The Stiftsberg in Quedlinburg comes to life

Joint press release from the partners: the World Heritage City of Quedlinburg and the Protestant Parish of Quedlinburg

A formal ceremony at St Servatius Collegiate Church today, Friday 27 March, will mark the start of the phased opening of Quedlinburg’s Stiftsberg – a joint project between the Protestant parish of Quedlinburg and the World Heritage City of Quedlinburg. Alongside representatives from the church and the town, Rainer Robra, Head of the State Chancellery and Minister for Culture of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, will deliver a welcoming address. The musical programme for the event will be provided by the Stiftskirche’s new cantor, Alexander Kuhlo, and soprano Sarah Mengs, featuring works by the Quedlinburg composer Albrecht Becker (1834–1899).

Following several years of extensive renovation work, with a total budget of over 30 million euros, Stiftsberg Quedlinburg will gradually be restored to its former glory in 2026. Over the past six years, not only have the existing buildings been extensively renovated by the World Heritage town of Quedlinburg, but the rebuilt garden house and the view of the redesigned Baroque façade of the castle buildings also make the new beginning on the Stiftsberg visible. Numerous funding projects from the EU, the federal government, the state of Saxony-Anhalt, the district and the German Foundation for Monument Protection have made this extensive project a success.

The focus of the first phase of the opening is the spiritual and historical heart of Stiftsberg: the Romanesque collegiate church of St Servatius, which houses the royal tombs of Henry I and St Matilda. A newly developed presentation and educational concept allows visitors to experience the interplay of faith, power and the culture of remembrance. The ornate reliquaries and medieval manuscripts of the cathedral treasury highlight the high-quality liturgical furnishings in particular and stand as impressive testimony to the over 800-year history of the stately convent. In the sensitive spaces of the collegiate church and when handling the high-quality treasures, it was a particular challenge to meet the requirements of heritage conservation, preservation, education and modern exhibition presentation in equal measure. In cooperation with the World Heritage city of Quedlinburg and in close collaboration with the exhibition agency Space4 GmbH, the specialist departments for heritage conservation and the restorers involved, the Protestant parish was able to realise a harmonious new presentation of the cathedral treasury. This was made possible by funding from the State of Saxony-Anhalt, the Evangelical Church in Central Germany, the Halberstadt church district, and through the use of the parish’s own funds.

“The opening of the Collegiate Church and the Cathedral Treasury marks the start of a new way to experience one of the most significant sites in German and European history,” say the project managers. “Step by step, the Stiftsberg is once again becoming a cohesive ensemble that visitors can experience.” Whilst the Collegiate Church and the Cathedral Treasury are already open to visitors, the Castle Museum will follow on 3 October 2026. Then, the completely redesigned Castle Museum will open its doors and, in the former living and state rooms of the Abbesses of Quedlinburg, offer an engaging, accessible and cross-thematic tour through the great history of the Abbey and the town of Quedlinburg, whilst also telling the story of these powerful women and their great task: the Memoria.

Following the grand opening the previous day, visitors will have the opportunity on Saturday 28 March, from 10 am to 6 pm, to explore the newly redesigned permanent exhibition through the collegiate church, the crypt and the cathedral treasury. To kick things off, a discounted ‘Starter Ticket’ will be available. In addition, short guided tours every hour invite visitors to explore the collegiate church. For families and quiz enthusiasts, the pupils of the ‘Cathedral Treasury Project’ – a collaboration between the Protestant parish and the Guts-Muths-Gymnasium in Quedlinburg – have organised a quiz with small prizes. To round off the bustling opening day, Eva-Maria Menard, pastor at Quedlinburg Collegiate Church, invites visitors to an evening service with musical accompaniment at 5.30 pm – a moment of tranquillity and anticipation of what Stiftsberg has in store for its guests in 2026.