Crypt at Speyer Cathedral

The Speyer Cathedral turned out to be pretty normal as far as cathedrals are concerned. Apart from the size, there was not much to distinguish it from other churches. I was just making my way out when I noticed a sign which points to the crypts. For some reason, going in to see the crypts has a small entrance fee. I can’t blame them from trying to make a little money. The crypt is probably one of the more important places here in the cathedral. If we recall, the name of the cathedral is the Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St Stephen, with the emphasis on imperial. As it was the tradition back then, the kings and emperors of not just Germany but also Europe, would get buried at important cathedrals as a symbol of their rank.

I know next to nothing about Germany’s history so I was sure that I would not recognize any names here. There are a number of kings and emperors here from several dynasties who were buried here. I don’t know how it started but it shouldn’t be too far fetched that a king would first get buried there and the subsequent ones would want to be buried in the same place if only to show that they are just as important as the preceding person. This won’t be the first time that I visit a crypt at a cathedral but I am still curious as to how different this one would be.

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