St. Michael Church

Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim initiated the construction of St. Michael's Church after taking office in 993. He first had a chapel built, which he consecrated to the Holy Cross in 996. During his episcopate, Bernward expanded his foundation into a large Benedictine monastery. A cornerstone from 1010 marks the beginning of the actual abbey church. Bernward designated the west crypt as his final resting place and consecrated it on St. Michael's Day in 1015. The partial consecration of the church took place in 1022, shortly before Bernward's death. His successor Godehard completed the consecration of the entire church in 1033. Historical sources suggest that the famous bronze doors of Hildesheim Cathedral were originally intended for St. Michael's. The Bernwardian Christ Column, now in the cathedral, also once stood in the east of St. Michael's Church. Over the centuries, the church experienced several fires and reconstructions, including in 1034 and 1186. Important artworks such as the painted wooden ceiling in the nave were created around 1230. After the Reformation, St. Michael's Church became Evangelical-Lutheran in 1542, while the crypt has remained Catholic to this day. During World War II, the church was severely damaged in 1945 but was faithfully rebuilt after the war and reconsecrated in 1960.

St. Michael's Church is located in Hildesheim, in the district of the same name in Lower Saxony, Germany, at an elevation of approximately 96 meters above sea level.

Visitors can explore St. Michael's Church today. The interior was extensively restored from 2005 to 2010, with the floor lowered to its original level. The church and crypt are now directly connected again.

• Hildesheim Cathedral (sacred building), approx. 0.5 km away
• Steuerwald Castle (castle), approx. 2.2 km away
• Drispenstedt Manor (manor house and estate), approx. 3.0 km away
• Marienrode Monastery (sacred building), approx. 4.8 km away