Würzburg Cathedral
Encyclopedia
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
in Würzburg
Würzburg
Würzburg is a city in the region of Franconia which lies in the northern tip of Bavaria, Germany. Located at the Main River, it is the capital of the Regierungsbezirk Lower Franconia. The regional dialect is Franconian....
in Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, dedicated to Saint Kilian
Saint Kilian
Saint Kilian, also spelled Killian , was an Irish missionary bishop and the apostle of Franconia , where he began his labours towards the end of the 7th century.-Background:...
. It is the seat of the Bishop of Würzburg. With an overall length of 105 metres it is the fourth largest Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
church building in Germany, and a masterpiece of German architecture from the Salian period.
History
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
in Germany, is the third church on the site: the previous two, built in about 787 and 855, were respectively destroyed and severely damaged by fire. After Bruno's accidental death in 1045, his successor Adalbero
Adalbero of Würzburg
Adalbero of Würzburg was Bishop of Würzburg and Count of Lambach-Wels.-Life:He was the son of Count Arnold II of Lambach in Upper Austria and his wife the Countess Reginlint. He was born around 1010 in Lambach an der Traun...
completed the building in 1075.
The side aisles were remodelled in about 1500 in the Late Gothic style. The stuccoist Pietro Magno decorated the cathedral in Baroque
Baroque architecture
Baroque architecture is a term used to describe the building style of the Baroque era, begun in late sixteenth century Italy, that took the Roman vocabulary of Renaissance architecture and used it in a new rhetorical and theatrical fashion, often to express the triumph of the Catholic Church and...
stucco
Stucco
Stucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as decorative coating for walls and ceilings and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture...
work in 1701.
The greater part of the building collapsed in the winter of 1946 in consequence of the bombing of Würzburg on 16 March 1945. Reconstruction was completed in 1967, in the course of which the Baroque components were removed in favour of a re-Romanisation. The new interpretation emphasizes the contrast between the surviving historical parts of the structure, resulting in a sometimes controversial combination of predominantly Romanesque with modern and Baroque elements. The Neo-Romanesque west front with a rose window
Rose window
A Rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but is especially used for those found in churches of the Gothic architectural style and being divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery...
, the tripartite gallery and the opening for the clock were combined during the reconstruction with a plain pumice stone wall, and revealed again during renovation work up to November 2006. In 1988 the choir was redesigned by Hubert Elsässer.
Works of art
The cathedral contains numerous works of art, of which the following are of especial note:- baptismal fontBaptismal fontA baptismal font is an article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.-Aspersion and affusion fonts:...
(1279), by Meister Eckart of Worms - impressive series of tombs and epitaphs of bishops, including the monumental effigies of the prince-bishops Rudolf II von Scherenberg (1495) and Lorenz von BibraLorenz von BibraLorenz von Bibra, Duke in Franconia was Prince-Bishop of the Bishopric of Würzburg from 1495 to 1519. His life paralleled Maximilian I , who served as Holy Roman Emperor from 1493 to 1519, to which Lorenz did serve as an advisor....
(1519), both by Tilman RiemenschneiderTilman RiemenschneiderTilman Riemenschneider was a German sculptor and woodcarver active in Würzburg from 1483. He was one of the most prolific and versatile sculptors of the transition period between late Gothic and Renaissance, a master in stone and limewood.- Biography :Tilman Riemenschneider was born between 1459... - seven-armed candelabra (1981) by Andreas Moritz
- Schönborn Chapel by Balthasar NeumannBalthasar NeumannJohann Balthasar Neumann , also known as Balthasar Neumann, was a [German] military artillery engineer and architect who developed a refined brand of Baroque architecture, fusing Austrian, Bohemian, Italian, and French elements to design some of the most impressive buildings of the period,...
- crypt with cycle of stained glass by Georg MeistermannGeorg MeistermannGeorg Meistermann was a German painter and draftsman who was also famous for his stained glass windows in the whole of Europe....
Layout of main level of building
- 1. Trellis by Markus Gattinger (1750/52; outermost wings 1967)
- 2. Gottfried of Spitzberg (d 1190)
- 3. Bishop Gottfried III von HohenloheHohenloheHohenlohe is the name of a German princely family and the name of their principality.At first rulers of a county, its two branches were raised to the rank of principalities of the Holy Roman Empire in 1744 and 1764 respectively; in 1806 they lost their independence and their lands formed part of...
(d 1322) - 4. Bishop Manegold von Neuenburg (d 1303)
- 5. Bishop Otto II von Wolfskeel (d 1345; by the so-called Wolfskeel Master)
- 6. Three kings with the Madonna
- 7. Bishop Wolfram von Grumbach (d 1333)
- 8. Bishop Johann II von Brunn (d 1440)
- 9. Bishop Albrecht II von HohenloheHohenloheHohenlohe is the name of a German princely family and the name of their principality.At first rulers of a county, its two branches were raised to the rank of principalities of the Holy Roman Empire in 1744 and 1764 respectively; in 1806 they lost their independence and their lands formed part of...
(d 1372) - 10. Bishop Gottfried IV Schenk von Limpurg (d 1455)
- 11. Bishop Rudolf von ScherenbergRudolf von ScherenbergRudolf II von Scherenberg was Bishop of Würzburg from 1466 until his death.Rudolf von Scherenberg was the son of Erhard von Scherenberg and Anna von Massbach. On April 30, 1466, he was appointed as bishop to replace Johann von Grumbach. He was confirmed as bishop on June 20, 1466...
(d 1495; by Tilman RiemenschneiderTilman RiemenschneiderTilman Riemenschneider was a German sculptor and woodcarver active in Würzburg from 1483. He was one of the most prolific and versatile sculptors of the transition period between late Gothic and Renaissance, a master in stone and limewood.- Biography :Tilman Riemenschneider was born between 1459...
) - 12. Bishop Melchior Zobel von Giebelstadt (d 1558; by Peter Dell the Younger)
- 13. Bishop Lorenz von BibraLorenz von BibraLorenz von Bibra, Duke in Franconia was Prince-Bishop of the Bishopric of Würzburg from 1495 to 1519. His life paralleled Maximilian I , who served as Holy Roman Emperor from 1493 to 1519, to which Lorenz did serve as an advisor....
(d 1519; by Tilman Riemenschneider) - 14. Bishop Friedrich von Wirsberg (d 1573)
- 15. Bishop Julius Echter von MespelbrunnJulius Echter von MespelbrunnJulius Echter von Mespelbrunn was a Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, Echter was born in Mespelbrunn Castle, Spessart and died in Würzburg....
(d 1617; by Nikolaus Lenkhart) - 16. Chancel
- 17. Bishop Johann Gottfried I von Aschhausen (d 1622)
- 18. Ferdinand von Schlör (d 1924)
- 19. Choir and apse in stucco relief
- 20. North transept altar and Provost's Altar (by Pietro Magno 1704)
- 21. Provost Faust Franz Ludwig von Stromberg (d 1673; by Johann Philipp Preiss)
- 22. Portal to the sacristy
- 23. Bishop Gerhard von Schwarzburg (d 1400)
- 24. Lothar Franz von Schönborn (d 1729)
- 25. Altar of Mary MagdaleneMary MagdaleneMary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
- 26. Johann Philipp Franz von Schönborn (d 1724)
- 27. Fresco of the Resurrection (by Byss)
- 28. Door to the Schönborn Chapel, with angel (by Curé)
- 29. Bishop Friedrich Karl von Schönborn-Buchheim (d 1746)
- 30. Altar of the PietàPietàThe Pietà is a subject in Christian art depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus, most often found in sculpture. As such, it is a particular form of the Lamentation of Christ, a scene from the Passion of Christ found in cycles of the Life of Christ...
- 31. Bishop Johann Philipp von SchönbornJohann Philipp von SchönbornJohann Philipp von Schönborn was the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz from 1647 until 1673, the Bishop of Würzburg from 1642 until 1673, and the Bishop of Worms from 1663 until 1673....
, also Archbishop of Mainz and Bishop of Worms (d 1673) - 32. Bishop Conrad von BibraConrad von BibraConrad von Bibra , Duke in Franconia was Prince-Bishop of Würzburg from 1540 to 1544. -Biography:...
(d 1544; by Peter Dell the Elder) - 33. Altar of Our Lady
- 34. Dean Johann Konrad Kottwitz von Aulenbach (d 1610; by Zacharias Juncker)
- 35. Crypt entrance and exit
- 36. Bishop Konrad II von Thüngen (d 1540; bronze plate)
- 37. Bishop Conrad von BibraConrad von BibraConrad von Bibra , Duke in Franconia was Prince-Bishop of Würzburg from 1540 to 1544. -Biography:...
(d 1544; bronze plate) - 38. Bishop Lorenz von BibraLorenz von BibraLorenz von Bibra, Duke in Franconia was Prince-Bishop of the Bishopric of Würzburg from 1495 to 1519. His life paralleled Maximilian I , who served as Holy Roman Emperor from 1493 to 1519, to which Lorenz did serve as an advisor....
(d 1519; bronze plate, by Hans VischerVischer Family of NurembergVischer is the name of a family of sculptors active in Nuremberg between 1453 and 1549. The family contributed largely to the masterpieces of German art in the 15th and 16th centuries. Attribution between them can be confusing since they worked together out of the same workshop...
and Peter Vischer the ElderPeter Vischer the ElderPeter Vischer the Elder was a German sculptor, the son of Hermann Vischer, and the most famous member of the noted Vischer Family of Nuremberg....
) - 39. Erasmus Neustetter known as Stürmer (d 1594; bronze plate)
- 40. Johann Philipp Fuchs von Dornheim (d 1727; bronze plate)
- 41. Richard von der Kere (d 1583; bronze plate)
- 42. Albrecht von Bibra, dean of the cathedral chapterCathedral chapterIn accordance with canon law, a cathedral chapter is a college of clerics formed to advise a bishop and, in the case of a vacancy of the episcopal see in some countries, to govern the diocese in his stead. These councils are made up of canons and dignitaries; in the Roman Catholic church their...
(d 1511; bronze plate) - 43. Gg. von Giech (d 1501; bronze plate)
- 44. Philipp Adolph von Ehrenberg (d 1631; bronze plate)
- 45. Bishop Franz Ludwig von Erthal (d 1795)
- 46. Gg. Anton von Stahl (d 1870)
- 47. Johann Valentin Reissmann (d 1875)
- 48. Franz Josef von Stein (d 1909)
- 49. Adam Friedrich Gross von Trockau (d 1840)
- 50. Georg Karl von Fechenbach (d 1808)
- 51. Bishop Christoph Franz von Hutten (d l729)
- 52. Mural of Saints Felix, Regula and Exuberantius
- 53. Bishop Adam Friedrich von SeinsheimSeinsheimSeinsheim is a municipality in the district of Kitzingen in Bavaria in Germany. It is best known for its connection with the countly Seinsheim family which died out with the exception of the princely House of Schwarzenberg branch of the family....
(d 1779) - 54. Peter von Aufsess (d 1522; bronze plate)
- 55. Johann von GuttenbergHouse of GuttenbergThe House of Guttenberg is a prominent Franconian family which traces its origins back to 1149 with a Gundeloh v. Blassenberg . Though, the first mention in a document is dated 1158. The name Guttenberg is derived from Guttenberg and was adopted by a Heinrich von Blassenberg around 1310...
(d 1538; bronze plate) - 56. Erasmus Neustetter known as Stürmer (d 1594; bronze plate)
- 57. Johann Konrad Kottwitz von Aulenbach (d 1610; bronze plate)
- 58. Bishop Melchior Zobel von Giebelstadt (d 1558; bronze plate)
- 59. Bishop Friedrich von Wirsberg (d 1573; bronze plate)
- 60. Bishop Julius Echter von MespelbrunnJulius Echter von MespelbrunnJulius Echter von Mespelbrunn was a Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, Echter was born in Mespelbrunn Castle, Spessart and died in Würzburg....
(d 1617; bronze plate) - 61. The Death of Mary (sculptural group)
- 62. Neithart von Thüngen, Bishop of Bamberg and Provost of Würzburg (d 1598; by Hans Juncker)
- 63. Apostles' Altar (three statues by Tilman Riemenschneider 1502/06)
- 64. Bishop Konrad II von Thüngen (d 1540; by Loy HeringLoy HeringLoy Hering was a German Renaissance sculptor.-Biography:He began his career as an apprentice to Hans Beierlein in Augsburg. Between 1511 and 1512 he settled in Eichstätt, where in 1519 he was elected to the city council, from which he was elected to the post of Mayor several times...
) - 65. Moritz von Hutten (d 1552)
- 66. Dean's Altar (by Pietro Magno)
- 67. Georg Heinrich von Stadion (d 1716)
- 68. Bernhard von Solms (Lich)House of Solms-Hohensolms-LichThe House of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich is a Hessian princely family, and a line of the House of Solms. The House of Solms originally were imperial countsThe prominent liberal politician Hermann Otto Solms is a member of the family....
(d 1553) - 69. Doorway to cloister
- 70. Heinrich Truchsess von Wetzhausen (d 1548)
- 71. Jakob Baur von Eiseneck (d 1621)
- 72. Paul Truchsess von Wetzhausen-Unsleben (d 1528)
- 73. Burial chapel
- 74. Jakob Fuchs von Wonfurt (d 1558)
- 75. Heinrich von SeinsheimSeinsheimSeinsheim is a municipality in the district of Kitzingen in Bavaria in Germany. It is best known for its connection with the countly Seinsheim family which died out with the exception of the princely House of Schwarzenberg branch of the family....
(d 1360) - 76. Ebbo (?) (10th century)
- 77. Master of the cathedral school (late Gothic)
- 78. Crucifixion Group (1763)
- 79. Friedrich von Brandenburg (d 1536)
- 80. Old cathedral school gate 1565
- 81. Saint Kilian (1720, by Esterbauer)
- 82. Wall painting fragments of Christ and Mary, and of Mary and Saint John the Evangelist
- 83. Door to the cloister and two late Gothic coats of arms (Scherenberg and Grumbach)
- 84. Johann von Grumbach (d 1466)
- 85. Johann von Egloffstein (d 1411)
- 86. Johann Vitus von Würtzburg (d 1756; bronze plate)
- 87. Vitus Gottfried von Wernau (d 1649; bronze plate)
- 88. Sebastian Echter von Mespelbrunn (brother of bishop; d 1575)
- 89. Martin von der Kere (d 1507; bronze relief), and Konrad Friedrich von Thüngen (d 1629; bronze relief)
- 90. Pillar of Jachin, 11th century
- 91. Pillar of Booz, 11th century
- 92. Bronze baptismal fontBaptismal fontA baptismal font is an article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.-Aspersion and affusion fonts:...
by Master Eckard of Worms, 1279 - 93. Pietà (c. 1410)
- 94. Heraldic fragment of gravestone of Provost Daniel von Stibar (d 1555)
- 95. Gravestone of Johann Philipp Echter von Mespelbrunn (d 1665)
- 96. Fragment of gravestone of Lorenz Truchsess von Pommersfelden (d 1543)
- 97. Dean Franz Christ. von Rosenbach (d 1687; by Sebastian Betz)
- 98. Johann Philipp Ludwig Ignaz von FranckensteinHouse of FranckensteinFranckenstein is the name of a Franconian, noble family, descendants from the Lords of Lützelbach from Höchst im Odenwald, respectively their offspring, the Dynasts of Breuberg.- Family legend :...
(d 1780; by Franz Martin Mutschele) - 99. Saint John the Evangelist (by Tilman Riemenschneider)
- 100. Coat-of-arms of the Elector Johann Philipp von SchönbornJohann Philipp von SchönbornJohann Philipp von Schönborn was the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz from 1647 until 1673, the Bishop of Würzburg from 1642 until 1673, and the Bishop of Worms from 1663 until 1673....
(d 1673) - 101. Grave of Tilman RiemenschneiderTilman RiemenschneiderTilman Riemenschneider was a German sculptor and woodcarver active in Würzburg from 1483. He was one of the most prolific and versatile sculptors of the transition period between late Gothic and Renaissance, a master in stone and limewood.- Biography :Tilman Riemenschneider was born between 1459...
(copy of original tombstone)
Organs
The main organ was built in 1969 by the organ builders Klais. There is a second organ for the choir, and a third is planned for 2010.Bells
The cathedral today has 20 bells, with a total combined weight of 26 tons. The "Lobdeburg Bell", by Cunradus Citewar of Würzburg, the most prominent bellfounder of his time, dates from 1257, and, because it was taken down in 1933 and stored in the crypt, is the only ancient bell of the cathedral to have survived the firestorm caused by the bombing of 16 March 1945. It now hangs in the south-west tower and is rung every Friday at 3.00 p.m., to mark the hour of the death of Jesus Christ.Würzburg Synod
Between 1971 and 1975 the Würzburg Synod convened in the cathedral at the wish of Cardinal Döpfner, to determine the application of the Second Vatican CouncilSecond Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
to Germany.
External links
- Information on and pictures of the cathedral (private interest website)