The Gray Monk

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June 11, 2005

Incredible medieval architecture

Speyer Dom - Cathedral - is a fine example of the medieval architects' work. It has seen some dangerous and difficult times in its history. It is also the resting place of four Kaisers (Emperors), three Kaiserins (Empresses), and five Konigs (Kings). This is the burial place of the Salian dynasty - the grandsons and great grandsons of Charles the Great - aka Charlemagne or Karl der Grosser! Founded in 975, it was built in several stages and was, in 1106, the world's largest building.

The soaring Gothic interior of the Nave of Speyer Dom - the Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Stephen.

Fire has been an enemy for this cathedral, destroying the roof and some structure in 1159 and again in 1450 when repair work on the organ is reported to have been the cause. The thirty years war, which ravaged the Rhine Palatinate, also contributed to the damage, with the French burning the city and its Dom in 1689. The 18th Century also saw some traumatic events, with major reconstruction and renovation, only for it all to be undone by the French Revolutionary troops who invaded this area in 1794.

Since 1803, the cathedral has suffered some difficult times - the French used a lot of these buildings as arsenals or stables and looted most of the treasuries - but the later 19th Century saw the beginning of a huge amount of restoration work which is still ongoing. The beautifully restored cathedral as we see it today is the result of much careful restoration since 1945, and it is a tribute to both its congregation, its Bishops and Chapters, and to the people of Speyer that it still stands as a fine example of the Gothic builders' art.

For all its weight of history and the tragedies it has witnessed, it still has a warm and welcoming feel to it - surely a tribute to the faith of those who use and care for it.

Posted by The Gray Monk at June 11, 2005 06:46 PM

Comments

Posted by: Marc at June 15, 2005 03:50 PM