Well-preserved remains of 1,000-year-old palace found underneath cathedral in Germany

A medieval cathedral in Germany has long concealed a secret. For centuries, a large stone chamber in its basement has gone undetected — until now.

Archaeologists discovered the chamber during renovations of the Merseburg Cathedral, located about 120 miles southwest of Berlin, according to a May 24 news release from the State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology.

The cathedral, considered one of the most historically important in the country, was consecrated in 1004.

Measuring about 65 feet by 32 feet, the subterranean hall was unexpectedly found beneath a residential building on the cathedral grounds. Its foundation is more than 5 feet thick, and its walls are up to 11 feet high.

The well-preserved remains appear to have once supported another hall-like level above.

Built sometime between 1036 and 1050, the chamber functioned as a bishop’s palace, making it the oldest bishop’s residence on the grounds, officials said.

The palace remains are considered one of the oldest structures in the country with intact masonry.

Before the cathedral was built, the area had long been occupied by humans, officials said.

As evidence for this, ramparts dating back around 3,000 years have been unearthed around the cathedral. These walls served as the foundation for further fortifications constructed during the Middle Ages.

Google Translate was used to translate a news release from the State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology.

This story was originally published May 24, 2024 at 2:43 PM with the headline "Well-preserved remains of 1,000-year-old palace found underneath cathedral in Germany."