Bern Minster: Difference between revisions
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The '''Münster of Berne''' (German: ''Berner Münster'') is the Gothic [[cathedral]] (or [[Minster (cathedral)|minster]]) of the city of [[Berne]], [[Switzerland]]. Construction started in [[1421]]. Its tower with a height of 100 m (328 ft) was only completed in [[1893]]. It is the tallest in [[Switzerland]]. |
The '''Münster of Berne''' (German: ''Berner Münster'') is the Gothic [[cathedral]] (or [[Minster (cathedral)|minster]]) of the city of [[Berne]], [[Switzerland]]. Construction started in [[1421]]. Its tower with a height of 100 m (328 ft) was only completed in [[1893]]. It is the tallest in [[Switzerland]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The first church on this site probably was a small chapel built during the founding of Berne ([[1191]]). The chapel was first mentioned in [[1224]]. <ref> [http://www.sacred-destinations.com/switzerland/bern-cathedral.htm] </ref> On [[March 11]], [[1421]] construction began on the cathedral under the direction of the [[Strasbourg]] master builder [[Matthäus Ensinger]], who had already built three other cathedrals. |
The first church on this site probably was a small chapel built during the founding of Berne ([[1191]]). The chapel was first mentioned in [[1224]]. <ref> [http://www.sacred-destinations.com/switzerland/bern-cathedral.htm] </ref> On [[March 11]], [[1421]] construction began on the cathedral under the direction of the [[Strasbourg]] master builder [[Matthäus Ensinger]], who had already built three other cathedrals. During construction, services were held in the old chapel while the new cathedral was built up around it. During the 1440's the unvaulted [[Choir (architecture)|choir]] was used for services after a simple roof was built and [[stained glass]] windows were installed. After the [[Old Zürich War]] [[1440]]-[[1446]] the [[Nave]] of the old chapel was removed and work began on the nave and west end, under the chief masons [[Stefan Hurder]] and then [[Niklaus Birenvogt]]. In [[1483]] [[Erhard Küng]] (who carved the statues of the Last Judgement) became the master mason. Under his direction the nave walls were raised and the tower was built to the lower octagon. Following Küng's death in [[1506]], [[Peter Pfister]] lead the construction and finished the vaulting in the choir. In [[1571]] [[Daniel Heintz]] was brought in as master mason to finish vaulting the nave and finish the work. <ref> [http://www.markstravelnotes.com/europe/western%5Feurope/switzerland/canton%5Fberne/berne/places%5Fof%5Finterest/munster/] </ref> The central nave was finished by [[1575]] and at this point, construction stopped for almost three centuries. The bell tower, with the largest bell in Switzerland, wasn't completed until [[1893]]. During the centuries of construction, Berne became [[Protestant Reformation|Protestant]] and the Münster also became Protestant. |
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==The Last Judgement== |
==The Last Judgement== |
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Over the main portal is one of the most complete [[Gothic art|Late Gothic]] [[Sculpture|sculpture]] collections in [[Europe]]. This collection represents the Christian belief in a [[Last Judgment]] where the wicked will be seperated from the righteous. This sculpture shows the wicked naked on the left, while the righteous stand clothed in white on the right. In the center is Justice, with Saints and the [[Parable of the Ten Virgins|wise and foolish virgins]] around her. In the center stands [[Michael (archangel)|Micheal the Archangel]] with a raised sword. |
Over the main portal is one of the most complete [[Gothic art|Late Gothic]] [[Sculpture|sculpture]] collections in [[Europe]]. This collection represents the Christian belief in a [[Last Judgment]] where the wicked will be seperated from the righteous. This sculpture shows the wicked naked on the left, while the righteous stand clothed in white on the right. In the center is Justice, with Saints and the [[Parable of the Ten Virgins|wise and foolish virgins]] around her. In the center stands [[Michael (archangel)|Micheal the Archangel]] with a raised sword. |
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The sculptures of the Last Judgement were the only statues in the Münster to survive the [[Iconoclasm|iconoclasm]] of the Protestant Reformation. The 47 large free-standing statues replicas (the originals are in the Berne History Museum), and the 170 smaller figures are all original. <ref> [http://switzerland.isyours.com/E/guide/bern/muenster.html] </ref> The Last Judgement was the work of one sculptor, [[Erhard Küng]] from [[Province of Westphalia|Westphalia]], which gives the collection a unity of design. |
The sculptures of the Last Judgement were the only statues in the Münster to survive the [[Iconoclasm|iconoclasm]] of the Protestant Reformation. The 47 large free-standing statues replicas (the originals are in the Berne History Museum), and the 170 smaller figures are all original. <ref> [http://switzerland.isyours.com/E/guide/bern/muenster.html] </ref> The Last Judgement was the work of one sculptor, [[Erhard Küng]] from [[Statdlohn]] [[Province of Westphalia|Westphalia]], which gives the collection a unity of design. |
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==Interior of the Münster== |
==Interior of the Münster== |
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==Bell Tower== |
==Bell Tower== |
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Everyday at noon and 6 p.m., the bells in the tower are rung. You are allowed to climb the tower for a small fee and stand right next to the bells as they ring. The one bell is over 8 ft tall and shakes the room you are in as it swings. To safely stand next to it, one has to cover their ears to insure no hearing damage. |
Everyday at noon and 6 p.m., the bells in the tower are rung. You are allowed to climb the tower for a small fee and stand right next to the bells as they ring. The one bell is over 8 ft tall and shakes the room you are in as it swings. To safely stand next to it, one has to cover their ears to insure no hearing damage. |
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==Cathedral Grounds== |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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<gallery> |
<gallery> |
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Image:MuensterMachsNa.jpg|"machs na" (imitate it) |
Image:MuensterMachsNa.jpg|"machs na" (imitate it) |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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Revision as of 09:17, 10 November 2007
The Münster of Berne (German: Berner Münster) is the Gothic cathedral (or minster) of the city of Berne, Switzerland. Construction started in 1421. Its tower with a height of 100 m (328 ft) was only completed in 1893. It is the tallest in Switzerland.
History
The first church on this site probably was a small chapel built during the founding of Berne (1191). The chapel was first mentioned in 1224. [1] On March 11, 1421 construction began on the cathedral under the direction of the Strasbourg master builder Matthäus Ensinger, who had already built three other cathedrals. During construction, services were held in the old chapel while the new cathedral was built up around it. During the 1440's the unvaulted choir was used for services after a simple roof was built and stained glass windows were installed. After the Old Zürich War 1440-1446 the Nave of the old chapel was removed and work began on the nave and west end, under the chief masons Stefan Hurder and then Niklaus Birenvogt. In 1483 Erhard Küng (who carved the statues of the Last Judgement) became the master mason. Under his direction the nave walls were raised and the tower was built to the lower octagon. Following Küng's death in 1506, Peter Pfister lead the construction and finished the vaulting in the choir. In 1571 Daniel Heintz was brought in as master mason to finish vaulting the nave and finish the work. [2] The central nave was finished by 1575 and at this point, construction stopped for almost three centuries. The bell tower, with the largest bell in Switzerland, wasn't completed until 1893. During the centuries of construction, Berne became Protestant and the Münster also became Protestant.
The Last Judgement
Over the main portal is one of the most complete Late Gothic sculpture collections in Europe. This collection represents the Christian belief in a Last Judgment where the wicked will be seperated from the righteous. This sculpture shows the wicked naked on the left, while the righteous stand clothed in white on the right. In the center is Justice, with Saints and the wise and foolish virgins around her. In the center stands Micheal the Archangel with a raised sword.
The sculptures of the Last Judgement were the only statues in the Münster to survive the iconoclasm of the Protestant Reformation. The 47 large free-standing statues replicas (the originals are in the Berne History Museum), and the 170 smaller figures are all original. [3] The Last Judgement was the work of one sculptor, Erhard Küng from Statdlohn Westphalia, which gives the collection a unity of design.
Interior of the Münster
The Münster was built by the city of Bern as a symbol of the growing power of this city-state. [4] The interior was therefore designed to awe the citizens as well as foreign visitors. The central nave was built in a lacy gothic style with enormous stained glass windows and numerous altars in side chapels.
Altars
Many altars were financed by local families, creating a wealth of art and sculpture in the cathedral. However, in 1528 all 43 side altars were removed during the iconoclasm of the Protestant Reformation. [5] The empty chapels were filled with extra pews, creating three naves. Since that time, the interior of the cathedral has remained relatively empty and austere.
Stained Glass
The stained glass windows of the cathedral are the most valuable in Switzerland. The windows date from 1441-1450. The right hand windows were damaged during a hailstorm in 1520 and replaced in 1868 [4]. The most interesting window is the "Dance of Death" window located at the top of the right side nave. This window shows death, in the form of a skeleton, claiming people from every station in life. The Dance of Death served to remind the viewer that death will happen to everyone regardless of station or wealth.
Cathedral Organ
Bell Tower
Everyday at noon and 6 p.m., the bells in the tower are rung. You are allowed to climb the tower for a small fee and stand right next to the bells as they ring. The one bell is over 8 ft tall and shakes the room you are in as it swings. To safely stand next to it, one has to cover their ears to insure no hearing damage.
Cathedral Grounds
Gallery
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"machs na" (imitate it)
References
External links
- Old Cathedral Photograph: [5]
- Overall Cathedral View:[6]
- Cathedral Organ:[7]
- Berne Tourism: Münster Cathedral -- short description
- http://www.bernermuenster.ch Template:De icon
- Travelogue of Bern Cathedral - via You Tube
- A history of Berne Munster
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