The Steinberg Chapel in Hildesheim Cathedral
The Steinberg Chapel was built circa 1405 and named after its sponsor Lipold von Steinberg (ca. 1325 to 1415). Originally it was intended to honour the patrons of the Cathedral, which is demonstrated by the remains of murals that probably depict Cathedral patrons and saints and partially remaining inscriptions.
In the 15th century, Lipold von Steinberg made a significant contribution to the building of extensions and equipping the Cathedral. He was cathedral canon and steward (administrative official of the cathedral chapter). For example, a donation from Steinberg was the basis of the two-storey Nordparadies, which was expanded in 1412 to become the imposing entrance from the city side. The figure of the ibex and the 1412 on the headstones in the Gothic vault refer to him. Along with other relics and artworks, in1409 he also donated the Cathedral patrons‘ reliquary: a free replica of the Romanesque flèche of Hildesheim Cathedral. There is said to be a splinter of Christ’s cross inside the reliquary.
The Steinberg Chapel is one of the few areas of the Cathedral that was not destroyed in the bombing of 22 March 1945. It contains the original Gothic building materials.