Historical Sketch of the Cathedral of StrasburgAnonymous
History
Historical Sketch of the Cathedral of Strasburg
Anonymous
Strassburger Münster
All these statues, now blackened by the centuries that have
passed over them, have all a stern appearance, like those that
deck the magnificent middle porch representing either prophets of
the Old Testament, Apostles or fathers of the Church. In the
arches of these three porticos are figures of a smaller size,
which like the bas-reliefs of the tympans, exhibit either scenes
taken from Scripture, or saints and angels. In the tympan on the
right hand door, Jesus is seen seated on a rain-bow, and over him
is the Resurrection of the dead and the Judgment-day. On the
butting pillar that divides both folds of the middle porch[1], is
placed a blessed Virgin holding an infant Christ in her arms. The
fronton of this portal is formed by two triangles and adorned
with many figures; that on the summit of the interior triangle,
which first strikes the eye, is king Solomon seated under a
canopy; on both sides of him are fourteen lions raised on steps
or benches that draw near towards the top and join near a Virgin
Mary sitting with the infant Christ on one arm and holding a
globe in her other hand; she is the Patroness of the church.
Above her a radiated head, representing God the Father, forms the
point of the triangle that encircles the inside fronton, which is
decked with figures playing on different musical instruments. On
the sides facing the North and South, the two towers have each a
large window with most beautiful _rosaces_. Over the window on
the South side is seen a very old sculpture, the grotesque
figures of which represent the night revelling of sorcerers. The
frontons of the other porticos are also adorned with _rosaces_.
[1] The beautiful folds of the middle door, mounted with artful
bronze ornaments which were executed in Paris after the designs
of the architect of our cathedral, Mr. Klotz, were hung up in
1879.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account