Altenberg (Bergisches Land)
Encyclopedia
Altenberg is an Ortsteil (area) in the municipality of Odenthal
in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis
of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
and was formerly the seat of the Counts of Berg
. Over the course of time they created around their Residence a small dominion, which later came to be called the Bergisches Land
.
there but just a short while afterward relocated a few hundred meters further up the valley of the Dhünn. The Counts of Berg resettled at that time to Schloss Burg
on the Wupper
.
Altenberg Cathedral, begun in 1259. Because it has never been the seat of a bishop
, it is really not a cathedral
at all but is called one colloquially, on the basis of its imposing appearance, and is also so indicated on maps. Today the Altenberg Cathedral is a Simultankirche, which means it is used for services by both Protestants
and Catholics
. Concerts also regularly take place there. The cathedral is owned by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, which also financed the recent extensive restoration work, completed on 30 June 2005. On 25 August 2006 an ecumenical worship service and state ceremony took place, to mark the end of the twelve-year-long restoration, in the presence of Joachim Meisner and the Minister-President
of North Rhine–Westphalia, Jürgen Rüttgers
.
Odenthal
Odenthal is a municipality in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Geography:Odenthal is situated approx. 5 km north of Bergisch Gladbach and 15 km north-east of Cologne.-Neighbouring places:...
in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis
Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis
The Rheinisch-Bergische Kreis is a Kreis in the Cologne Bonn Region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring are the districts Oberbergischer Kreis and Rhein-Sieg, and the district-free citiesCologne, Leverkusen, Solingen and Remscheid....
of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state of Germany, with four of the country's ten largest cities. The state was formed in 1946 as a merger of the northern Rhineland and Westphalia, both formerly part of Prussia. Its capital is Düsseldorf. The state is currently run by a coalition of the...
and was formerly the seat of the Counts of Berg
Berg (state)
Berg was a state – originally a county, later a duchy – in the Rhineland of Germany. Its capital was Düsseldorf. It existed from the early 12th to the 19th centuries.-Ascent:...
. Over the course of time they created around their Residence a small dominion, which later came to be called the Bergisches Land
Bergisches Land
The Bergisches Land is a low mountain range region within the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, east of Rhine river, south of the Ruhr. The landscape is shaped by woods, meadows, rivers and creeks and contains over 20 artificial lakes...
.
History
At the beginning of the twelfth century the Counts donated the site of their old ancestral castle, the Burg Berge, to some Cistercian monks from Burgundy, who erected a monasteryMonastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
there but just a short while afterward relocated a few hundred meters further up the valley of the Dhünn. The Counts of Berg resettled at that time to Schloss Burg
Schloss Burg
Burg Castle , located in Burg an der Wupper , is the largest reconstructed castle in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and a popular tourist attraction...
on the Wupper
Wupper
The Wupper is a right tributary to the Rhine river in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Rising near Marienheide in western Sauerland it runs through the mountainous area of the Bergisches Land Berg County and enters the Rhine at Leverkussen, south of Düsseldorf...
.
Altenberg Cathedral
The most imposing building in Altenberg today is the high-GothicGothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
Altenberg Cathedral, begun in 1259. Because it has never been the seat of a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
, it is really not a cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
at all but is called one colloquially, on the basis of its imposing appearance, and is also so indicated on maps. Today the Altenberg Cathedral is a Simultankirche, which means it is used for services by both Protestants
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
and Catholics
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. Concerts also regularly take place there. The cathedral is owned by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, which also financed the recent extensive restoration work, completed on 30 June 2005. On 25 August 2006 an ecumenical worship service and state ceremony took place, to mark the end of the twelve-year-long restoration, in the presence of Joachim Meisner and the Minister-President
Minister-President
A minister-president is the head of government in a number of European countries or subnational governments, in which a parliamentary or semi-presidential system of government prevails, who presides over the council of ministers...
of North Rhine–Westphalia, Jürgen Rüttgers
Jürgen Rüttgers
Jürgen Rüttgers is a German politician and former Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, widely known for his views on immigration and the much-discussed phrase "Kinder statt Inder" which was a media interpretation of "Statt Inder an die Computer müssen unsere Kinder an die Computer"...
.