Speyer Cathedral
Speyer, Germany
A vast Romanesque cathedral of red sandstone beside the Rhine, with a plain, powerful nave and a crypt that holds imperial tombs. Visit the crypt, then walk the pedestrian street from the cathedral to the old town gate.
Speyer Cathedral was begun around 1025 by King Conrad II, who wanted to build the largest church in Christendom. The first building (Speyer I) was consecrated in 1061; under Henry IV a remodelling followed, completed in 1106. The cathedral is 134 metres long, its nave 33 metres high, and is built of red and yellow sandstone from the Haardt hills and the Odenwald. It is regarded as the first large vaulted building north of the Alps since antiquity and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
The crypt holds four Holy Roman emperors, namely Conrad II and Henry III, IV and V, as well as kings such as Rudolf of Habsburg. Outside, the dwarf gallery running around the building stands out. Allow about an hour for the cathedral and crypt, and another one to two hours for a walk through the old town. Ask the city in advance about motorhome pitches.
- Nearest town
- Speyer, Germany
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 49.3171, 8.4439
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Caravanpark am Technik Museum SpeyerMotorhome stopover1 km from Speyer Cathedral · 96 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Freizeit Camping ErlichseeCampsite7 km from Speyer CathedralTentsElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsNo dogs
- DKV-CampingplatzCampsite7 km from Speyer CathedralTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Camping KollerseeCampsite7 km from Speyer CathedralTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Campingplatz FreyerseeCampsite8 km from Speyer Cathedral · 135 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsNo dogsWi-Fi
- Hockenheimring Campingplatz C3Campsite9 km from Speyer CathedralTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsNo dogs
All campsites in Germany · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Speyer Cathedral?
Speyer Cathedral is in Speyer, Germany, at GPS 49.3171, 8.4439. It is about 19 km from Heidelberg.
Can you camp near Speyer Cathedral?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Caravanpark am Technik Museum Speyer, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 87 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Speyer Cathedral?
Places worth a stop nearby: Hambach Castle (22 km), Villa Ludwigshöhe (25 km), Dürkheim Giant Cask (25 km) and Lorsch Abbey (38 km).
When is the best time to visit Speyer Cathedral?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)