Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary (Chur)
The St. Mary's Assumption Cathedral in Chur , Canton of Graubünden , Switzerland , is the episcopal church of the Diocese of Chur named after the Assumption of Mary and has the address Hof 18, 7000 Chur. The residence of the Chur bishop, the Episcopal Palace , is located in the courtyard of the cathedral directly opposite.
history
The diocese of Chur was established in the 4th century in the territory of Churrätien . A bishop of the diocese of Chur was first mentioned in a document in 451/452. It can be assumed that the first cathedral was built around the year 450. The diocese, originally subordinate to Milan , was added to the Archdiocese of Mainz in 831 , under which it remained until 1803.
The Chur bishops soon succeeded in consolidating their feudal power. From the 12th century they held the rank of imperial prince. In the course of the Reformation around 1524, the episcopal court became a denominational and political enclave. The court retained this special position as purely episcopal territory independent of the city until the cantonal constitution of 1854. It was not until 1854 that the arrival of Catholic citizens was possible, and from then on the cathedral served as the people's church. In 1880 the cathedral parish of Chur was established.
Building history
The current building of the cathedral was built from 1150 to 1272 as a late Romanesque pillar basilica , the decision to build a new one was made around the time of Bishop Adalgott (1151–1160). According to the state of research, the construction started from the east and extended over several stages, in which piece by piece the previous building gave way to the new building. After around 120 years of construction, the now completed cathedral was consecrated on June 19, 1272.
In 1828/1829, as a result of the court fire of May 13, 1811, the cathedral received its current tower with a curved dome, which was rebuilt on the foundations of the previous tower, built around 1500.
Like a fortified church, the cathedral with the episcopal palace and the canons as a church district sits enthroned on a rock terrace above the old town of Chur. During archaeological excavations, traces of a late Roman fort from the 4th century were found at this location and it is believed that the Romans used the unique location of the rocky promontory as the seat for the leadership of the province of Raetia .
Exterior
The structure of the cathedral, which appears simple from the outside, is closed in a cubic manner. The main portal in the middle of the west facade was built around 1250 and is framed by twelve slender columns on Attic bases. In the tympanum there is a lattice from 1730, which depicts Mary surrounded by the two diocese patrons Lucius and Florinus. Above is the large Romanesque west window.
The eye-catching lion sculpture on the outer northeast corner of the choir dates from the beginning of the 13th century. A fragment of a crucifixion scene from the first third of the 14th century can be found on the outer east wall of the choir above the high Romanesque arched window.
inner space
The nave of the late Romanesque pillar basilica is divided into three large, almost square bays. The elevated choir has the same width as the central nave and is accessible via side stairs. There is a two-part crypt under the choir . The family tombs of the noble ministerial families (von Juvalt, von Castelmur, and others) were located in the crypt. The Friien of Juvalt had their own (now disappeared) altar Corporis Christi in the crypt on the right side of it, on the wall, with the Juvaltische coat of arms removed around 1617. Two aisles are assigned to the central nave, and the Laurentius Chapel adjoins the south aisle in the east. The two-storey sacristy follows it further east .
When looking at the floor plan, a strong asymmetry is noticeable, which is perhaps due to the difficult topographical conditions, but which may also be theologically explainable: the choir bending to the north could symbolize the inclined head of Christ on the cross in the overall context of the floor plan . The architecture of the cathedral contains a multitude of individual solutions that lead to a special spatial impression.
restoration
A total renovation took place from 1921 to 1926. From 2001 to 2007, the cathedral underwent extensive restoration. This focused on the conservation of the building fabric that had grown over the centuries. After seven years of planning and construction, the building was consecrated on October 7, 2007 as part of a service under the direction of Bishop Emeritus Amédée Grab and in the presence of Diocesan Bishop Vitus Huonder and symbolically handed over to the parish and the public. The budget for the restoration work of 22 million francs was met thanks to contributions from the federal government, cantons and church bodies as well as donations from private individuals and companies.
Furnishing
The bud capitals on the stepped portal and the carved high altar (completed in 1492) by Jakob Russ , a sacrament house and a fresco by the Waltensburg master date from the late Gothic period . The chapel of St. Lawrence has a reticulated vault from 1467.
Longobard relief plates (8th century)
The oldest surviving sculpture in the cathedral probably comes from the previous building, the so-called Tello Cathedral. They are relief plates made of white Lasa marble . They date from the 8th century and are considered a masterpiece of Lombard sculpture. They show wickerwork ornaments with animals (lions, etc.) or spiral tendrils with leaves and grapes. Today the panels clad the cafeteria of the Laurentius altar from 1545.
The Romanesque capitals
The Romanesque column capitals were created during the construction of the cathedral. The forms used show different stages of development: from the Romanesque cube capital in the crypt to the early Gothic bud capital at the main portal. The highlight are the figure capitals in the choir and in the eastern nave, masterpieces by Lombard stonemasons whose names have not been passed down.
The Apostle Columns
The four apostle columns are among the most outstanding sculptures of the Middle Ages. Together with the lion rider in the crypt and the two guardian lions at the choir entrance, they probably come from a lettner-like structure above the cross altar (around 1220). The apostle columns are now at the entrance to the crypt, their master is not known by name.
The late Gothic tabernacle
As a late Gothic masterpiece, the tabernacle is one of the most important works of this genre in Switzerland. The delicate work of art bears the year 1484 and a coat of arms of Bishop Ortlieb von Brandis (1458–1491). The work is attributed to master mason Claus von Feldkirch.
Gothic wall paintings
An important Gothic cycle of paintings, consisting of several layers of paint, is located in the west yoke of the north aisle. The older part of the paintings from around 1330–40 is attributed to the Waltensburg master . The crucifixion of Christ forms the center of the arched field, to the left of it there is the rare motif of a Virgin Mary's power to act. The frescoes are only fragmentary in the upper quarter and can only be seen there as a preliminary drawing. The cycle of pictures on the lower left edge of the arch field is less elaborate and probably comes from the Rhäzüns master (turn of the 15th century). The fragment above, a Last Judgment, comes from the post-Reformation period (16th / 17th century).
Altarpieces
Several valuable altarpieces painted on wood (late medieval representations of saints) were stolen from the cathedral on the night of October 6th to 7th, 1993, the burglars damaged other works of art. After more than four years of international manhunt, Carabinieri secured the stolen property in Emilia-Romagna on Easter 1998 .
17th century ceiling decoration
The ceiling paintings in the side aisles date from the 17th century. The east yokes were designed in the first third of the 17th century in the graceful design language of the early Renaissance, the Flugi Chapel in the south west yoke is decorated in the style of the Italian Baroque. The two central aisle bays received their ceiling decoration in the last quarter of the 17th century, probably by Johann Christoph Guserer († 1707).
Organs
Chur Cathedral has two organs , both of which were rebuilt in 2007 by two different Swiss workshops.
Main organ
At first glance, the main organ stands out due to its special architectural design. Its housing consists of two towers that stand directly on the floor of the nave. In reverse of the conventional principle, the gallery is supported here by the organ. The magnificent west window of the cathedral remains completely free. About a third of the 3244 pipes come from the original Goll organ from 1887. The new instrument was built by Orgelbau Kuhn AG on the sound characteristics of this material . The organ is housed in a case made of dark-stained service tree. It has a total height of 11.63 meters and a total weight of 15.2 tons (without gallery). The instrument has 41 stops (plus 2 transmissions) on 3 manuals and pedal . The game actions are mechanical, the stop actions are equipped as a double stop. The large organ was donated by EMS-Chemie AG as part of the most recent cathedral renovation.
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- Coupling : II / I, III / I (also as super octave coupling), III / II, I / P, II / P, III / P (also as super octave coupling)
- Playing aids: crescendo step with two programs, setting system, USB interface
Choir organ
The choir organ is located on the south wall in the cathedral's high choir. Its modern designed prospect stands out strongly against the historical background and its objectivity emphasizes the musical inner workings of the instrument, which was newly built by Späth Orgelbau AG (Rapperswil). The eight registers of the organ, distributed over two manuals and pedal, give the impression of an organ comprising eleven registers thanks to two preliminary prints and a transmission. They are baroque and, in terms of their ideal sound, form a counterpoint to the main organ. The actions are mechanical. The instrument is equipped with a tremulant that affects the entire work. The instrument includes 624 pipes.
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- Coupling : II / I, I / P, II / P
Bells
Today's bells date from 1821 and 1977.
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No. |
Name (position) |
Casting year |
Foundry, casting location |
Diameter (mm) |
Mass (kg, approx.) |
Percussive ( HT - 1 / 16 ) |
| 1 | St. Lucius and Martha bell | 1822 | Jakob Grassmayr , Feldkirch | 1,865 | 3,892 | as 0 +4 |
| 2 | Karl Borromeo, Flurinus, Beatus Bell | 1,468 | 1,898 | c 1 +1 | ||
| 3 | Agatha, angelus bell | 1,192 | 1,016 | it 1 +4 | ||
| 4th | Mary Bell | 1977 | Rüetschi AG , Aarau | 1,151 | 914 | f 1 +4 |
| 5 | Rosary bell (plague bell) | 1821 | Jakob Grassmayr, Feldkirch | 945 | 506 | as 1 +6 |
| 6th | Georg (gentlemen's bell) | 744 | 247 | c 2 +4 |
literature
- Hermann Schlapp: The cathedral of Chur: an introduction , cathedral foundation; Chur 2009, ISBN 978-3-905342-39-0 .
- Jutta Betz, Gregor Peda: Cathedral of St. Mary's Assumption in Chur: Diocese of Chur, Canton of Graubünden , Peda Art Publishing House; Passau 2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 .
- Dieter Matti: Old Pictures - Newly Interpreted, Church Art in the Passland , Volume 3; Desertina, Chur 2012, ISBN 978-3-85637-370-2 , pp. 11-14.
Web links
- History of the Chur Cathedral on the website of the Diocese of Chur
Individual evidence
- ↑ Jutta Betz: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chur. Peda art guide No. 738/2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 , p. 2.
- ^ Website of the cathedral parish of Chur
- ↑ Guido Vasella: The Cathedral of Chur. Schnell-Kunstführer No. 600 (1954), 10th edition 1994, p. 3
- ↑ Jutta Betz: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chur. Peda art guide No. 738/2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 , p. 2.
- ↑ Guido Vasella: The Cathedral of Chur. Schnell-Kunstführer No. 600 (1954), 10th edition 1994, p. 3
- ^ Hermann Schlapp: The Cathedral of Chur - Festschrift for the reopening 2007. Chur 2007, ISBN 978-3-905342-39-0 , p. 21
- ↑ Jutta Betz: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chur. Peda art guide No. 738/2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 , p. 6
- ^ Hermann Schlapp: The Cathedral of Chur - Festschrift for the reopening 2007. Chur 2007, ISBN 978-3-905342-39-0 , p. 13
- ↑ Jutta Betz: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chur. Peda art guide No. 738/2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 , p. 6 f.
- ↑ Fortunat von Juvalta: Brief display of the origin and nobility of the ancient, respected tribe of JUVALT. Chur 1777. StAGR T 225.016 (IV 25 e2).
- ↑ Jutta Betz: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chur. Peda art guide No. 738/2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 , p. 8 f.
- ↑ Jutta Betz: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chur. Peda art guide No. 738/2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 , p. 2
- ↑ Restored Chur Cathedral inaugurated on swissinfo.ch on October 7, 2007, accessed on August 2, 2012.
- ↑ Switzerland: Chur cathedral as new. Vatican Radio on October 3, 2007, accessed on August 2, 2012.
- ↑ Jutta Betz: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chur. Peda Art Guide No. 738/2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 , pp. 9, 44
- ↑ Jutta Betz: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chur. Peda art guide No. 738/2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 , p. 10 ff.
- ↑ Jutta Betz: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chur. Peda art guide No. 738/2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 , p. 14
- ↑ Jutta Betz: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chur. Peda art guide No. 738/2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 , p. 15
- ↑ Jutta Betz: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chur. Peda art guide No. 738/2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 , p. 16 f.
- ↑ Chur: Sacred and art theft cleared up. Notice of July 15, 1998 on the website of the Cantonal Police of Graubünden, accessed on August 2, 2012.
- ↑ Jutta Betz: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chur. Peda art guide No. 738/2009, ISBN 978-3-89643-738-9 , p. 19 f.
- ↑ Description of the instrument on the Orgelbau Kuhn AG website, accessed on August 2, 2012.
- ^ Media release from Ems-Chemie dated September 5, 2006, on the Orgelbau Kuhn website, accessed on December 30, 2015.
- ↑ organ portrait on the website of Späth organ building, accessed December 30, 2015.
- ^ Information from Cathedral Music Director Andreas Jetter .
- ↑ Hermann Schlapp: The Cathedral of Chur. Festschrift for the reopening. Chur 2007, ISBN 978-3-905342-39-0 , pp. 19ff.
Coordinates: 46 ° 50 '51.7 " N , 9 ° 32' 7.4" E ; CH1903: 759905 / 190,641