St Mary's Cathedral, rebuilt after the fire of 1046, still retains its original crypt. Criterion (iii): St Mary's Cathedral and St Michael's Church of Hildesheim and their artistic treasures afford better and more immediate overall understanding than any other decoration in Romanesque churches in the Christian West. St Mary´s Cathedral and St Michael’s Church contain all the elements necessary to express the Outstanding Universal Value. All of the other interior elements in St Mary’s Cathedral and St Michael's Church that are sustaining the property’s Outstanding Universal Value are in an equally authentic condition. Protection and management requirementsThe laws and regulations of the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Lower Saxony guarantee the consistent protection of St Mary's Cathedral and St Michael's Church at Hildesheim.