built. On the northern side was the palatial bishop's residence. Apart from the seven western bays of the nave and the westwork, the mediaeval structure is original. This feature soon became a fundamental element in Romanesque churches;[23] it was adopted at Worms Cathedral and Mainz Cathedral, and on the faades of many churches in Italy (see detail in gallery below). Nearly completed, the cathedral was consecrated in 1061. Success! "[4], The expanded cathedral, Speyer II, was completed in 1106, the year of Henry's IV death. The restoration of the cathedral, beginning in 1957 "was directed towards both securing the structure and recreating the original atmosphere of the interior". Architectural Life The arcade has piers of a simple form, each with a wide attached shaft, the alternate shafts carrying a stone arch of the high vault. In addition to these rulers the cathedral is the resting place of several of the ruler's wives and many of Speyer's bishops. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. And the Speyer Cathedral became the largest building in all of Europe, which meant Conrad's political and military might. Only the Gothic sacristy kept its slate roof. Speyer Cathedral, Speyer, Germany (2023) - timetravelturtle.com Commissioned by the Bavarian King Ludwig I., the interior was painted in late Nazarene style by the school of Johannes Schraudolph and Josef Schwarzmann from 1846 to 1853. It has become a custom tradition at the church to fill this bowl with wine whenever a new bishop is named. The nave was elevated by five metres and the flat wooden ceiling replaced with a groin vault of square bays, one of the outstanding achievements of Romanesque architecture. It's an architectural feature that packs an aesthetic punch, proving once again that. It's made up of two square baileys separated by a passageway. The height of the towers is 71 meters. Dom zu Speyer Mannheim, 2005, This page was last edited on 22 April 2023, at 17:11. This design approach was believed to have influenced many other buildings that use the Romanesque architectural style in the 11th and 12th century. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) justified the inclusion: Eduard Rottmanner was organist at the church from 1839 to 1843. Rib vault - Wikipedia In the reconstruction of the head, reinforcing the walls of the crypt, two bell towers rising from the towers instead of the stairs and an apse was added to the chorus, which finished with a triangular pediment that accentuates a series of arches. Here are some of the dimensions of Speyer Cathedral: Height (western towers): 65.6 meters (215.22 feet), Height (eastern towers): 71.2 meters (233.59 feet). It is one of the most important Romanesque monuments from the time of the . However, to receive the title of Holy Roman Emperor, they had to be crowned by the pope. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Held in the first phase of construction of the cathedral, we have an orderly space of abstract language, formed by arches and pillars separating the crossing of the arms of the transept of the arm to the east and west crypt. The centre, under the crossing, is a square room, divided into 3 x 3 = 9 bays. Romanesque Architecture and the Top 15 Romanesque Buildings Also, the Baroque style curved roof on the eastern dome remained.[24]. Speyer Cathedral - UNESCO World Heritage On that day almost the whole town of Speyer was burned down. : 'cathedral bowl') It formerly marked the boundary between the episcopal and municipal territories. Speyer Cathedral, Interior German Romanesque architecture, centered in the Rhineland, was equally conservative, although its conservatism reflects the persistence of Carolingian-Otto-nian rather than earlier traditions. "The result is an interior of monumental power, albeit stark and prismatic when compared with contemporary French buildings, but one which conveys an impression of Roman gravitas, an impression singularly appropriate for a ruler with the political pretensions of Henry IV. St. Mary is the patron saint of Speyer. Speyer Cathedral is the first known structure to be built with a gallery that encircles the whole building. colour corrected. The church features a Romanesque architectural style and was inscribed in 1981. The building featuring 4 towers and 2 domes is described by UNESCO as one of the most important Romanesque monuments in Europe. During the Napoleonic Wars (1803 to 1815) the cathedral was used as a stable and storage facility for fodder and other material. The Cupola is given an octogonal shape (hard to see) as the number 8 represent the completion of the Creation. It once stood right by the Rhine, at the very edge of the plateau, adjoined by some marshy area which used to be called "heath". Although repeatedly occupied and ransacked, town and cathedral survived the Thirty Years' War (16181648) with little damage. Germany. Equally striking is the fact that he had the entire eastern end of the cathedral, which is referred to as Speyer I, demolished. The Salian emperors wanted Speyer Cathedral to bear witness to the sacredness and continuity of the empire and the emperors royal dignity. The westwork, replacing the mediaeval structure and the addition of the late 18th century, is an addition of the period of 1854 to 1858. "The cathedral of Speyer, with those of Worms and Mayence (Mainz), is a major monument of Romanesque art in the German Empire. [2], Over the centuries, crypts developed from tiny chambers into large semi-subterranean and very articulated hall crypts, which became standard forms in Italy and Germany, sometimes extending under the transepts as well as the chancel. Top 8 Interesting Speyer Cathedral Facts Image characteristics. In 1806 the French had in mind to tear the building down and use it as a quarry, which was only prevented by the bishop of Mainz, Joseph Ludwig Colmar. When a new bishop was installed, the bowl was filled with wine and everyone in the city could drink freely. Speyer Cathedral, frescoes of the nave | Speyer, Germany | imaginoso (History of Architecture 2) Sept 2012 romanesque architecture - SlideShare The sculpture of the Mount of Olives was destroyed in the great fire of 1689 and left in ruins after the rubble of the cloister was removed in 1820 in order to create some open space. This way Speyer was given the prestige of a real Royal Residence. On the northern side of the cathedral is the chapel of Saint Afra, named after an early Christian martyr. [3][4] With the Abbey of Cluny in ruins, it remains the largest Romanesque church. Whether you want to learn the history of a city, or you simply need a recommendation for your next meal, Discover Walks Team offers an ever-growing travel encyclopaedia. The expanded cathedral, Speyer II, was completed in 1106, the year of Henry's IV death. For almost a century only the eastern part of the cathedral was secured and used for services. The church also features a Barrel Vault, which was an important innovation in Romanesque Architecture, which evolved into the Gothic Ribbed Vault. The stone would be laid in the open during the winter and the moisture in the saturated stone would freeze, expand and split the stone along the laminations producing stone of suitable thickness for roofs. In the square at the western end of the cathedral is a large bowl known as Domnapf (lit. Located in the Upper Rhine between Brasilea and Mainz, Speyer Cathedral is considered the largest Romanesque church in the West for its grandeur, due to the total space. Today, the Saint Afra Chapel is a tabernacle. The domes are both octagonal, the roof of the eastern one being slightly ovoid. Ludwig I was of the opinion that nothing greater had been created than these paintings. [22] The dwarf gallery encircles the top of the apse, underlining its rounded form, and runs all around the structure below the roofline. On the eastern side, under the cathedrals choir, there is another room which ends with an apse. Saint Mary's chapel had been added on the northern side of the cathedral by Bishop Matthias von Rammung in 1475. Discover Walks contributors speak from all corners of the world - from Prague to Bangkok, Barcelona to Nairobi. Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St Stephen. In a big excavation campaign in 1900 the graves were discovered and opened and the identity of the rulers was established. Speyer Cathedral, Speyer, Germany - SpottingHistory.com Speyer Cathedral, the largest Romanesque church in the world, toured The history of the cathedral begins in the XI century, when in 1030 the construction of the Cathedral was begun by the Kaiser of Germany Konrad II. One of the most famous organists in Germany, Leo Kremer and Ludwig Derr, gave concerts here. The interior decoration cannot be called modest, despite the minimum of decorations and frescoes (only a few banners). In the great fire the Prince-Bishops of Speyer lost their residence and a plan was considered to build a new one in the style of a Baroque chteau in place of the cathedral. In addition the frescos by Johann Schraudolph, which were removed in the 1950s, were restored and are now displayed in the "Kaisersaal" of the cathedral. It became a characteristic feature in the design and structure of German Romanesque buildings. Comparing Romanesque and Gothic Architecture: Differences, Features [2][16], Around 1090, Conrad's grandson, Emperor Henry IV, conducted an ambitious reconstruction in order to enlarge the cathedral. Construction began 1030 on the site of a former basilica which stood on an elevated plateau right by the Rhine but safe from high water. The property is legally protected under regional and national legislation and managed under the responsibility of the Cathedral Chapter by the Cathedral Construction Administration (Dombauamt). The Speyer Cathedral is considered as the greatest romanesque church in the World. [2] As the burial site for Salian, Staufer and Habsburg emperors and kings the cathedral is regarded as a symbol of imperial power. Meanwhile, the Speyer Cathedral also hosts the International Music Festival that is held in September and October. Year 1050. Von den Saliern bis heute, 1000 Jahre Stadtgeschichte, 2000, Hermann Klein Verlg, Speyer. [15] Neither Conrad II, nor his son Henry III, were to see the cathedral completed. The reconstruction of the west bays of the nave from 1772 to 1778, as an almost archaeologically exact copy of the original structure, can be regarded as one of the first great achievements of monument preservation in Europe. A German Romanesque Church : Speyer Cathedral Located on the Rhine River in southwest Germany, the trading town of Speyer thrived between the 10th and 11th centuries. For 10 centuries of existence, the House has changed little, although it has been subjected to repeated barbaric attacks.So, in the XVII century it was destroyed by the French troops of King Louis the 14th, who was outraged by the fact that under the arches of the cathedral there is a tomb of German rulers and their spouse. Cole, Emily, General Editor, Bulfinch Press, Little, Brown and Co., 2002, Boston, USA. The keep is located in the second area. Because of the hostility of the people of Speyer towards the bishop it was decided to build a palace in Bruchsal. "The cathedral re-emerged in a more sculptural style typical of the prime of the Romanesque period. Likewise its crypt, consecrated in 1041, is the biggest hall of the Romanesque era. Today, it doesn't look unusual - but the construction work done here helped develop techniques that enabled many of the other grand churches in the region to flourish. [2] This comprised a high vaulted nave with aisles, with a domed crossing towards at the east which terminated in an apsidal chancel. The restoration history and methods document the evolution of the principles of restoration. Construction was started in 1030 and took 80 years to complete. ", "Romanesque Art and Architecture ninemsn Encarta", Speyer Cathedral / UNESCO Official Website, Rhineland-Palatinate website for Speyer Cathedral (German), Scan of the chapter on early christianity in Speyer, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Speyer_Cathedral&oldid=1151221727, The Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St Stephen, Stages of construction and reconstruction, Total length: 134 m (from the steps at the entrance to the exterior wall of the east apse), External width of the nave (with aisles): 37.62 m (from exterior wall to exterior wall), Height of the nave at the vertex of the vaults: 33 m, Crypt Length: east-west 35 m; north-south 46 m Height: between 6.2 m and 6.5 m, Features of Speyer Cathedral and its surroundings. Only the Gothic sacristy kept its slate roof. Along with Santiago de Compostela (begun 1075), Cluny Abbey (Cluny III, begun 1085), and Durham Cathedral (begun 1093), it was the most ambitious project of the time. Even now, many centuries later, it is the hallmark of the city and attracts the attention of anyone who passes through the city gates. The building became a political issue: the enlargement of the cathedral in the small village of Speyer with only around . The official name of the cathedral is the Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St Stephen. His son Henry III (1016-1056) continued the work but neither saw the building completed in 1061. NARRATOR: Speyer Cathedral, Germany - the jewel in the crown of Romanesque architecture and a medieval monument to imperial power. In terms of its architectural feature, the triple-naved vaulted basilica is the central feature of the element design. The Speyer cathedral was elevated to the level of a national monument. The cathedral, which is dedicated to St. Mary, patron saint of Speyer ("Patrona Spirensis") and St. Stephen is generally known as the Kaiserdom zu Speyer (Imperial Cathedral of Speyer). Eduard Rottmanner was organist at the church from 1839-1843. Honoring Mary: The Speyer Cathedral's Marian Legacy - NCR It is a Roman Catholic Church in Speyer, Germany that was founded in 1030. The Speyer Cathedral is an Episcopal church, a parish church and a pilgrimage destination. Because the people of Speyer didnt want to let go of their beloved church, this plan never materialized. The crypt has a width of 35 meters and a length of 46 meters. The height of the towers is 71 meters. 1211), Medieval Krakow and its Churches: Structure and Meanings, The Mystery of the Octagon: Aachen Cathedral, A Town of Beauty and Passion : Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments. 300 . The church had been consecrated in 1061 when it was just about completed and it was one of the main building projects in Europe at the time. No stained glass was used for the chapel windows, instead natural light was allowed to come through. The Romanesque nave was reconstructed, but the westwork rebuilt in the Baroque style on its remaining lower section. The "double-bay system" of Speyer functioning as a support for the stone vaults was copied in many monuments along the Rhine. This is how the side walls are attached to the roof by the same material, replacing the bucket abstracto sealed horizontal, for a space defined by semicircular arches. Thieme/Sommer/Wolfe: "Das groe Buch der Stile", Band 5, "Die Romanik", Reinhard Welz, Vermittler Verlag e.K. The archaic building made of copper-red stone impresses with the rigor of its forms and its dimensions. "[26](see detail below). Radding, Charles M. and Clark, William W.: Medieval Architecture, Medieval Learning: Builders and Masters in the Age of Romanesque and Gothic, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 1992, List of regional characteristics of Romanesque churches, History of medieval Arabic and Western European domes, "Romanesque architecture and art | Infoplease", "Romanesque Architecture And Art | Encyclopedia.com", "Der Kaiserdom zu Speyer Zahlen, Namen, Fakten fr besonders Eilige", "Endlich wieder "Ischa Freimaak!" In the nave, the articulation of the walls in relief, where the wall and double wall stuffed with pilasters, as highlighted in the first part of the building. Only the cycle of 24 scenes from the life of the Virgin between the windows of the nave have been preserved. Below is a list of the emperors and kings (along with their wives) that made the church as their burial site: If you are visiting the Speyer Cathedral, do not miss out on the cathedral bowl. Gables which had been removed from the transept and choir during the Baroque era were replaced using etchings and examples in related buildings. Are covered with domes on edge by bays of 8 square meters in vain. Speyer Cathedral The imperial cathedral in Speyer, officially known as the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Stephen, is the town's most prominent landmark. Speyer Cathedral, a basilica with four towers and two domes, was founded by Conrad II in 1030 and remodelled at the end of the 11th century. The word Romanesque means Roman-style, and was in direct contrast to the Gothic style which was favored in other cities. Later, in the 50s of the XIX century, the cathedral was completely restored and appeared before the eyes of the crowd in its original form. It was just as ambitious as Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (started in 1075), Cluny Abbey (Cluny III, started in 1085), and Durham Cathedral (started in 1093). Speyer Cathedral in Germany of Romanesque architecture Romanesque Architecture Speyer, Speyer, Germany Having gone through several reconstructions over the last 900 years, it is difficult to model the original form of the Speyer Cathedral. There was an error submitting your subscription. style/period. The cathedral was built by the Emperor to show his power, which is why it is also known as the Kaiser Dome and a large statue of Conrad II was placed in the entrance hall. Image by Cornelia Schneider-Frank from Pixabay. Speyer Cathedral is the largest Romanesque cathedral in the world and is the burial site for eight different German emperors and kings. From the outside the whole appears as a solid western massif, as a transept, which by the year 1100 had three towers, which today are not retained. The concept of the double chapel was well established by the end of the 11th century, dating back to the time of Charlemagne and commonly used in imperial and Episcopal chapels. The cathedral was consecrated in the year 1061 and years later, Henry IV continued construction are built apses and transepts, and is covered with vault the nave. Our website, podcast and Youtube page offers news and resources about the Middle Ages. . Located on the Rhine River in southwest Germany, the trading town of Speyer thrived between the 10th and 11th centuries. In Read More The interior decorations and the new westwork were considered a major feat in the 19th century. The Cathedral was the burial place of the German emperors for almost 300 years. To the south it was adjoined by a cloister with a sculpture of the Mount of Olives in its centre.