On the history of the altar of Mary in the west choir of Naumburg Cathedral - lecture by Abbey Director Dr. Holger Kunde

In 1519, Lucas Cranach the Elder created a three-winged altar retable for the altar of Mary in Naumburg's west choir. The central part of the retable, which depicts the Virgin Mary with Child, was destroyed in 1541 in the course of an anti-image campaign. In this way, the west choir lost its patroness.

The large-format side wings with their portraits of the two founding bishops and various saints have survived the centuries and were previously on display in the cathedral treasure vault of Naumburg Cathedral. 

After more than 500 years, the two original grand pianos were supplemented by a newly created central section and a predella by the Leipzig artist Michael Triegel. 

With this altar retable, the west choir of Naumburg Cathedral could temporarily regain its liturgical center.

In his lecture, Abbey Director Dr. Holger Kunde will explain the history and symbolism of the historic altar retable as well as the background of the "Triegel meets Cranach" project, which culminated in the consecration of the altar retable supplemented by Michael Triegel on July 3, 2022.