Regensburg Cathedral
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2018) |
Saint Peter's Cathedral | |
---|---|
Regensburger Dom | |
Roman Catholic | |
Website | Website |
History | |
Status | Active |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Cathedral |
Completed | 1520 |
Specifications | |
Length | 85.40 m (280 ft 2 in) |
Width | 34.80 m (114 ft 2 in) |
Height | 31.85 m (104 ft 6 in) |
Number of spires | 2 |
Spire height | 105 m (344 ft 6 in) |
Administration | |
Diocese | Diocese of Regensburg |
Clergy | |
Bishop(s) | Rudolf Voderholzer |
Regensburg Cathedral (
History
The original church called
The architect that took over supervision over the new cathedral in 1280 was trained in France, and because of this there was an incorporation of French Gothic architectural themes. This included a central
By 1320, the three choirs of this cathedral were ready for use, and between 1385 and 1415 the main entrance to the West was completed. Most of edifice was finished around the year 1520, and this was also the opening year for the cathedral.
One of the cathedral's builders, Mathes Roriczer, documented a way to determine architectural proportions from a ground plan. This technique, called ad quadratum or "of quadrature," depicts elevation on a ground plan using a series of polygons. From this technique he was able to develop the proportions of the cathedral's pinnacles.[3]
In the 17th century, the
The state-run Dombauhütte (cathedral building workshop) was founded in 1923, for the oversight, maintenance, and restoration of Regensburg Cathedral. One of the organization's restoration projects occurred during the 2000s. Another project the organization was involved in occurred in the 1980s, where the construction of the crypt mausoleum and archaeological exploration of the center nave were carried out.
The building
An unusual feature of Regensburg Cathedral is its separation from the structure of the older cloister. This separation came about when the church was rebuilt and displaced to the southwest of the earlier Romanesque cathedral.
In testimony of that Romanesque precursor, the Eselsturm ("donkey tower") still stands on the north side of the cathedral; it was used in the past and is still used to transport construction materials to the upper levels. A pulley remains in the west loft, and with it materials were lifted through an opening in the ceiling near the west portal. To the east of the cathedral is the state-run Dombauhütte (cathedral building workshop) which is responsible for the preservation of the structure. In contrast with many cathedral building workshops, neither modern machines nor exclusively old tools are used. Rather, tools are manufactured in the workshop itself.
The Virgin and the Angel Annunciate are two notable, monumental sandstone statues located on two pillars of the west crossing piers. Additionally there was a statue of a seated figure representing St. Peter within the main choir, but it is not there today. These sandstone sculptures were created by a man under the title of Erminoldmeister, and during the 13th century he was a significant contributor to monumental sculptures in Germany.[4] The two mentioned statues completed in 1280 that still exist within the cathedral today, one representing Mary, mother of Jesus, and the other representing the angel Gabriel, juxtapose one another on their pillars. Mary's right hand is slightly raised toward the angel in greeting. In her left hand she holds a book, into which she is pointing with her index finger.
In addition to these statues, on the eastern pillars at the crossing are stone figures of
On the exterior there is a Judensau (Jews' sow) in the form of a sow and three Jews hanging on to its teats. The Judensau faces in the direction of the former Jewish quarter at the Neupfarrplatz. In 2005 there was a controversy about the posting of an informational sign.[5]
The All Saints' Chapel in the cathedral cloister was built in 1140 as a burial chapel for Bishop
The cathedral opened in the year 1550.
The silver high altar stems from Augsburg artists, and was built at some point between 1695 and 1785. Another particular feature are the five Gothic Altars of Reservation. In the southern choir a new Altar of Celebration was built in 2004, and it was the work of Helmut Langhammer.
Significance
Regensburg Cathedral is the bishop's church and the principal church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Regensburg. It is also the home of Regensburger Domspatzen, which serves as the cathedral choir, and is rich in tradition. The structure is considered the most significant Gothic work in southern Germany.
The cathedral is also the burial place of important bishops, including
Dimensions
Overall length (interior) | 85.40 m |
Width (interior) | 34.94 m |
Height (nave) | 31.85 m |
Height (bell towers) | 105 m |
References
- ^ Tikkanen, Amy. "Regensburg, Germany". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d World Heritage Committee, UNESCO (16 July 2006). "World Heritage Scanned Nominations: Old town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof" (PDF). Retrieved 21 November 2018.
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(help) - ^ Simson, Otto (1956). The Gothic Cathedral: Origins of Gothic Architecture and the Medieval Concept of Order (48 ed.). New York: Bolligen Foundation. p. 14. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ISBN 9780195395365. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "The cathedral's "Judensau"". Stadt Regensburg. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ISBN 978-3-7954-6162-1.
Bibliography
- Peter Morsbach, Die Erbauer des Domes. Die Geschichte der Regensburger Dommeisterfamilie Roriczer-Engel (Regensburg: Schnell & Steiner 2009).
External links
- Diocese of Regensburg: Cathedral (in German)
- Virtual tour (in German)
- Diocese: Cathedral Museum (in German)
- for St. Peter's cathedral at the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Historic Buildings and Monuments