Gothic Portals and Tympana

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The transition from the late Romanesque to the Gothic style is visible. The three Gothic portals of the western facade seem influenced by the Gothic cathedrals from northern France. The tympanum of the central portal depicts the "Last Judgment", a "traditional" theme, as this can often found on Romanesque tympana. The tympanum is densely populated and delicately carved. Tombs open on the lowest tier, while above them souls go to heaven (left) or enter the "Mouth of Hell" (right). Christ is flanked by angels, who hold the "Arma Christi". The icon "Instruments of the Passion" got popular during the 13th century.

Villeneuve-l’Archevêque was founded by the Archbishop of Sens in the second half of the 12th century. The town was built on a checkerboard plan and protected by a wall. All the straight and wide streets were aligned parallel. Two transverse lanes and a few alleys, connect the parallel streets. Due to hostile feudal neighbours, fearing the loss of political power, the start was pretty difficult. It was supported by the Archbishop of Sens Guillaume aux Blanches Mains, whose brother was the Count of Champagne. Villeneuve experienced a certain economic success. In 1177, the king allowed the establishment of a market there. A hall was built to house the stalls and two fairs were established here. Notre-Dame dates from the time, when the village was founded. The church was largely remodelled in the 13th century with its Gothic nave, then in the 16th century, with the reconstruction of the transept and the choir in 1530-1540. Its remarkable north portal is an exceptional example of 13th-century Gothic artwork, centred around the "Coronation of the Virgin", a "young" Gothic icon, as most Romanesque tympana were connected to the "Last Judgement". It is believed that the first "coronation" was carved in Senlis around 1170. The trumeau has the Virgin and Child. Little Jesus got beheaded during the Revolution.

The Dom (= Cathedral) in Wetzlar is not really a cathedral, as it was never seat of a bishop. The construction began in 1230 and the church is is still unfinished (see the tower). Because of its long period of construction, the church combines Romanesque, Gothic and even Baroque architecture. When it was built, it replaced an older Romanesque church from the 12th century of which some parts got integrated in the new church. The Wetzlar-Dom has been used as a simultaneum by both Roman Catholics and Protestants since the 16th century. This Gothic portal got later bricked up. The tympanum has the "Coronation of Mary", a very popular icon since early Gothic times. Below is the "Adoration of the Magi".

The construction of St. Sebaldus, named after a legendary 8th-century hermit, now the patron saint of Nuremberg, began in 1225 about two decades before the building of St. Lorenz (prev. uploads) started only about 300 meters west. That probably caused a kind of rivalry. Both churches are clearly influenced by the Bamberg Cathedral. When St. Sebaldus was completed in 1273/75 this was a Romanesque basilica. Only decades later important changes started: the side aisles got demolished and were replaced by wider Gothic ones (1309-1345). The Gothic chancel was built (1358-1379) - and a century later the two towers were added. When carpet bombings end of World War II destroyed the old town of Nuremberg, St. Sebaldus got seriously damaged. At that time most of the valuable interior (incl. stained glass windows) had been taken out - and so got saved. The rebuilding of the church started still in the 1940s, the (re-)consecration took place in 1957. St. Sebaldus has been a Lutheran parish church since the Reformation. The tympanum over the side portal depicts the Death and the "Coronation of the Virgin", a very popular icon since early Gothic times (eg. Senlis, Poitiers, Chartres..) www.sebalduskirche.de/

In Laon, placed on a ridge and overlooking the flat Picardy plain, St. Remi founded a bishopric in 487. Laon was a very important place in the kingdom of the Franks. A Carolingian cathedral, consecrated in 800 in the presence of Charlemagne, existed here. The Carolingian structure got replaced two centuries later by a Romanesque structure, consecrated in 1071. This cathedral was torched by the citizens during the Easter Insurrection on 25 April 1112. Bishop Waldric (aka "Gaudry"), who had served as Lord Chancellor and Lord Keeper of England, from 1103 to 1107 (and described as greedy and very violent) was killed during the uproar. The cathedral got repaired, but in the end demolished to give room for the present cathedral. The construction began about 1160. The nave was completed after 1205. The "Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Laon", towering over the town, is a wonderful, early example of the Gothic style that developed in Northern France. The tympanum of the western facade´s right portal depicts the Last Judgement. The artists created this very common subject in the new, smooth Gothic style. The apostles flank Christ, graves open below them, angels are all around the archivolts together with martyrs and crowned kings. Are they the Elders of the Apocalypse? Note that on the right side a king, a bishop and an abbot are led to hell.

The "Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Noyon" is, like the just seen cathedral in Laon, obe of the early Gothic churches in Northern France. The building process started in 1145,so this structure is probably the second oldest Gothic cathedral in France (Sens may be a decade older). It replaced a Romanesque church, that had burnt down in 1131. The cathedral was the seat of the Bishopric of Noyon upto 1801. It got severely damaged during the French Revolution. The structure was "propriété nationale" after the revolution and it was tried to sell it. As nobody was interested in the church, it was used by the parish again from 1799 on. During WWI the cathedral got bombed. The burning roof structure collapsed and large parts of the vaulting got destroyed on 1. April 1918. It took decades to rebuilt and restore the cathedral. One of the facade´s portals. The hammers of the furious revolutionists did not leave anything. No carvings around the archivolts, no tympanum, no jamb statues. Just empty places.

Maulbronn Monastery was founded in 1147. The church, built in a style transitional from Romanesque to Gothic, was consecrated in 1178. Most other buildings followed within the 13th century. The complex is believed to be one of the the best-preserved medieval Cistercian monastery complex north of the Alpes (some claim "in Europe"). Since 1993 Maulbronn is part of the Unesco World Heritage. After the consecration, a large narthex was added to the church. This narthex ("Paradies") is done in a really remarkable architectural, early gothic style. The narthex was planned and built before 1200 probably by a genius, who had experiences from Northern France and Burgundy. The monastery had all the cistercian connections, so it was easy to find a "top architect". His name is not known, so the title-name given to him is "Meister des Maulbronner Paradieses" (Master of Maulbronn Paradise). He created not only the narthex, but as well parts of the cloister and the refectorium. so we will meet him again. After completing his job in Maulbronn he turned northeast. His typical works can be found as well in Halberstadt and in Magdeburg, but here is, where he started his career in Germany. The central portal, leading from the "Paradies" into the church. The wooden doors, which are still partly covered by (old) leather and all the iron works were fabricated in 1200. More details of these doors will follow...

The Dom (= Cathedral) in Wetzlar is not really a cathedral, as it was never seat of a bishop. The construction began in 1230 and the church is is still unfinished (see the tower). Because of its long period of construction, the church combines Romanesque, Gothic and even Baroque architecture. When it was built, it replaced an older Romanesque church from the 12th century of which some parts got integrated in the new church. The Wetzlar-Dom has been used as a simultaneum by both Roman Catholics and Protestants since the 16th century. The Gothic portal of the (uncompleted) bell tower in bright sunlight.

Colomby, known as "Columbeio"in medieval times, has this large Gothic church, dedicated to Saint George. It was built within the 13th/14th century. The late Romanesque tympanum in the Gothic side portal probably came from another, older building and probably got "recycled" here. The end buds of the spirals may have looked like "Fleur-de-lis" - and so they got chiselled off in Revolutionary times.

The area around the modern Altamura (pop 70.000) was inhabited in early times. There are Bronze Age tumuli and between the 6th and the 3rd century BC a massive line of megalithic walls was erected. This (later Roman) city was inhabited until the 10th century when it was reportedly looted by Saracens. A couple of centuries after Altamura was reportedly looted by the Saracens, it started to be inhabited again as Emperor Frederick II refounded the city (1232) and ordered the construction of the large Altamura Cathedral, which became one of the most venerated sanctuaries in Apulia. Altamura was ruled by various feudal families, including the Orsini del Balzo and the Farnese (1538–1734), the latter responsible for the construction of numerous palaces and churches. In the past, Altamura also had a large castle, whose construction dated back to the 11th-13th century, which has been completely demolished. Altamura Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) was founded by Emperor Frederick II in 1232. In 1248, under pressure from Frederick, Pope Innocent IV declared Altamura exempt from the jurisdiction of the bishop of Bari, making it a "palatine church", that is the equivalent of a palace chapel. After heavy damage caused by an earthquake in 1316, it was renovated by Robert of Anjou. Major changes were made to the cathedral in 1534, including switching the front and back around! The cathedral's main facade originally faced west but it now faces east. The (breathtaking) attraction of Altamura Cathedral is its main portal, which has been dated to the 14th and 15th centuries. It is Gothic, but in an unusual local style with Byzantine and strong Romanesque influences. I would even see this as "Romanesque/Gothic". It is remarkable for its wealth of details and a large number of biblical scenes. The tympanum above the lintel, that depicts the Last Supper, is the crowned and enthroned Virgin holding Jesus, flanked by angels. The small scenes on the sides show left the Flagellation and the Betrayal, right the Marriage at Cana (?) and ???.

The area around the modern Altamura (pop 70.000) was inhabited in early times. There are Bronze Age tumuli and between the 6th and the 3rd century BC a massive line of megalithic walls was erected. This (later Roman) city was inhabited until the 10th century when it was reportedly looted by Saracens. A couple of centuries after Altamura was reportedly looted by the Saracens, it started to be inhabited again as Emperor Frederick II refounded the city (1232) and ordered the construction of the large Altamura Cathedral, which became one of the most venerated sanctuaries in Apulia. Altamura was ruled by various feudal families, including the Orsini del Balzo and the Farnese (1538–1734), the latter responsible for the construction of numerous palaces and churches. In the past, Altamura also had a large castle, whose construction dated back to the 11th-13th century, which has been completely demolished. Altamura Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) was founded by Emperor Frederick II in 1232. In 1248, under pressure from Frederick, Pope Innocent IV declared Altamura exempt from the jurisdiction of the bishop of Bari, making it a "palatine church", that is the equivalent of a palace chapel. After heavy damage caused by an earthquake in 1316, it was renovated by Robert of Anjou. Major changes were made to the cathedral in 1534, including switching the front and back around! The cathedral's main facade originally faced west but it now faces east. The (breathtaking) attraction of Altamura Cathedral is its main portal, which has been dated to the 14th and 15th centuries. It is Gothic, but in an unusual local style with Byzantine and strong Romanesque influences. I would even see this as "Romanesque/Gothic". It is remarkable for its wealth of details and a large number of biblical scenes.

Mallorca is the largest island in the Mediterranean Balearic Islands, which are part of Spain. Mallorca is an extremely popular holiday destination. The Palma de Mallorca Airport, one of the busiest in Spain, is used by about 30 million tourists per year. Palma is the political and economic center of the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands. Palma is a Roman foundation from the time the island was occupied by the Roman Empire in 123 BC. Almost half of the island´s population of more than 890.000 today live in Palma. From Between 902 and 1229 the city was under Islamic control. It was conquered after three months of siege in December 1229 by the troops of James I of Aragon ( aka "Jaume el Conqueridor"). Palma became the capital of the Kingdom of Majorca. After Jame´s death, Palma became joint capital of the Kingdom, together with Perpignan. The Aragonese expanded the city, so that at its heyday in the 16th century it had around 40,000 inhabitants. San Miquel was built after the Reconquista from 1229 on the site of the great mosque of Madina Mayurqa. In 1390 a larger new building was built in the Gothic style. The single-nave church has a Gothic portal begun in 1398 by the Pere de Sant Joan. The tympanum has the Virgin with the Child and two angels. The most interesting statue is on the left. The sculpture depicts Ramon Llull. Ramon Llull (1232 – 1315) was a mathematician, polymath, philosopher, logician, writer from the Kingdom of Mallorca. He is credited with writing the first major work of Catalan literature and considered a pioneer of computation theory, especially given his influence on Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Since his first writings, there has been confusion regarding whether he was a saint or a heretic. Spanish King Philipp II. was fond of his work and used parts of it in the creation of the Monasterio del Escorial. Prior to that, Llull was considered a heretic by most. Llull's works were prohibited by the Spanish Inquisition. Llull urged the study of Arabic and other languages in Europe. He travelled through Europe to meet with popes, kings, and princes, trying to establish colleges to prepare future missionaries. In 1276 a language school for Franciscan missionaries was founded at Miramar. About 1291 he went to Tunis, preached to the Saracens, disputed with them in philosophy. He returned in 1308. He finally achieved his goal of linguistic education in 1311 when the Council of Vienne ordered the creation of chairs of Hebrew, Arabic and Aramaic at the universities of Bologna, Oxford, Paris, and Salamanca. In 1314, at the age of 82, he travelled again to North Africa where he was stoned by an angry crowd of Muslims in Tunis. Merchants took him back to Mallorca, where he died in Palma the following year. Within the Franciscan Order Llull is honoured as a martyr. He was beatified in 1847 by Pope Pius IX.

Mallorca is the largest island in the Mediterranean Balearic Islands, which are part of Spain. Mallorca is an extremely popular holiday destination. The Palma de Mallorca Airport, one of the busiest in Spain, is used by about 30 million tourists per year. Palma is the political and economic center of the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands. Palma is a Roman foundation from the time the island was occupied by the Roman Empire in 123 BC. Almost half of the island´s population of more than 890.000 today live in Palma. From Between 902 and 1229 the city was under Islamic control. It was conquered after three months of siege in December 1229 by the troops of James I of Aragon ( aka "Jaume el Conqueridor"). Palma became the capital of the Kingdom of Majorca. After Jame´s death, Palma became joint capital of the Kingdom, together with Perpignan. The Aragonese expanded the city, so that at its heyday in the 16th century it had around 40,000 inhabitants. The foundation stone for the cathedral was laid in 1230 by King James I of Aragon (Jaume el Conqueridor) after the conquest of Mallorca in 1229. It was erected in the Catalan Gothic style on the site of a former mosque. Under Jaume II, the son of the conqueror, the actual construction of the cathedral began in 1306 from the main apse. The nave was completed in 1587, the main portal was consecrated in 1601. Work on the main facade began in 1852 and was not finished until the beginning of the 20th century. The cathedral is 109.50 m long and 33 meters wide, the main nave measures 75.50 m length and 19.50 m width. The main nave is 44 m high, which is higher than the nave of Notre Dame de Paris (33m) and Notre-Dame d'Amiens (42m), but lower than the nave of Saint-Pierre de Beauvais, with a height of 48m the highest of all Gothic cathedrals. The central portal.

León was founded in 68 AD for a Roman legion from which they were supposed to pacify the rebellious mountain dwellers of Asturias and Cantabria. The name of the settlement that was then developed is based on a refined form of the Latin word "legio". After the end of the Roman Empire, the city was conquered by the Visigoths and in 712 by the Moors. In 856, after the reconquest under King Ordoño I of Asturias, the city was repopulated. Ordoño II made León the capital of his kingdom of León in 914. Sacked by Almanzor in about 987, the city was reconstructed and repopulated by Alfonso V, León was an important stop on the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. Traders and artisans settled in the suburbs and had a strong influence on the development of the city from the 13th century onwards. In the early Middle Ages, the city became prosperous through the cattle trade. However, from the 16th century until the 19th century, the economy and population declined. The main construction period of the cathedral was between 1255 and 1303. The first architect was "Master Enrique", who had previously built the transept and nave of Burgos Cathedral between 1243 and 1260. "Master Enrique" directed the construction from 1255 to 1277, using Reims Cathedral as a model. The experience he gained in Burgos prompted him to take a risk, which paid off centuries later, as many openings later had to be bricked up for stability reasons. In the middle of the 19th century, the structure was on the verge of collapse and had to be completely restored. Reconstruction lasted from 1859 to 1901. In 1302, the work was apparently stopped, probably for financial reasons. This may also be the reason for the comparatively short nave with only five bays, for the lack of a tower in the transept. The upper parts of the cathedral were not completed until 1439. The five-part porch on the west façade was built in the mid to late 13th century. The design of this sophisticated three-portal complex was based on the most important model of the time, the transept portals of Chartres Cathedral. Below - the death of Mary Above - the coronation of Mary

León was founded in 68 AD for a Roman legion from which they were supposed to pacify the rebellious mountain dwellers of Asturias and Cantabria. The name of the settlement that was then developed is based on a refined form of the Latin word "legio". After the end of the Roman Empire, the city was conquered by the Visigoths and in 712 by the Moors. In 856, after the reconquest under King Ordoño I of Asturias, the city was repopulated. Ordoño II made León the capital of his kingdom of León in 914. Sacked by Almanzor in about 987, the city was reconstructed and repopulated by Alfonso V, León was an important stop on the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. Traders and artisans settled in the suburbs and had a strong influence on the development of the city from the 13th century onwards. In the early Middle Ages, the city became prosperous through the cattle trade. However, from the 16th century until the 19th century, the economy and population declined. The main construction period of the cathedral was between 1255 and 1303. The first architect was "Master Enrique", who had previously built the transept and nave of Burgos Cathedral between 1243 and 1260. "Master Enrique" directed the construction from 1255 to 1277, using Reims Cathedral as a model. The experience he gained in Burgos prompted him to take a risk, which paid off centuries later, as many openings later had to be bricked up for stability reasons. In the middle of the 19th century, the structure was on the verge of collapse and had to be completely restored. Reconstruction lasted from 1859 to 1901. In 1302, the work was apparently stopped, probably for financial reasons. This may also be the reason for the comparatively short nave with only five bays, for the lack of a tower in the transept. The upper parts of the cathedral were not completed until 1439.

León was founded in 68 AD for a Roman legion from which they were supposed to pacify the rebellious mountain dwellers of Asturias and Cantabria. The name of the settlement that was then developed is based on a refined form of the Latin word "legio". After the end of the Roman Empire, the city was conquered by the Visigoths and in 712 by the Moors. In 856, after the reconquest under King Ordoño I of Asturias, the city was repopulated. Ordoño II made León the capital of his kingdom of León in 914. Sacked by Almanzor in about 987, the city was reconstructed and repopulated by Alfonso V, León was an important stop on the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. Traders and artisans settled in the suburbs and had a strong influence on the development of the city from the 13th century onwards. In the early Middle Ages, the city became prosperous through the cattle trade. However, from the 16th century until the 19th century, the economy and population declined. The main construction period of the cathedral was between 1255 and 1303. The first architect was "Master Enrique", who had previously built the transept and nave of Burgos Cathedral between 1243 and 1260. "Master Enrique" directed the construction from 1255 to 1277, using Reims Cathedral as a model. The experience he gained in Burgos prompted him to take a risk, which paid off centuries later, as many openings later had to be bricked up for stability reasons. In the middle of the 19th century, the structure was on the verge of collapse and had to be completely restored. Reconstruction lasted from 1859 to 1901. In 1302, the work was apparently stopped, probably for financial reasons. This may also be the reason for the comparatively short nave with only five bays, for the lack of a tower in the transept. The upper parts of the cathedral were not completed until 1439. Angels and musicians

Palencia was called Pallantia in ancient times and was the capital of a Celtiberian tribe. Palencia probably became the seat of a bishop as early as the 3rd century, and the city experienced its first heyday under the Visigoths in the 6th and 7th centuries. In the 8th century, the Arab-Moorish armies conquered the area around Palencia. In the 11th century the city was reconquered by the Christians (reconquista). The greatest supporter at the beginning of the 13th century was the Castilian King Alfonso VIII. Already during his lifetime, but mainly after his death (1214), the existing cathedral school was converted into one of the first universities in Europe. The Cathedral was built from 1172 to 1504 and stands over a Visigothic crypt. It is more than 130 metres long, 42 metres high and 50 metres wide at the centre, making it one of the largest cathedrals in Spain. The tower, 55 meters in height was once a military tower, and after serving this function got some Gothic adornments.

Palencia was called Pallantia in ancient times and was the capital of a Celtiberian tribe. Palencia probably became the seat of a bishop as early as the 3rd century, and the city experienced its first heyday under the Visigoths in the 6th and 7th centuries. In the 8th century, the Arab-Moorish armies conquered the area around Palencia. In the 11th century the city was reconquered by the Christians (reconquista). The greatest supporter at the beginning of the 13th century was the Castilian King Alfonso VIII. Already during his lifetime, but mainly after his death (1214), the existing cathedral school was converted into one of the first universities in Europe. The Cathedral was built from 1172 to 1504 and stands over a Visigothic crypt. It is more than 130 metres long, 42 metres high and 50 metres wide at the centre, making it one of the largest cathedrals in Spain.