The bishop's residence has been located in
Brixen since the sixth century. Between 960 and 990 AD, Brixen supplanted
nearby Säben as the episcopal see, and has retained its status since that time. Brixen Cathedral is the
highest-ranking church in South Tyrol, and historically one of the most interesting. Today, the cathedral thus reflects almost all architectural styles from the Early Romanesque to historicism.
The original Ottonian building took on a new Romanesque design in the twelfth century, gaining a three-aisled nave with crypt and three apses in addition to two front towers. There were more additions in the Gothic and Baroque periods. The North Tower thus took on its early Baroque style between 1610 and 1613. Large-scale modifications were made between 1745 and 1754: Theodor Benedetti’s high altar and the statues and frescoes by Paul Troger, Joseph Schöpf, Dominikus Molling and Michelangelo Unterperger originated from this period. Jacob Pirchstaller’s classical vestibule dates to 1783.
The cathedral is
open daily from 6 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In November, January, February and March the cathedral remains closed between noon and 3:00 p.m. Free guided tours of the cathedral and cloister take place on weekdays at 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. between Easter and All Saints Day