Marienschrein

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The Marienschrein (Shrine of Mary) in Aachen Cathedral is a reliquary, donated on the order of the chapter of Mary around 1220 and consecrated in 1239. Along with the Karlsschrein, the artwork, which is from the transitional period between romanesque and gothic, is among the most important goldsmith works of the thirteenth century.

Function

The shrine serves as the container of the four great contact

Form

The shrine takes the form of a single-naved

According to an old tradition, the Marienschrein is sealed with a skilfully manufactured lock, which is then filled with lead. The key is sawn up by master goldsmiths. The head of the key is held by the Cathedral chapter, while the end is taken by the city leaders (the so-called Konkustodienrecht (shared custody arrangement)). At the beginning of each pilgrimage period, however, the lock is broken with a hammer, in order to open the shrine once more.

Restoration

As a result of centuries of wear from pilgrimages and from being carried in processions at those times, the Marienschrein took significant damage. The gilt silver was tarnished, a portion had been lost, another had received only makeshift repairs and had taken many dents, cracks, and holes as a result of the passage of time. Over three thousand parts had to be replaced, cleaned, and repaired. This

• 
  Christ
• 
  Leo III.
• 
  Filigrees and gemstones
• 
  Enamel ornaments
• 
  Padlock with sawed key (residing in the Cathedral Treasury)

Bibliography

• Jürgen Fitschen: Die Goldschmiedeplastik des Marienschreins im Aachener Dom. Eine stilgeschichtliche Untersuchung. Lang, Frankfurt a. M. 1998,
  ISBN 3-631-32584-3
  .
• Dieter P. J. Wynands (Hrsg.): Der Aachener Marienschrein. Eine Festschrift. Einhard-Verlag, Aachen 2000,
  ISBN 3-930701-68-5
  .
• Ernst Günther Grimme: Der Karlsschrein und der Marienschrein im Aachener Dom, Einhard-Verlag, Aachen 2002,
  ISBN 3-936342-01-6
  .
• Helga Giersiepen: Die Inschriften des Aachener Doms (=
  ISBN 3-88226-511-6, S. 37–39 Nr. 35 (Online
  ).