St. Michael's church at the Benedictine Abbey and Cathedral of
Fulda (Germany) was begun by Boniface about 744 AD. He lies buried at
this altar (right below). Daily Mass has been offered here since 822 AD.
This was the first church in which a person had the right of Sanctuary. A
trap door leads below, where food and arms were stored, and people
gathered in time of danger. The Romanesque windows are narrow outside and
wider inside so arrows could more easily leave than enter. It has not
changed since the eleventh century. Below are a drawing showing the abbey
about 779, and a model showing the collocated church of St. Michael begun
in 819-822.
A photo of the modern cathedral dedicated in 1712 is below. It is
adjacent to St. Michael's.
