Bamberg - Cathedral

Since 1007, when Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich II (Henry II) made Bamberg the seat of a diocese, the Bamberg Cathedral ("Bamberger Dom St. Peter und St. Georg") is the seat of the Archbishop of Bamberg.

The first cathedral on this place, founded in 1004 by Heinrich II and named "Heinrichsdom", got consecrated already in 1012. This building got destroyed by fire in 1085. Around 1215 the construction of the building seen here started. It was commisioned by Bishop Eckbert von Andechs-Meranien, brother of Hedwig von Andechs (aka Hedwig of Silesia). The new cathedral consecrated in 1237.


Between 1225 and 1237 the the lifesize "Bamberger Reiter" ("Bamberg Horseman") was created by an unkown master, probably coming from France. Since the consecration it has been on the same place, located on a console at the north pillar of the St. George choir.

The large sculpture, only partly visible here, (see previous upload) is considered the first monumental equestrian statue since classical antiquity, and one of the first to depict horse shoes. The sculpture is supported by two corbels. While the left one is just plain - the right one depicts the foliate head of a "Green Man".

John Ibbotson just recently drew my attention to this corbel!
Thank you!