg’s municipal cemetery in 1901 gradually diminished the Cathedral Cemetery’s significance. The last recorded burial occurred in the 1950s or 1960s, after which the cemetery was largely abandoned. During the mid-20th century, the cemetery suffered from repeated acts of vandalism, particularly between 1954 and 1972, further contributing to its state of decline. However, a renewed interest in its heritage value emerged in the post-reunification period. Contributing to its rediscovery was the Tag des Offenen Denkmals (Heritage Open Day) in 1993, which brought public attention back to this overlooked historic site. Since 2014, the Cathedral Cemetery, under the guardianship of the Vereinigte Domstifter, has once again been accessible to the public as a place of reflection and contemplation. Since 2016, it has resumed its role as a burial ground.

Project description

The heritage conservation project at the Naumburg Cathedral Cemetery will centre on the preservation and documentation of the site's historic burial monuments, complemented by an educational programme that situates the site within the broader context of its connection to the inscribed UNESCO World Heritage property.

The project will concentrate on the south-eastern part of the cemetery, where work will focus on the exposure, documentation, and assessment of historic tombstones, contributing to the broader conservation strategy for the site. The project seeks to improve the overall condition of the cemetery while ensuring that further weathering and damage to the historic grave markers are prevented. The participants will engage in a systematic process of uncovering and documenting burial monuments, recording their dimensions, material composition, and state of preservation. Special attention will be given to the identification of structural weaknesses and the development of recommendations for future restoration and conservation measures. Alongside this technical work, the project will also involve historical research on the individuals buried in the cemetery, enhancing knowledge of the site's broader cultural and social relevance.

REQUIREMENTS: CV, Motivation Letter and interview

ACCOMMODATION: basic facilities, shared rooms with beds, warm showers and toilets.

LOCATION: Naumburg, Saxony-Anhalt