Konstanz Minster

Coordinates: 47°39′48″N 9°10′35″E / 47.66333°N 9.17639°E / 47.66333; 9.17639
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Konstanz Minster seen from north-west

Konstanz Minster or Konstanz Cathedral (

diocese of Konstanz
(dissolved in 1821).

History

The first mention of a church in Konstanz dedicated to the

Virgin Mary was in 615.[1] Documentary confirmation of the Episcopal church Ecclesia sanctae Mariae urbis Constantiae is dated to the mid 8th century. There is clear evidence indicating that it was located on the Cathedral Hill, where a late Romanesque fortification with an adjoining civilian settlement had been established. In 780, the church was mentioned in a confirmation of a contract by Charlemagne
.

St Maurice’s Rotunda [de] (Holy Sepulchre) was built in 940 on orders of Bishop Konrad (934 - 975) who was canonized in 1123. The relics of Saint Pelagius were also kept in the minster.

In 1052, the cathedral collapsed. Its reconstruction took place under Bishop Rumold von Konstanz [de] (1051 - 1069), with the eastern transept and three naves separated by 16 monoliths.

The next 300 years saw the construction of one tower, followed by the second, then a great fire destroyed one tower along with parts of the basilica as well as 96 other houses in the city. The south tower was completed in 1378.

From 1414 to 1418 the cathedral hosted the

Martin V, who had been elected Pope by the Conclave and thereby ending the schism
dividing the Church, was enthroned in this Cathedral in 1417.

In 1415 Jan Hus, because of his teachings, was condemned as a heretic by the Council who, at this time, was without a Pope. He was then delivered to the secular power who condemned him to death, tied him to a stake and publicly burnt him alive.

Between 1418 and 1525, the Cathedral was adapted to Gothic style by master craftsmen. In the period from 1526 to 1551, the Bishop left Konstanz because of the

Zurich
, caused the destruction of artwork in the Cathedral.

The subsequent centuries saw the addition of more paintings, wrought iron gates and sculptures, as well as the replacement and repair of destroyed items. Of note is the replacement of the painted Romanesque wooden ceiling by brick vaulting in 1637.

In 1821, Konstanz's bishopric, the largest in

neo-Gothic
architectural style.

In 1955

Basilica Minor
. A restoration program of the Cathedral’s interior as well as exterior started in 1962 and was expected to be completed by 2010. In 1966, twelve new bells were cast and hung in the center tower and the ridge turret, a present from the state of Baden-Württemberg.

  • The façade in 1840
    The façade in 1840
  • Plan of the cathedral
    Plan of the cathedral
  • St Maurice's Rotunda
    St Maurice's Rotunda

References

  1. ^ Paul Corby Finney (2017). The Eerdmans Encyclopedia of Early Christian Art and Archaeology, Volume 1. William B Eerdmans. p. 354.

External links

47°39′48″N 9°10′35″E / 47.66333°N 9.17639°E / 47.66333; 9.17639