Regensburg Cathedral
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2018) |
| Saint Peter's Cathedral | |
|---|---|
Regensburger Dom | |
 Regensburg Cathedral, in the foreground the Danube. | |
  Saint Peter's Cathedral Location in Germany | |
| 49°01′10″N 12°05′54″E / 49.01944°N 12.09833°E | |
| Location | Regensburg |
| Country | Germany |
| Denomination | 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 |
The Regensburg Cathedral (Template:Lang-de), also known as St. Peter's Cathedral, is an example of important Gothic architecture within the German state of Bavaria.[1] It is a landmark for the city of Regensburg, Germany, and the seat of the Catholic Diocese of Regensburg.
Dimensions
| Overall length (interior) | 85.40 m |
| Width (interior) | 34.94 m |
| Height (nave) | 31.85 m |
| Height (bell towers) | 105 m |
History
The original church called Niedermünster, which was built where the current cathedral stands, was built around the year 700 . St. Boniface chose the location of this church, and where it was positioned was some distance away from the Porta Praetoria (a northern gate of Regensburg’s old Roman fort). Additionally, St. Boniface intended for Niedermünster to be the bishop’s seat. Niedermünster would be rebuilt during the Carolingian Dynasty, and be followed with an expansion during the early 11th century. This expansion would give the newer cathedral an approximately 15-meter-wide transept, two towers, and an atrium.
Between 1156-1172, the edifice of the newer cathedral burnt twice, and reconstruction began in 1273 with a High Gothic style. 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 the previously mentioned edifice was finished around the year 1520, and the cathedral’s cloister was constructed between 1514 and 1538.
One of the cathedral's builders, Matthew Roriczer, created and taught a way to take an elevation through a ground plan. This technique used to find the elevation does through through a square, and from this square he was able to develop the proportions of the cathedral's pinnacles.[3]
In the 17th century, the cupola located at the transept’s crossing, along with other sectors of the cathedral, were renovated in a Baroque style. Following this, between 1828 and 1841 the cathedral underwent a Neo-Gothic renovation, and this was commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria. With this renovation, the Baroque frescoes that were created in the 17th century were relocated, and the cupola was demolished and replaced with a quadripartite rib vault. Between 1859 and 1869, the towers as well as their spires were completed, and three years later the cathedral was fully complete.
The state-run Dombauhütte (Cathedral building workshop) was founded in 1923, for the oversight, maintenance, and restoration of the 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 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 works, 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, though 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(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 Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which were installed in 1320 and 1360-1370 respectively.
On the exterior there is a Judensau (Jews' sow) in the form of a sow and three Jews hanging onto 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.
The All Saints' Chapel in the cathedral cloister was built in 1164 as a burial chapel for Bishop Hartwig II by master builders from Como, in northern Italy. Its interior consists of a more finely articulated triconchos with frescoes from the time of its construction.
Most of the valuable stained glass windows were installed between 1220-1230 and 1320-1370, and the he windows of the west facade were only completed in the 19th century. Between 1967 and 1968, the windows of the left chancel, from the hand of the artist Professor Oberberger, were installed. He also produced the Pentecost window near the Northern transept and the clerestory windows in Gothic style.
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
The Regensburg Cathedral is the bishop's church and the principal church of the Regensburg diocese. It is also the home of the Regensburger Domspatzen ("cathedral sparrows"), a choir 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 Johann Michael von Sailer (1829-1832, memorial built by Konrad Eberhard in the south chancel), Georg Michael Wittmann (1832-1833, memorial also by Konrad Eberhard in the north chancel), and Archbishop Michael Buchberger (1927-1961, likewise in the north chancel). In the western part of the central nave stands a bronze memorial for the Prince-Bishop Cardinal Philipp Wilhelm (d. 1598), the brother of Duke Maximilian I of Bavaria.
References
- ^ Tikkanen, Amy. "Regensburg, Germany". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ Hubel, Achim (2010). Regensburg: St Peter's Cathedral. Schnell, Art Guide (4th ed.). Regensburg: Schnell & Steiner. p. 12. ISBN 978-3-7954-6162-1.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Horihane, Colum (2012). The Grove Encyclopedia of Medieval Art and Architecture (Volume 1 ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. p. 470. ISBN 9780195395365. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
Bibliography
- Peter Morsbach, Die Erbauer des Domes. Die Geschichte der Regensburger Dommeisterfamilie Roriczer-Engel (Regensburg: Schnell & Steiner 2009).
External links
- Diocese of Regensburg: Cathedral Template:De icon
- Virtual tour Template:De icon
- Diocese: Cathedral Museum Template:De icon
- for St. Peter's cathedral at the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Historic Buildings and Monuments
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