King of Germany Henry II (Heinrich II) was appointed Holy Roman Emperor and presented the city of Bamberg to his new wife Kunigunde in 1007 when he founded a bishopric there.His aim was to establish a “Rome of the North” and thus set about building an appropriate cathedral as the centerpiece of the Cathedral Square (Domplatz) that included his palace as well.The new cathedral was consecrated on his fortieth birthday in 1012 after eight years of construction.

-please see at original size-