Monday 9 August 2010
What follows is a virtual tour of Stefansdom Kirche, Stefans Platz, Vienna, Österreich.
Courtesy of Dr. O
Stefansdom is a beautiful display of early medieval-era Romanesque architecture and style. It was built during the 12th Century. It was named Stefansdom because without a Bishop it could not be considered a Cathedral. About a century later the church needed to be modernized and Vienna began to rebuild Saint Stephan’s in late medieval Gothic style. The 13th century face-lift of the church began at the east tower and moved construction clockwise towards the west. However the south tower remained un-altered and looks as it did upon the initial completion of the tower in 1350. The remodel and Gothic style ran out of time in the 1500s with the arrival of the Renaissance. However the designated funds for the remodel including a south tower to match the north tower were used elsewhere in the city: for reinforced walls for the city of Vienna.
Across the street from Stefansdom is an ultra modern glass building called the Haas Haus. Many Viennese
opposed the juxtaposition of the old and new especially when tourists began photographing the Haas Haus as enthusiastically as the city’s center and highest tower. The city even contemplated tearing the new building down. I did notice the modern building upon my first trip Stefansplatz but not for its splendor. I was on a mission to catch the splendor of Stefansdom in Haas Haus’ mirrors. The glass house did not mesmerize me but I found the juxtaposition of old and new to be intriguing. The drama of the Haas House is entertaining but it has nothing compared Stefansdom grandiose and splendor. Sure, the walls of the Haas House reflect the world around it, but if the walls of Stefansdom could talk, it would have over 600 years of stories to tell.
The book of Revelation in the Bible talks about bowls that are filled with the prayers of the Saints (Revelation 5:8). Entering Saint Stephans the church dedicated to my namesake saint, I am drawn to the candles that accompany prayers. Every wall has a saint and throughout the crowds of camera-happy tourists are those who stop for a moment to contemplate God or petitioning the Saints to talk to God on their behalf. I want the inside walls to utter a story a two…
The last great Gothic style sculptor Master Antone Pilgram. He is the architect behind the intricate stonework carved out of three sandstone blocks known as Pilgram’s Pulpit (or people’s pulpit, according to those who believe his apprentice finished the piece).
Pilgram crafted Gothic pieces very late in terms of popular Gothic in up until his death in 1516. Pilgrims pulpit is represents a complex style and implements various aspects of the religious times. This design includes the four fathers of the western church: Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, 
Gregory—displaying the four moods or colors of the western Church. The stairs 
leading up to the pulpit also provide a way up for the frogs and toads, which represent evil. However evil’s plans are thwarted by a dog, which represents fidelity and faith (hence the popular canine name Fido). Another piece of Pilgram’s stonework is the organ loft, which the artist bears the weight of on his shoulders nearly 500 years later. Each are signed by the artist in a rather new and unique way—his face in a window—a man proud of his artistry in light of the Renaissance.
Another notable piece in Stefansdom by Pilgram is the tomb of Friedrich III. This piece was in fact finished after Friedrich died and after Pilgram died requiring an apprentice to finish the Gothic tomb.
While the outside streets have old and new standing side by side, the inside of Stefansdom also encases the evolution of history’s styles from Romanesque to Early Gothic, Late Gothic and Baroque. The Stefansdom’s ribbing, walls and art includes simple to complex representing the difference from early to late Medieval periods. The most obvious of the clash of the times is the main altar of the church that has Gothic stained class windows from the 12th Century serving as a backdrop to the ‘more modern’ Baroque altar. Gothic and Baroque both find its place in this medieval church.
It truly is mesmerizing to gaze at the ceiling and stand in the light of the stained glass windows. This church has been here for centuries and has a never-ending cache of told and untold stories. I am truly fortunate to become acquainted with a few.
-slm
No comments:
Post a Comment