Hildesheim

Hildesheim, a town in the Prussian province of Hanover, stands on a feeder of the Weser, 24 miles by rail SSE. of Hanover. It is to a large extent an antique town, with narrow streets, high-gabled houses (ornamented with bay-win- dows and carved woodwork), and many towers. The churches are the most notable buildings, and first amongst them stands the cathedral, dating from the 11th century. It is especially interesting for its antiquarian and artistic treasures, as the bronze gates (1015) with bas-reliefs, the church utensils, the so-called Irmin (q.v.) pillar, a rose-tree said to be a thousand years old, the brazen Christ pillar (1022), the carillon, &c. The St Godehard Chrch (1133-72) and St Michael's are splendid examples of Romanesque architecture. The so-called Templar House, the town-house (circa 1440), and certain antique private houses are interesting buildings. Pop. (1880) 25,887; (1890) 33,481. A bishop's see since 822, Hildesheim first came to Prussia in 1803, and finally in 1866. In 1868 a very valuable find of Roman silver ware was made near Hildesheim. See works by Lüntzel (1858), Wachsmuth (1863), Lachner (1882), and Cuno (1886).