SUSTAINABILITY
Responsible development at Naumburg Cathedral
Naumburg Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place of cultural heritage and, at the same time, a place for interaction, education and participation. The United Cathedral Foundations of Merseburg and Naumburg and the Collegiate Foundation of Zeitz wish to fulfil this role responsibly, taking into account social and economic aspects as well as the preservation of nature, the cultural landscape and historic monuments.
As a partner business of the Saale-Unstrut Sustainable Destination initiative, we are committed to developing our work in a responsible manner, step by step.
"“Our domes are sites of cultural heritage, but at the same time they are places for people to meet, learn and get involved. Being recognised as a partner organisation of the Saale-Unstrut Sustainable Destination demonstrates that cultural and World Heritage sites, too, can – and, in my view, must – make an important contribution to responsible tourism development.”
Bastian Borck, Treasurer of the Chapter and Sustainability Officer for the United Cathedral Foundations
Our award
Naumburg Cathedral and Merseburg Cathedral have been recognised as partner organisations of the Saale-Unstrut Sustainable Destination. They are therefore part of the Saale-Unstrut travel region’s partner network, which is run by TourCert was awarded the title of „Sustainable Destination“.
The award relates to the participation of the Vereinigte Domstifter in the partner network. It does not constitute certification of individual services or guided tours.
What we’re already doing
Making culture accessible to different audiences
Activities for children and young people: The KinderDomBauhütte at Naumburg Cathedral teaches history, architecture and the cathedral’s unique features in a way that is age-appropriate and hands-on. It is a project partner of „Handgemacht Saale.Unstrut“.
Easy-to-read language: We provide information on our website and offer guided tours in easy-to-read language.
Open Days: Twice a year, we invite the residents of Naumburg and Merseburg to our Open Days.
Accessibility: Naumburg Cathedral has been assessed and certified for accessibility.
A World Heritage Site as a catalyst for the region
With around 143,000 visitors a year, Naumburg and Merseburg Cathedrals are major attractions in the Saale-Unstrut region. We work in partnership with organisations in the tourism sector, including the towns of Naumburg and Merseburg, Saale-Unstrut Tourismus GmbH and the Saxony-Anhalt Investment and Marketing Agency.
The World Heritage Centre is the main point of contact for promoting the concept of World Heritage and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Naumburg Cathedral. It also places greater emphasis on the cultural landscape along the Saale and Unstrut rivers. Together with the Burgenlandkreis district, the town of Naumburg and Saale-Unstrut Tourism, we aim to draw visitors’ attention even more effectively to other attractions and places in the region in future.
Nature and Heritage Conservation in the Cathedral Gardens
Adjacent to the west choir is the Naumburg Cathedral Garden, which covers just under one hectare and features ponds, historic walls and bastions. It has been open to visitors on a regular basis for around ten years. During events such as the Naumburg Master’s Market, the Rendezvous in the Cathedral Garden, the Picnic Day or the Open Days, the garden gates are open even without a visit to the cathedral.
The „Garden of the Naumburg Master“ is home to native plants from the Saale-Unstrut region. As far back as the Middle Ages, these plants served as models for the botanically identifiable foliage adorning the capitals, friezes and keystones of the cathedral.
We explore this theme in our educational and outreach programmes, for example in the guided tour „From Wine Capital to Wine Enjoyment“, the creative workshop „Botany in Stone“, and the projects „Petrified Garden“ and „Scents of the Middle Ages“ for children’s and youth groups. The Cathedral Garden is also part of the „Garden Dreams – Historic Parks and Gardens in Saxony-Anhalt“ initiative.
What we set out to do
For us, this award is not so much a point of arrival as an invitation to integrate the various aspects of our work even more closely: the preservation and promotion of our cultural heritage, the involvement of different visitor groups, collaboration within the region, and the interconnection of culture and nature.
The Saale-Unstrut Sustainable Destination
The Dome’s award is linked to the development of the destination as a whole. The region’s certification process involved surveys, questionnaires and workshops, as well as a sustainability report and a continuous improvement programme. This programme comprises 24 targets across eight areas of action and is reviewed and updated annually.
Further information:
