description Paderborn Cathedral Overview
Paderborn Cathedral (Paderborner Dom) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, dedicated to Saint Peter, Saint Liborius, and Saint Kilian. The current structure, predominantly built in the Romanesque and Gothic styles, was completed in the 13th century following multiple reconstructions after fires. Its most famous feature is the 16th-century Three Hares Window, depicting three hares connected by shared ears, a symbolic image also found in various religious contexts across Europe and Asia.
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Which saints is Paderborn Cathedral dedicated to?
The official name is Hoher Dom St. Maria, St. Liborius und St. Kilian, so the cathedral is dedicated to Saint Mary, Saint Liborius, and Saint Kilian. Saint Liborius is especially important because his relics are kept in the cathedral crypt. [Paderborn Cathedral history](https://www.dom-paderborn.de/Geschichte/)
When was Paderborn Cathedral built?
The present cathedral was built mainly during the 13th century and was completed around 1280. Its Romanesque west tower contrasts with the Gothic hall church and later Gothic windows.
What is the Three Hares Window at Paderborn Cathedral?
It is a late Gothic carving from the early 16th century showing three hares arranged so that they appear to share three ears. The original was damaged during an air raid on March 22, 1945, and the cloister now displays a replacement while fragments are preserved in the diocesan museum.
What can visitors see in the cathedral crypt?
The crypt contains the relics of Saint Liborius, the patron saint of Paderborn and its archdiocese. The cathedral also includes features such as the Paradiesportal, a Gothic high altar, and a west tower about 93 metres high.
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